NJ Civil Service Navigator

TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVER

Code: 04179 Local Competitive

Tractor Trailer Driver sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's local-government civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.

The requirements come down to 1 year of relevant experience and a professional license.

How to apply

  • Exam

    This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.

  • Exam

    Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.

Definition

Under direction drives, cleans, services and makes minor repairs to tandem tractor-trailers; may perform manual and unskilled laboring work occasionally or in connection with tractor-trailer driving duties; does related work as required.

Examples of work

  • Drives gasoline or diesel powered tractor-trailer to transport and deliver supplies and materials.
  • Drives truck to destination applying knowledge of commercial driving regulations and skill in maneuvering vehicle in difficult situations such as narrow passageways.
  • Inspects truck for defects before and after trips and submits report indicating truck condition.
  • May assist in loading and unloading truck.
  • Maintains log of trips indicating destinations, mileage traveled and time involved.
  • May drive tractor with two trailers hitched in tandem.
  • Drives tractor-trailer to deliver poles to work-site or for electric utility.
  • Drives tandem tractor-trailers; hauls and delivers solid or liquid materials; checks, cleans, and greases tandem tractor-trailers.
  • Makes minor repairs and adjustments.
  • Loads and unloads trailers.
  • Operates various types of construction and maintenance equipment.
  • Drives trucks and occasionally or incidentally performs manual and unskilled laboring work.
  • Keeps necessary records.
  • May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in driving a truck joined together by means of a coupling device to one (1) or more motor drawn vehicles with a combined gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds.

License

Appointees must possess a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type of vehicle being operated.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

  • Knowledge of the care and maintenance and competent, safe and efficient operation of tandem tractor-trailers including cleaning, greasing, servicing and making minor repairs.
  • Ability to analyze problems involving the operation of tandem tractor-trailers.
  • Ability to understand, remember, and carry out oral and written directions.
  • Ability to perform tasks after explanations and/or demonstrations.
  • Ability to operate tractor-trailer in a skilled and safe manner.
  • Ability to check, clean, service and make minor and emergency repairs to tractor-trailers.
  • Ability to keep necessary records.
  • Ability to judge distances and clearances accurately while driving around corners or through narrow passageways and when backing tractor- trailer unit into loading platform.
  • Ability to coordinate hand and foot managements in order to operate controls and drive and park tractor-trailer rig.
  • Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
  • Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
  • Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the appointing authority.