As the country recovers, more people are getting back on the road and back to work. The need for drivers of all kinds is surging due to increased demand transporting goods, increased consumer preference for prompt delivery, and the ongoing trucking shortage which has only been exacerbated in recent years. Here are some great driving jobs of all kinds which are hiring now.
Delivery Driver for GoPuff
A startup called GoPuff seeks to compete in speedy home and small-business delivery, taking on the likes of Amazon, Wal-Mart, and Instacart. They sell items you’d mostly find at a convenience store, so the job is simple enough. They operate in over 650 US Cities from over 250 fulfillment centers. With a new round of funding, they are launching an aggressive hiring campaign and advertising that new drivers can make $28 per hour, while getting to be home every night. Indeed reports annual earnings of $62,450 per year for delivery drivers with GoPuff, which is significantly above industry peers. Make sure to do your research for more details on GoPuff jobs.
Driving a Truck or Flatbed
Another job offering you may be able to find right now is from CSRT. They are offering signup bonuses of up to $5,000 and annual earnings of up to $80,000 for several different types of truck drivers. These include white-glove delivery service, OTR (long distance), flatbed service, and team trucking jobs among others. The benefits are excellent. A full suite of medical, vision, and dental, as well as 401K, paid holidays, flexible time home, paid vacation and holidays, as well as a generous referral payout of up to $4,000 when you find new drivers. Another company called Andrus is currently offering a generous $3,000 sign up bonus for truck drivers. Note that a special license may be required.
Drive For a Pet Taxi Service
This one is not a joke, but viability may depend upon your location. This works especially well in major cities. One company out of New York lists pricing from downtown to the airport at $150 plus tip & tolls. Apparently busy folk or those who don’t have a car may need such a service to bring their pets to vet appointments. It is also worth noting that many traditional cabbies don’t want dogs in their car. Robert De Niro and his Burmese mountain dog have frequently used the service. Janeane Garofalo, Sean “P.Diddy” Combs and Janet Jackson have been customers as well, according to the New York Post.
Driving a Tanker Truck
If you’re driving anything liquid, chances are you’re driving a tanker truck. Tanker trucks can hold over 9,000 gallons, and reach 26,000 lbs. This is about as much as an average swimming pool. Sometimes your cargo will be hazardous like gasoline or liquid nitrogen, so special rules need to be followed about how and where your cargo is transported. For example, attempts are made to avoid tunnels when they are alternative routes. Due to the extra risks and required precautions inherent to the job, tanker drivers are often very well paid (though they may require special licenses such as a CDL).
Newspaper Delivery
What do Walt Disney, Bob Hope, Alan Bean, Warren Buffet, and Tom Cruise all have in common? They all delivered newspapers in their earlier years. This is a very part-time job, usually around 10 hours per-week. Earnings in some cities can reach over $1,800 a month, which is not bad considering that some routes can be completed in just 90 minutes. The postal worker’s creed of, “neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night,” shall infringe upon the delivery of the mail, and it is likely applicable to newspaper carriers too!
Deliver Meals or Groceries with Your Own Vehicle
Much like the aforementioned start-up GoPuff, Indeed estimates other similar carriers like DoorDash, GrubHub, UberEats, and Instacart drivers can expect to earn in the neighborhood of $45,000 – $65,000 per year. These are excellent earnings considering you get to make your own hours, and for most part, be your own boss. You will work to deliver food to-go from local restaurants and “ghost kitchens,” or will do people’s grocery shopping for them and then drop it off at their house.
Delivery Driver for A Small-Parcel Carrier
A documentary was made in 2008 titled Speedy Delivery about the real life of David Newell, who played Mr. McFeely, the delivery man from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. The last time you received a package from UPS or FedEx, you may have noticed they were being quite speedy as well. It would appear they earn their keep, because Indeed reports their drivers can earn between $77,000 – $85,000 per year.
Vehicle Transport Driver
While you may be hauling a Chevrolet Corvette one day, and a total junker the next, in this line of work you can easily clear $60,000 plus tips. You’ll be responsible for getting the customer’s order to them in a timely manner, and in good shape. Vehicle dealerships are regular customers to this service.
Am I Eligible For These Jobs?
You’ll only need a regular driver’s license when driving for GoPuff or the other app-based services. The same is true when you operate larger in-town trucks that are absent a trailer. Even the larger trucks, some 26-feet, can still be operated with the same license so long as they don’t have a trailer. For the big trucking jobs where there’s a trailer attached to a cab you’ll need a commercial license. This is called a CDL or Class A license.
What If I Don’t Have a Commercial Driver’s License?
Generally, all you need is to be 21 years of age or older, and have a clean driving record. Driving schools will often partner with trucking companies to supply you with truck driver training in conjunction with a job offer. This can even result in being paid to get your license. Be sure to do your research for more details. When paying out of pocket, a CDL can cost up to $6,000.
Conclusion
There are many exciting options for drivers today, with job opportunities suitable for all types of drivers, regardless of prior experience or current driving record. Working independently with GoPuff, DoorDash, or Instacart may provide the most flexibility, and have the lowest barriers to entry. Stepping up to local trucking routes opens up doors for jobs with excellent benefits and consistent hours. Trucking jobs that require a commercial driver’s license will generally offer the most of all. You can expect good pay, a wide range of benefits, and a high potential for earnings growth the more you bring to the table in the trucking world.
Whether you need flexibility, time at home, great pay, reliable benefits, or just part-time work, there’s a potential fit for everyone. Make sure to search around to find the best opportunity for you.