How Much Can CDL Drivers Make In Virginia?
The average salary for all truck drivers in Virginia is $41,330 and if you’re an owner-operator who charges by the hour, that average is $19.87. Of course salaries will vary depending on the type of CMV you drive, how much experience you have, and what type of job you’re doing.
Median trucker salaries in Virginia are $39,150 and $41,340 in the U.S. as a whole. By looking at individual city salaries you get a better idea of how the salaries all break down:
1. Arlington: $42,730
2. Harrisonburg: $40,830
3. Richmond: $40,010
4. Winchester: $39,180
5. Lynchburg: $38,260
6. Roanoke: $38,100
There are myriad types of driving to choose from. Over-the-Road driving can take you across the U.S. and back. You’ll be gone a lot, so if you have a family this may not be right for you. However, if you enjoy the open road, the changing scenery, and seeing the country first hand, it’s an exciting job.
Local jobs mean that you’re home every night and know the route you’ll be driving each day. If you have a family you may think about this type of job. If you don’t like routine though, you may try a regional driving job, which may be the best of both worlds. You might spend a few nights away, but nothing like an OTR schedule.
Different types of trucks can also earn you more money. For example, a refrigerated truck needs a lot more know how from the driver to keep temperatures consistent and the load in place. If you’re hauling multiple cars across the U.S. to different dealerships, that requires more knowledge than simply driving a truck across town.
The largest cities are often where the opportunities are, so check out the top five populated cities in Virginia:
1. Virginia Beach: 437,994
2. Norfolk: 242,803
3. Chesapeake: 222,209
4. Arlington: 207,627
5. Richmond: 204,214
Keep in mind that regardless of the market, America will always need truckers to deliver the goods. The projected increase in trucking jobs between 2014 and 2024 is expected to be 6% for both the U.S. and Virginia.
How To Obtain A Virginia CDL License
Commercial drivers are individuals who operate commercial motor vehicles. All truck drivers who drive for a living, volunteer drivers of church buses or private or public school buses and mechanics who test drive commercial vehicles must meet Virginia commercial driver’s license requirements.
It’s illegal for commercial drivers to have more than one license. You must keep the license issued by the state where you live and return all other licenses to the states that issued them. If you fail to return licenses from other states, you could be fined as much as $5,000, put in jail for up to 90 days, or both.
Virginia CDL Age Requirements
You must be 18 years of age to hold a CDL. Under federal law, a commercial driver must be at least 21 years of age to:
– Drive across state lines
– Transport hazardous materials in quantities large enough to require a placard
– Transport interstate freight (e.g., mail) within the state.
If you’re under 21 years of age, your CDL will have a “K” restriction meaning your driving privileges are valid only in Virginia.
Identification and Residency Requirements
If you apply for a CDL or commercial learner’s permit and DMV records show you have not held a Virginia driver’s license or ID card in the past, you must present documents proving your eligibility.
If you’re age 19 or older, you must show two proofs of identity, one proof for legal presence in the state, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your social security number. You will also be required to present a document to show that you’re eligible under federal requirements.
If you’re 18 years of age, you’ll need to show one proof of identity, one proof of legal presence, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your social security number. You’ll also need to present a document to show that you are eligible under federal requirements.
Documents accepted by the DMV as proof of identity, legal presence, Virginia residency and social security number may change without notice.
Medical Certification Requirements In Virginia
All CDL applicants must certify that they are in good enough health to drive a truck, posing no danger to themselves or the public. You must prove that either you’re in compliance with the federal and Virginia motor carrier safety regulations or that you don’t have to comply with regulations.
If you need to meet the federal or Virginia motor carrier safety regulations, you must provide a valid DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate completed by an examiner on the National Registry of Medical Examiners.
Driver Education Requirements
If you’re 18 or older, are applying for a CDL for the first time, you must either hold a valid Virginia driver’s license or have satisfied all the requirements to obtain such a license. In addition, you must:
– Pass a state-approved driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles
– Hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days, or
– If you did not complete the driver education program designed specifically for commercial motor vehicles, you must hold a commercial learner’s permit for at least 30 days before taking the CDL road skills test at DMV.
Testing
Tests may include a vision screening, CDL knowledge and endorsement exams, and a CDL road skills test. You may also need to take the two-part driver’s license knowledge exam. A DMV representative will tell you which tests you need to take.
Receiving Your License
Once you pass all required testing, your CDL or commercial learner’s permit will be mailed to the address you gave the DMV. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward driver’s licenses, so make sure that the DMV has your current, correct address on record (SOURCE).
Trucking Companies Local to Virginia
Thompson Trucking
Thompson Trucking has a reputation as one of the safest and most reliable trucking companies in the Southeastern region of the United states. This trucking company specializes in waste and bulk materials hauling. Their fleet consists of more than 100 tractors and over 450 trailers. They transport the following items: garbage, steel containers, construction equipment, farm supplies, and hazardous materials.
Fleetmaster Express
Fleetmaster Express is a trucking company with an interesting history. This company joined the trucking industry in 1987 when they were contracted by a large grocery chain for hauling freight from store to store with only two refrigerated trailers. Today, this company is a leader in the temperature-controlled trucking services nationwide, with a fleet size of 300 trucks and more than a thousand trailers. In addition to the headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia, this trucking company has offices in Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Texas, Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, and Arkansas.
Lawrence Transportation
Lawrence Transportation was established in 1932 and started with residential and commercial moving, which they still perform today. Now this company has a large fleet, composed of 325 tractors and a variety of trailers. Dry van and flatbed (FTL and LTL) and intermodal services are offered by Lawrence Transportation. They have 21 terminals and handle freight requests nationwide.
Virginia Trucking Related News
Vehicle automation seems to be the topic du jour in the trucking industry. In September the Federal Highway Administration, with help from the Virginia State Police, demonstrated an automated three-truck platoon driving an 8-mile course on a Virginia state highway.
The closest following distance between the trucks during one of the test drives was 45 to 50 feet. At 55 mph that’s a following gap of just 0.6 second. Using dedicated short-range communications (DSRC), the computers on the three trucks “talked” via a radio using a 5.9-gigahertz transmission.
“This is important for highway efficiency,” said Michael Trentacoste, director of FHWA’s Office of Research, Development, and Technology. “Since we’re not able to increase the number of lane-miles quickly, we want to have trucks driving close together while still operating safely.”
Trucks running close together can improve fuel efficiency by reducing combined aerodynamic drag according to The North American Council for Freight Efficiency.
Volvo Trucks North America has been working with University of California researchers and a company called Peloton Technology. The university’s Partners for Advanced Transportation Technology program, or PATH, developed the system used in the demonstration. All three trucks were Volvo VNL 670s (SOURCE).
Address:
350 ELLIOTT CREEK RD
24149
Business Phone Number: (540) 230-7639
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
10440 COLONEL CT
20110
Business Phone Number: (703) 906-0118
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
112 OAK GROVE ROAD UNIT 112
20166
Business Phone Number: (703) 622-3061
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
112 OAK GROVE ROAD UNIT 112
20166
Business Phone Number: (703) 622-3061
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
10395 DOW GIL RD
23005
Business Phone Number: (804) 876-3630
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5933 HIGH MEADOW RD
22310
Business Phone Number: (301) 312-0166
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3907 FORGE DRIVE
22193
Business Phone Number: (571) 277-3818
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
500 MINGEA ST
23804
Business Phone Number: (804) 926-7196
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
20411 HORSE SHOE ROAD
23830
Business Phone Number: (804) 247-2738
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
516 LANNY DR
22601
Business Phone Number: (540) 723-8870
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5739 CHARLES CITY CIRCLE
23231
Business Phone Number: (631) 740-9008
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
16 SHORT BRANCH RD
22556
Business Phone Number: (804) 519-5859
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2345 LANIER ROAD
23146
Business Phone Number: (804) 467-8088
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3128 CHEPSTOW LANE
22042
Business Phone Number: (703) 876-6000
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
7514 DIPLOMAT DRIVE SUITE 101
20109
Business Phone Number: (571) 436-7733
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
14193 ROCKING HORSE DR
22193
Business Phone Number: (703) 986-7587
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
25673 AZALEA GARDEN TER
20105
Business Phone Number: (540) 966-2174
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
60 ROSLYN HEIGHTS RD
22901
Business Phone Number: (434) 284-8775
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
102 BLACKS CREEK ROAD
24450
Business Phone Number: (540) 817-0168
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2210 MAGNOLIA ST
23223-2312
Business Phone Number: (804) 644-2770
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
46 COLONIAL WAY
23325
Business Phone Number: (757) 805-4247
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
100 OGDEN ROAD
24517
Business Phone Number: (434) 546-6113
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4205 BAINBRIDGE BLVD
23324
Business Phone Number: (757) 966-9796
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
14 CAMPBELL AVE SE SUITE 310
24011
Business Phone Number: (540) 982-1987
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
14 CAMPBELL AVE SE SUITE 310
24011
Business Phone Number: (540) 982-1987
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1021 NICKLAUS DR
23435
Business Phone Number: (757) 550-8798
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1021 NICKLAUS DR
23435
Business Phone Number: (757) 550-8798
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3229 RAWLEY PIKE
22801
Business Phone Number: (703) 955-0822
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
307 S RONALDS ST APT 202
22304
Business Phone Number: (703) 200-1491
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
945 FAIRVIEW ROAD
24382
Business Phone Number: (276) 228-9433
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
945 FAIRVIEW ROAD
24382
Business Phone Number: (276) 228-9433
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2000 KRAFT DR
24060
Business Phone Number: (540) 808-3606
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3288 PAGE AVE APT#802
23451
Business Phone Number: (757) 593-3147
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2333 HUNTER MILL ROAD
22181
Business Phone Number: (703) 282-4729
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
66 KAOLIN SPRING LANE
24440
Business Phone Number: (540) 256-2738
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
121 WIGGINS CT
23851
Business Phone Number: (757) 304-9513
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9063 SHADYGROVE RD
23116
Business Phone Number: (804) 467-1398
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
98 ROSS LANE
22824
Business Phone Number: (540) 984-8810
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
98 ROSS LANE
22824
Business Phone Number: (540) 984-8810
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3309 DOGWOOD DR
23703
Business Phone Number: (757) 617-5320
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3309 DOGWOOD DR
23703
Business Phone Number: (757) 617-5320
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2690 PENBURY CT STE 103
22191
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
10612 BUCKINGHAM DR
22407
Business Phone Number: (540) 628-5751
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9111 CENTREVILLE ROAD
20110
Business Phone Number: (703) 361-2156
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1119 SINAI RD
24558
Business Phone Number: (434) 709-7381
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4204 ROCKFORD SCHOOL ROAD
24557
Business Phone Number: (434) 770-7589
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
188 ASHBY AVE
22802
Business Phone Number: (540) 433-6470
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
188 ASHBY AVE
22802
Business Phone Number: (540) 433-6470
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
7934 WENTWORTH PL
22152
Business Phone Number: (703) 447-3972
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
7934 WENTWORTH PL
22152
Business Phone Number: (703) 447-3972
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5642 ARROWFIELD TERRACE
20169
Business Phone Number: (571) 284-7863
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6945 WESTMORELAND RD
22042
Business Phone Number: (703) 595-1755
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
15278 WATERWHEEL TERRACE
22191
Business Phone Number: (347) 728-3606
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6915 FLOYD AVE
22150
Business Phone Number: (571) 327-9890
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
8201 SPRUCE ST
20111
Business Phone Number: (954) 829-4510
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
13806 SUTTERS MILL RD
23112
Business Phone Number: (804) 475-9420
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
13806 SUTTERS MILL RD
23112
Business Phone Number: (804) 475-9420
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4084 PRESIDENTIAL HILL LOOP
22025
Business Phone Number: (571) 722-5034
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4110 OLD CALVERTON RD
20119
Business Phone Number: (571) 393-9330
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
313 WOOD DUCK CT
23434
Business Phone Number: (757) 513-3594
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4345 W GRETNA RD
24557
Business Phone Number: (434) 770-1940
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1812 CLEARBROOK LN
23464
Business Phone Number: (631) 902-1279
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
5524 BAYSIDE RD
23350
Business Phone Number: (757) 350-9385
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
21065 STANFORD SQUARE #401
20166
Business Phone Number: (571) 275-5045
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
21065 STANFORD SQUARE #401
20166
Business Phone Number: (571) 275-5045
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9206 DIASCUND RD
23089
Business Phone Number: (757) 784-6728
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
171 WELLS LANE
22938
Business Phone Number: (434) 263-8935
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
657 MCGHEE ROAD
22603
Business Phone Number: (540) 723-0175
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
13364 PREUIT PLACE
20170
Business Phone Number: (703) 786-6544
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
17204 LARKIN DRIVE
22026
Business Phone Number: (703) 609-9761
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3654 MORGAN COURT
22026
Business Phone Number: (703) 618-7398
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
105 NASSAU DRIVE
22602
Business Phone Number: (703) 554-7405
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
18192 BROOK LANE
23483
Business Phone Number: (757) 894-4334
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1803 SAVOY COURT
23434
Business Phone Number: (757) 809-1348
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
7311 PARWOOD CT # 202
22042
Business Phone Number: (703) 231-8374
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1933 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD STE 107
23454
Business Phone Number: (757) 425-3203
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
12801 DARBY BROOKE CT
22192
Business Phone Number: (703) 490-8211
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
10511 GAYTON ROAD
23238
Business Phone Number: (804) 283-4421
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
102 MEADOW DR
23847
Business Phone Number: (434) 623-8020
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
12423 POPES HEAD RD
20124
Business Phone Number: (703) 932-1617
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
9022 TELEGRAPH RD UNIT B
22079
Business Phone Number: (571) 432-7740
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
201 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE STE 207
20132
Business Phone Number: (540) 441-7488
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
201 NORTH MAPLE AVENUE STE 207
20132
Business Phone Number: (540) 441-7488
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
103 CHESAPEAKE AVENUE
22812
Business Phone Number: (540) 801-0404
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
27614 RIDGE ROAD
23872
Business Phone Number: (804) 691-8611
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3052 RACHAEL LANE
23072
Business Phone Number: (804) 642-1404
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
787 SPRINGWOOD RD
24090
Business Phone Number: (540) 473-3434
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
8334 LOVERIDGE COURT
23294
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
46943 TRUMPET CIRCLE
20164
Business Phone Number: (703) 404-1615
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1613 13TH STREET NE
24012
Business Phone Number: (540) 345-2331
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6144 TAFFY CT
22193
Business Phone Number: (202) 498-6449
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
6144 TAFFY CT
22193
Business Phone Number: (202) 498-6449
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
1913 NASHVILLE AVE
23704-5336
Business Phone Number: (610) 998-5897
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
7277 LEE HWY
22042
Business Phone Number: (571) 282-3605
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
4804 HARRISON RD
22408
Business Phone Number: (703) 929-3386
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
71 MARBLE BLUE LANE
22942
Business Phone Number: (540) 832-5949
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2128 PIMMIT DRIVE
22043
Business Phone Number: (703) 356-5183
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
3424 CHANDLER CREEK ROAD
23453
Business Phone Number: (757) 671-3222
Type of Hauling: Intrastate Non-Hazmat
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
18 NEW LIFE DRIVE
22968
Business Phone Number: (434) 979-5466
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers:
Address:
2100 PHILPOTT RD
24592
Business Phone Number: (434) 572-2477
Type of Hauling: Interstate
Estimated Number of Drivers: