How To Become A p & D Driver: What It Is and Career Path

What is a p & d driver and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A P & D driver operates a tractor-trailer and other commercial vehicles to transport freight in both urban and rural areas. They pick up, inspect, and deliver shipments based on the dispatch instructions.

The tasks of a P & D driver include following dispatch instructions, checking the shipment's paperwork for discrepancies, and timely moving the freight to its designated destination. For safety purposes, they examine their commercial vehicles before and after the scheduled trips. They also handle receipts, update delivery logs, and assist other workers on the dock.

Working as a P & D driver is challenging. They may drive for a hundred miles a day and face various difficulties related to the weather, road conditions, and vehicle malfunctions.

A valid driver's license is an essential requirement to pursue a career as a P & D driver. Some companies prefer candidates with Commercial Driver's License for this position. The minimum educational requirement is a high school diploma. Knowledge of road regulations and guidelines is also mandatory for this job.

Scorep & D DriverUS Average

Salary

3.9

Avg. Salary $50,214

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

7.3

Growth Rate 4%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.78%

Asian 3.46%

Black or African American 13.11%

Hispanic or Latino 17.96%

Unknown 4.58%

White 60.11%

Gender

female 5.91%

male 94.09%

Age - 49

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 49

Stress Level

7.3

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level

4.6

Complexity Level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance

1.4

Work Life balance is very poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a p & d driver

Explore p & d driver education requirements

Most common p & d driver degrees

High School Diploma

46.6 %

Associate

17.1 %

Diploma

14.2 %

Start to develop specific p & d driver skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	27.87%
DOT	19.49%
Hazmat	15.21%
Tractor-Trailer Combination	9.41%
Deliver Freight	5.49%

Complete relevant p & d driver training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New p & d drivers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a p & d driver based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real p & d driver resumes.

Research p & d driver duties and responsibilities

Pick and delivery LTL freight around Florida.
Operate, changeover, clean, troubleshoot and complete basic maintenance on palletizing equipment.
Use RF scanning equipment to accurately ensure the tracking of inventory thru ought the facility.
Obtain and maintain proper delivery authorization and pickup documentation.

Prepare your p & d driver resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your p & d driver resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a p & d driver resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable p & D Driver Resume templates

Build a professional p & D Driver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your p & D Driver resume.

Apply for p & d driver jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a p & d driver job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do p & d drivers rate their job?