What you need to know about building a career in Regional, OTR and Vocational Trucking

Thinking of a trucking career but don't know where to start? Here are all the specifics you need to know to decide what kind of driving job is right for you. Regional, Over the Road (OTR), and Vocational Trucking, indicate how long and how far you're going to be on the road and some other significant lifestyle differences.

REGIONAL

Regional generally refers to transporting freight within a specific sector of a city or country. This means it is divided into divisions such as Northeast Southeast and is typically assigned by regions. A regional route usually holds a driver on the road anywhere from 5 to 10 days at a time. 

Regional drivers can achieve an ideal work-life balance without compromising freight availability. Based on the type of regional driving job, the time at home can vary, but you will be home more frequently compared to many other trucking jobs. 

Regional driving advantages include travelling close to home, familiar routes, traffic knowledge, and predictable weather conditions. Bear in mind, however, that the near-home routes are subjected to more stop-offs that can get a little repetitive over time.
 

OVER THE ROAD

OTR stands for over the road drivers, with drivers carrying freight over long distances in large on-highway trucks, this is sometimes referred to as a long-haul driver. A long-haul or OTR driver will end up spending weeks on the road at a time. OTR drivers will transport various kinds of goods, including machinery, equipment, and other materials.

The benefits of OTR trucking include the ability to earn a higher salary because of the time spent on the road and a chance to travel with other cost advantages, such as a meal allowance, truck maintenance, hotel stays, and more. While on the other hand, it may require strict delivery deadlines and new or unpredictable routes with anytime schedule requirements.

VOCATIONAL 

Vocational trucks are designed to get the job done. A driver of a vocational truck is required to operate the vehicle in tough working conditions. A reliable vehicle for any job site, these trucks typically are dump trucks, garbage trucks, or mixers, and are used to haul equipment or materials. Usually, the drivers are within city limits with the minimal loading duties and control over a flexible schedule. 

Vocational truckers do have to invest in more costly trucks, along with requirements of being experienced for many jobs. Plus, vocational work can be seasonal, temporary, and limited depending on the type of truck chosen, so keep these possibilities in mind. 

Now that you know more about Regional, OTR, and Vocational trucking, our trained team of experts can help you decide which truck will get the job done. Contact your local Brandt Truck & Trailer for more information on purchasing the right truck for the right application.