How to Start a Career as a Dump Truck Driver

Written by Staff Writer

If you like hands-on work, predictable routes and a skill-based career path, dump truck driving can be a strong career fit. You can enter the field without a college degree, but you still need the right license, safety knowledge and jobsite habits to be successful.

This guide walks you through the steps to qualify, train and get hired to drive, plus what to expect in a typical workday and how to grow in your career.

What Does a Dump Truck Driver Do?

A driver’s tasks will often look similar from day to day. Expect a typical day to involve:

• Performing a pre-trip vehicle inspection, including tires, lights, brakes and the dump bed.
• Picking up assigned loads and hauling them to and/or from the jobsite.
• Driving to placement areas, dumping safely and confirming the load clears.

Overall, your workday will likely involve running multiple short trips while tracking tickets and staying in touch with dispatch.

Work settings are usually one or a few of these:

• Construction sites
• Quarries or gravel pits
• Asphalt and concrete plants
• Landscaping companies
• Landfills or municipal projects

These jobs are typically local or regional as they involve heavy loads, tight delivery deadlines and repeat runs that are best completed within a defined area.

Requirements to Drive a Dump Truck

If these daily tasks sound like something you could see yourself doing, you may be wondering what steps you need to take to qualify to be a driver. To legally operate a dump truck, you must meet both state requirements and employer policies.

State and Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) Requirements

You must hold the correct license for the truck you drive. Smaller trucks may allow a standard license, while heavier trucks require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

While the exact rules will vary depending on your state and the type of truck you drive, expect to:

• Meet a minimum age (Usually 18 for in-state driving and 21 to cross state lines or haul hazardous materials).
• Possess a valid driver’s license or CDL, based on vehicle weight and configuration.
• Pass a DOT medical exam and hold a medical card when required.

Additionally, employers may also check your DOT drug and alcohol compliance, especially for CDL roles.

Employer Requirements

Meeting your state’s requirements is just the first step. To get hired, you also must meet the standards that employers look for. This will vary between companies, but expect potential employers to conduct:

• Clean motor vehicle record checks, often focused on moving violations, crashes, suspensions and DUIs.
• Drug and alcohol testing, commonly done pre-employment, randomly, post-accident and if there is a reasonable suspicion.
• Background checks and employment verification, depending on the company and contract requirements.

Employers mainly screen to assess risk and reliability, especially as drivers operate company-owned vehicles around workers, on busy jobsites and on public roads.

Understanding Dump Truck Weight Ratings and CDL Options

The CDL class you need depends on the dump truck’s weight rating and whether you will tow a trailer. Vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more require a CDL. A GCWR is the truck’s maximum rated weight, which includes the weight of the truck, fuel, driver, cargo and any equipment.

• Class A: This allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 pounds or more, including a trailer or towed vehicle that weighs more than 10,000 pounds.
• Class B: This class allows you to drive a single vehicle with either no trailer or a lightweight trailer that does not exceed a GVWR of 10,000 pounds. This is the most common for drivers who strictly drive dump trucks, as many single-unit dump trucks fall into this category.

The CDL class you choose depends on your career goals. Class A licenses are more difficult to obtain as they require further training, testing, and the ability to maneuver larger and more complex vehicles. However, they give you broader career opportunities, as they also allow you to drive vehicles covered by Class B and Class C CDLs. If you want to focus on driving dump trucks alone, a Class B license will meet your needs.

Some smaller operations, such as landscaping companies, may only use medium-sized trucks that don’t go over the GVWR that requires a CDL. However, having a CDL allows you more flexibility if a larger truck or equipment is needed for certain jobs.

Pay, Benefits and Career Growth

If you want steady money in trucking, dump work can deliver. But your paycheck will change based on where, when and what you run.

What Drives Earnings

Many variables affect your prospects, but the main factors include:

• Where you work. Pay often rises near major cities and large construction markets.
• Hours and overtime. Many dump jobs involve early starts and long days. Overtime policies can allow you to earn more than your base rate.
• Weather and season. In many states, winter slows demand. In warm climates, work stays more consistent.
• Union vs. non-union. Union roles come with defined pay scales and benefits. Non-union roles can pay well, but rates and raises vary by company.
• What you haul. Asphalt, demolition debris, contaminated or hazardous materials and specialized aggregate work may pay more due to cleanup time and handling rules.

You can level up by adding endorsements, moving into specialized hauling or heavier equipment, taking a lead driver or trainer role or becoming an owner-operator.

Typical Benefits

Before you accept a job, ask what the company covers and when coverage starts. Many full-time positions include benefits such as:

• Health insurance options for you and sometimes your family.
• Retirement plan and employer contributions in some cases.
• Paid time off (PTO), holidays and sick time policies.
• Safety and performance bonuses.
• Work gear allowances and paid training on site.

When comparing companies or competing offers, be sure to look beyond the hourly rate. A lower-paying company with better benefits can outpace a higher-paying one with few or no benefits.

How to Get Licensed and Start Working in Five Steps

These five steps give you the foundation you need to go from interested beginner to job-ready dump truck driver.

1. Get a Commercial Learner’s Permit

Start at your state’s licensing agency. You will complete the application, pass the written knowledge tests, meet medical requirements and earn your CLP to start training legally with a qualified driver.

2. Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT)

Once you have your CLP in hand, enroll in an approved ELDT program for your CDL class. You must finish the required classroom topics and behind-the-wheel training before you can take the CDL skills test.

3. Build Practical Skills

Make the most of your permit time by practicing common maneuvers such as backing, making tight turns, controlling speed on short runs, safe dumping procedures and jobsite awareness around crews and equipment.

4. Pass the Skills Test

Schedule your CDL skills test once you consistently complete the pre-trip inspection, master basic control maneuvers and feel comfortable driving without coaching. Be sure to bring the right vehicle and paperwork to your appointment.

5. Get Ready for Your First Weeks on the Job

Your first weeks will focus on safety, pace and reliability. Ask to accompany seasoned drivers on ride-alongs to learn the dispatching process, site rules and common routes so you can start your career with confidence.

Going Further

To stand out to employers and incorporate safety from day one, consider adding the OSHA Education Center Dump Truck Certification Training course to your career prep. It is self-paced, 100% online and provides a printable certificate and wallet card after you pass the exams. This shows employers that you have gone the extra mile and are taking jobsite safety seriously, even before climbing into the cab.