How To Become A Vehicle Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a vehicle operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

A vehicle operator operates different kinds of vehicles, including four-wheel drives, buses, trucks, and vans. They play a vital role in logistics and can find job opportunities in almost any industry. However, most open jobs are in the trucking and delivery sectors, which require a lot of vehicle operators to meet their logistical goals.

Aside from operating their assigned vehicle, a vehicle operator is also typically responsible for maintaining delivery records, coordinating with logistics personnel, and performing basic maintenance on their truck. Most importantly, they are obligated to follow all traffic rules to ensure the safety of themselves, pedestrians, property, and other motorists.

To become a vehicle operator, the basic requirements are a high school diploma and a commercial driving license. Depending on the type of vehicle, some vehicle operators may also need to attend an appropriate driving school or complete a special training program.

Furthermore, a vehicle operator needs to be physically fit to attain this role as it requires long hours of driving and sometimes, heavy lifting. That said, most vehicle operators are male, but the job is becoming more and more common for females as well.

ScoreVehicle OperatorUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $51,505

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity

4.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.54%

Asian 4.81%

Black or African American 15.25%

Hispanic or Latino 13.82%

Unknown 3.89%

White 60.70%

Gender

female 16.93%

male 83.07%

Age - 57

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 - 57

Key steps to become a vehicle operator

Explore vehicle operator education requirements

Most common vehicle operator degrees

High School Diploma

32.9 %

Bachelor's

28.1 %

Associate

27.1 %

Start to develop specific vehicle operator skills

Skills	Percentages
CDL	24.84%
Tractor Trailer	12.81%
Safety Regulations	12.35%
Cleanliness	5.94%
Routine Maintenance	4.34%

Research vehicle operator duties and responsibilities

Obtain military CDL license and OSHA forklift license.
Comply with the highest standards of safety, and HAZMAT handling procedures.
Provide shuttle service to wound service members, their family and DOD civilians.
Obtain CDL licenses [] and become operator and responsible for the safe transportation of all vehicles.

Prepare your vehicle operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your vehicle operator 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 vehicle operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Vehicle Operator Resume templates

Build a professional Vehicle Operator 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 Vehicle Operator resume.

Apply for vehicle operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a vehicle operator 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 vehicle operators rate their job?