TransportationO*NET: 53-3032.00
Will AI Replace Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
Drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers' license. Includes tow truck drivers.
84out of 100
Critical Risk
AI Risk Score
84/100
Risk Level
Critical
Job Zone
2/5
Entry
Total Tasks Analyzed
21
🤖 What AI Can Do
- â–¸Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- â–¸Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
- â–¸Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
- â–¸Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
- â–¸Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
- â–¸Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
👤 What Requires Humans
- â–¸Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks.
- â–¸Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
- â–¸Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
- â–¸Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (7)
- Check all load-related documentation for completeness and accuracy.
- Report vehicle defects, accidents, traffic violations, or damage to the vehicles.
- Maneuver trucks into loading or unloading positions, following signals from loading crew and checking that vehicle and loading equipment are properly positioned.
- Collect delivery instructions from appropriate sources, verifying instructions and routes.
- Check conditions of trailers after contents have been unloaded to ensure that there has been no damage.
- Operate equipment, such as truck cab computers, CB radios, phones, or global positioning systems (GPS) equipment to exchange necessary information with bases, supervisors, or other drivers.
- Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
👤Requires Humans (4)
- Perform basic vehicle maintenance tasks, such as adding oil, fuel, or radiator fluid, performing minor repairs, or washing trucks.
- Drive trucks with capacities greater than 13 tons, including tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, livestock, or other materials.
- Drive trucks to weigh stations before and after loading and along routes in compliance with state regulations.
- Perform emergency roadside repairs, such as changing tires or installing light bulbs, tire chains, or spark plugs.
âš¡AI-Assisted (10)
- Inspect loads to ensure that cargo is secure.
- Check vehicles to ensure that mechanical, safety, and emergency equipment is in good working order.
- Crank trailer landing gear up or down to safely secure vehicles.
- Obtain receipts or signatures for delivered goods and collect payment for services when required.
- Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.
- Read bills of lading to determine assignment details.
- Couple or uncouple trailers by changing trailer jack positions, connecting or disconnecting air or electrical lines, or manipulating fifth-wheel locks.
- Read and interpret maps to determine vehicle routes.
Key Skills Analysis
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Operation and Control
Importance: 3.75/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Equipment Maintenance
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Repairing
Importance: 2.88/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.88/5.00
WritingAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Social PerceptivenessAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
CoordinationAI-Resistant
Importance: 2.75/5.00
Related Occupations
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
84/100 — Critical Risk
Light Truck Drivers
76/100 — High Risk
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders
88/100 — Critical Risk
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
76/100 — High Risk
Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining
69/100 — High Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers have a critical risk of AI replacement with a score of 84/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research