Driving Jobs Near Me: CDL and Non-CDL Opportunities

If you like being on the road and working independently, driving jobs offer solid pay with minimal office politics. From local delivery routes to long-haul trucking, here's what's available near you.

Non-CDL Driving Jobs (No Special License Needed)

• Delivery Driver (Amazon, FedEx, UPS): $18-28/hour. Local routes, home every night. Seasonal hiring surges offer easy entry.
• Rideshare Driver (Uber/Lyft): $18-30/hour depending on market. Set your own hours.
• Food Delivery (DoorDash, Uber Eats): $15-25/hour with tips. Peak hours (lunch and dinner) pay best.
• Medical Courier: $17-24/hour. Transport lab samples, medications, and medical records between facilities.
• Auto Parts Delivery: $16-22/hour. Deliver parts from warehouses to repair shops.

CDL Driving Jobs ($50K-90K+/year)

• Local/Regional Truck Driver: $55,000-75,000. Home every night or weekly.
• Bus Driver (School/Transit): $20-28/hour + benefits. School bus drivers get summers off.
• Garbage/Recycling Truck: $22-32/hour. Early morning hours, excellent municipal benefits.
• Tanker/Hazmat Driver: $65,000-95,000. Premium pay for specialized endorsements.
• Over-the-Road (OTR) Trucker: $60,000-90,000+. Weeks on the road but highest pay.

Getting Your CDL

CDL training takes 3-7 weeks and costs $3,000-7,000. However, many trucking companies offer free CDL training in exchange for a 1-year commitment. Some community colleges also offer CDL programs covered by financial aid.

What to Know Before You Start

• Clean driving record is essential — most employers check 3-5 years back
• Many employers require a DOT physical and drug screening
• Insurance costs more for younger drivers (under 25) in some roles
• GPS and route planning apps make the job much easier than it used to be