Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Drayage Driver

🎯 Role Definition

A Drayage Driver transports intermodal containers and chassis between marine terminals, rail ramps, distribution centers and yards. This role requires expert knowledge of port and terminal entry procedures, container hookup/unhook, chassis inspections, and securement practices. The ideal candidate operates safely under tight appointment windows, uses Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) and handheld communications, and maintains accurate shipping documentation (BOLs, delivery receipts, gate paperwork). This position is central to port-to-gate supply chain efficiency and requires punctuality, situational awareness in congested terminals, and excellent coordination with dispatch and customer contacts.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Local delivery truck driver or CDL entry-level driver
Yard jockey or terminal operator
Warehouse or dock loading associate

Advancement To:

Lead Drayage Driver / Senior Trucker
Drayage Fleet Supervisor or Terminal Lead
Dispatch Supervisor or Operations Manager
Owner-Operator (independent drayage contractor)

Lateral Moves:

Yard/Terminal Equipment Operator
Chassis/Tractor Technician
Gate/Terminal Safety Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate Class A (or required class) tractor-trailers and chassis to pick up and deliver loaded and empty intermodal containers between ports, rail yards, distribution centers and customer facilities while consistently meeting scheduled appointment windows.
Conduct thorough pre-trip and post-trip vehicle and chassis inspections, document defects or damage per company and DOT procedures, and coordinate prompt repairs or replacement to ensure equipment safety and regulatory compliance.
Accurately secure containers to chassis using twist locks and other securement devices, verify container seal numbers and integrity, and report any mismatches, damage, or seal discrepancies to dispatch and customer contacts.
Complete and maintain accurate shipping documentation, including bills of lading (BOLs), delivery receipts, gate passes, interchange agreements, detention logs and electronic proof of delivery (POD) using mobile devices or onboard computers.
Comply with all Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, company safety policies and California/State-specific hours-of-service (HOS) requirements; maintain honest and up-to-date ELD logs and paper backups when required.
Navigate high-traffic port, terminal and rail ramp environments, understanding gated terminal procedures, chassis pools, line-up processes and on-terminal routing to minimize waiting and detention times.
Communicate proactively with dispatch, terminal clerks and customers regarding ETAs, delays, load status, gate holds, detention exposure and exception management to protect service level agreements.
Follow terminal and customer-specific safety protocols for entering stacking yards, rail ramps and intermodal terminals, including PPE requirements, vehicle speed limits and spotter procedures.
Perform container pickup and drop-off operations, including hook/unhook, securement verification and movement to designated spots in terminals, yards or customer facilities with attention to stacking and placement instructions.
Manage time efficiently through effective route planning, use of GPS and traffic tools, and coordination of multiple daily moves to maximize asset utilization and meet productivity targets.
Load and unload loose equipment or accessories (dock plates, locking devices, chocks) as needed, ensuring cargo and equipment are stowed and transported safely.
Report cargo damage, missing goods or hazardous material discrepancies immediately; follow hazmat placarding, documentation and emergency response procedures when transporting regulated materials.
Maintain professional customer interactions during pickups and deliveries, facilitate gate and security checkpoints, obtain customer signatures and photo PODs, and resolve simple service or documentation issues on-site.
Utilize handheld scanners, mobile apps and onboard telematics to capture delivery confirmations, container photos, damage reports and to receive dispatch instructions in real time.
Work scheduled shifts that may include early mornings, nights, weekends or overtime to meet port and customer demand, and be prepared for on-call or unpredictable terminal delays.
Track detention, demurrage and laytime exposure by logging arrival and release times; escalate billing or time-related disputes to operations or customer service when necessary.
Handle chassis exchanges, repositioning and short-haul drops, ensuring chassis pool inventory accuracy and reporting lost or damaged chassis promptly to fleet operations.
Observe and adhere to weight limits, axle configurations and proper load distribution to avoid overweight violations; utilize scales and paperwork to verify legal weights when required.
Perform basic preventative maintenance and routine checks (fluids, tire pressure, lights, brakes) and escalate mechanical issues to maintenance or fleet management for timely repairs.
Participate in toolbox talks, safety trainings and compliance meetings; stay current on changes to terminal access rules, gate automation, and industry best practices.
Follow COVID-19 and other public health protocols when required by terminals or customers, including contactless delivery procedures and sanitation of cab and equipment.
Assist with yard organization, container staging and short-term repositioning to support terminal efficiency and customer schedules.
Maintain professional appearance and keep the tractor and chassis clean and orderly to represent the company at customer sites and terminals.

Secondary Functions

Provide field feedback to dispatch and operations about recurring terminal issues, gate system bugs, or chronic equipment problems to help reduce delays.
Support ad-hoc operational needs such as weekend container sweeps, empty repositioning runs and special project moves as directed by fleet management.
Mentor junior drivers on terminal rules, safe hookup procedures and efficient route execution when acting as a senior team member.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing detention, optimizing routes and improving on-time delivery metrics.
Assist with audits, DOT inspections or carrier compliance reviews by producing requested trip logs, maintenance records and proof-of-delivery documentation.
Maintain open lines of communication during multi-modal handoffs, coordinating with rail, ship and warehousing contacts to facilitate seamless container movement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Valid CDL Class A license (or state-required license) with clean driving record and endorsements as required (tank, hazmat if applicable).
Proficient operation of tractor and intermodal chassis, including container twist-lock engagement and voiding procedures.
Strong knowledge of DOT hours-of-service rules and experience using Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) and telematics systems.
Experience navigating gated marine terminals, rail ramps and chassis pools; familiarity with terminal appointment systems and gate automation.
Accurate completion of shipping paperwork: bills of lading (BOL), delivery receipts, interchange agreements, proof of delivery (POD), gate receipts and detention logs.
Ability to perform thorough pre-trip/post-trip inspections and basic preventative maintenance (fluid checks, tire inspection, light and brake checks).
Proficiency with mobile devices, driver apps, handheld scanners, and GPS navigation tailored for truck routing (truck-specific routing preferred).
Knowledge of cargo securement best practices, load weight distribution and legal axle weight limits.
Experience handling hazardous materials (hazmat) and following placarding and documentation procedures when required.
Familiarity with detention/demurrage concepts and procedures, including documenting wait times and escalation processes.
Basic mechanical troubleshooting skills and ability to clearly report equipment defects to maintenance teams.
Understanding of safety management systems, DOT compliance, and terminal-specific safety rules.

Soft Skills

Strong communication skills: clear, concise updates to dispatch, terminal staff and customers; professional customer service at delivery points.
Time management and prioritization to meet tight appointment windows and handle multiple moves per shift.
High situational awareness and defensive driving skills in congested port and urban environments.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to escalate issues promptly and propose practical workarounds.
Dependability and punctuality — consistent attendance, timely check-ins and adherence to scheduled shifts.
Attention to detail for accurate paperwork, container number verification, and compliance documentation.
Adaptability to changing schedules, weather conditions and terminal rules.
Teamwork orientation — collaborates with operations, maintenance and customer service to resolve day-to-day issues.
Professional demeanor and customer-facing presence at terminals and customer sites.
Stress tolerance for managing delays, traffic, and tight detention-sensitive operations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED preferred; equivalent work experience in trucking or warehousing accepted.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training in commercial driving or certification programs for commercial drivers; completion of company-specific drayage training programs is a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Commercial Vehicle Operation / Truck Driving
Logistics & Supply Chain Basics
Occupational Safety / DOT Compliance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–5 years commercial driving experience; at least 6 months to 2 years drayage, port or yard driving experience preferred.

Preferred:

2+ years of specialized port/terminal or intermodal drayage experience, demonstrated proficiency with gated terminal procedures, ELD systems, and container securement. Prior experience working with major marine terminals, rail ramps or logistics providers and a clean safety record are highly desirable.