Truck driving in District of Columbia
Most people don't think of the trucking industry when they talk about Washington D.C. In fact, unless it's a slow convoy around the beltway or lining up trucks for protests near the capitol building or the White House, few living in DC think much about trucking. After all, packing some 650,000 people in a small area along with some of the most real estate hogging architecture in the country leads to narrow streets and difficult navigation — especially when those narrow streets are lined on both sides with black SUVs. But if you do give it some thought, it makes perfect sense that the DC trucking industry is alive and well. After all, those big building need upkeep, and every time the House, Senate, or Presidency shifts one way or the other, those convoys exit the beltway and head into the heart of government with all types of goods and materials needed for renovations. You may have to exit left out of that slow convoy, but you may also become a part of history!
Geographic Advantages
The only thing that needs to be mentioned related to the geography of the District of Columbia is not so much its location; rather, it is what is contained within the District — Washington, D.C., that nation’s capital. It’s 61 square miles of land area is home to over 700,000 residents, a population density of over 11,000 per square mile. On weekdays, commuters from surrounding states create a density of over 16,000 per square mile. All those people and the shelter to house them would seem to leave little room for a truck driving industry or truck driver jobs. But again, we are talking about the capital city of the United States. The base of the federal government means the area requires delivery of many supplies for both residents and national and international visitors.
Bordering States/Countries
The District of Columbia borders only two states — Maryland on it its northwest, northeast, and southeast sides and Virginia, located southwest of the District across the Potomac River.
As the economy experiences is ups and downs, the District of Columbia seldom impacts the dramatic shifts experienced elsewhere in the U.S. With imports to the District far exceeding exports, truck driver jobs are frequently with carriers based around the district in Maryland and Virginia.
District of Columbia Deep Water Ports
No public ports are present in the District of Columbia; however, the Potomac River offers access to numerous downstream ports.
Products Moved by Trucks
The District of Columbia doesn’t export many products, as most of its economy is based on the executive level business offices, many U.S. agencies, service occupations, and tourism. Still, imports are vital to such a densely populated area. According to U.S. Census data, primary imports are as follows:
- Collections and collector pieces of zoological species
- Art — paintings, drawings, etc.
- Pacific Salmon
- Peanuts
- Measuring instruments
- Antiques
- Digital Processing Units
- Microtomes products and accessories
- Radioactive elements
- Printing Machinery
District of Columbia’s Highways
For those holding truck driving jobs, it’s important to realize that the District of Columbia is accessed primarily by I-95 and I-66, both from Virginia, the area is encircled by the I-495 beltway along with auxiliary routes inside the beltway. In the District itself, a number of U.S. Highways offer access to the heart of the capital including U.S. 29 from the north, U.S. 1 from the northeast, and U.S. 50 from the east. All routes into the District are heavily traveled and serve as commuter arteries.
For more information on the District of Columbia and its truck driver jobs, visit District of Columbia Trucking Association's Facebook page at facebook.com/DCTA2
Job search faqs
Jobs.TheTrucker.com is one of the leading sources for truck driving and diesel mechanic job listings, and its primary objective is to connect professional drivers and mechanics with jobs. Jobs.TheTrucker.com’s job search functionality is designed to be simple and easy to use, and allows you to search for jobs by state, by carrier and various other search criteria.
Once you apply for a job, we match your qualifications to the appropriate job listings and send your application to the hiring companies immediately.
Jobs.TheTrucker.com’s job search functionality is designed to be simple and easy to use, and allows truck drivers and diesel mechanics to search for jobs by state, by carrier and various other search criteria. When searching for jobs, you may set the search criteria to be as specific or general as you want to find the job that is best for you.
Jobs.TheTrucker.com adds and updates job listings immediately as new truck driving and diesel mechanic job listings are received. So it is best to visit Jobs.TheTrucker.com regularly for updated job listings when in the market for a new truck driving or diesel mechanic job.
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Companies' response time may vary based on the urgency of their hiring needs, the number applications the comppany receives and the resources dedicated to processing applications. Applicants increase their chances of being contacted by applying to all jobs that meet their qualifications.
Carrier may or may not respond to all applications depending on their hiring policies, procedures and driver needs. And, it is possible that a carrier will not respond to applicants if their experience does not match the hiring requirements. Applicants will increase their chances of being contacted by carriers by applying to all jobs that meet their qualifications.
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Along with all truck driving and diesel mechanic job listings, Jobs.TheTrucker.com provides information about all carriers offering jobs in the carrier’s information page. Each carrier’s information page is accessible from the each individual job listing, and from the "Carriers List" in the "Resource" drop down.
A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required to operate large, heavy, or hazardous material vehicles in the US. The “class” of CDL a truck driver needs depends on the type of commercial motor vehicle operated. A truck driver may hold a CDL in one of three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C.
For a detailed explanation of the different classes of CDLs, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.
Driver Type refers to the employment arrangement a driver operates. The most common truck driver arrangements include:
- Company Driver: Drivers employed by a specific carrier with its own fleet of trucks. “Companies” can be carriers that contract to transport other individuals' or companies' freight, or companies that carry their own freight.
- Lease-Purchase: Drivers hired by carriers where the truck is leased to the individual driver.
- Owner Operator (OO): Drivers who own the truck and operate as an independent business (also referred to as an "independent contractor").
- Team Driver: Drivers operating with a partner who shares driving duties.
For a detailed explanation of Driver Types, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.
Hauling Type (or trailer type, or equipment type) refers to the type of cargo being hauled. Different types of cargo materials require different types of trailers, and each type of trailer requires unique driver experience.
For a detailed explanation of Hauling Types, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.
Endorsements are required certifications for CDL holders hauling various types of equipment and freight. The most common endorsements for long haul truck drivers include:
- Doubles/Triples: required for drivers hauling double or triple trailers.
- HazMat: required for transporting hazardous materials.
- Tanker: required for operating a vehicles designed with a permanent or temporary tank attached.
For a detailed explanation of the different types of endorsements, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.
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Finding the right diesel mechanic job requires careful consideration of various factors. Research potential employers’ reputation and culture, evaluate compensation packages, and confirm that long-term growth and advancement opportunities fit with your career goals. Other factors to consider include: your own level of experience, skill and industry specialization vs the job requirements; CDL license requirements; tool requirements; location; training and professional development opportunity; work schedule, flexibility and work-life balance. For key considerations for finding a job as a heavy-duty truck diesel mechanic or technician, visit our Diesel Mechanic Job Resources.
Diesel mechanic certifications represent an industry recognized level of knowledge and expertise in a particular area of diesel engine diagnosis, repair or maintenance. These advanced certifications are offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and enhance a mechanic’s skill set and positively impact their qualifications and salary. Certifications may be obtained in specific areas such as gasoline and diesel engines, drive trains, brakes, suspension and steering, electronics, HVAC and preventative maintenance. For a listing of ASE certifications available specifically for heavy-duty truck mechanics, visit our Diesel Mechanic Job Resources.
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