Commercial Driver
Licensed professional who drives large and heavy commercial vehicles — trucks, buses and trailers.
Overview
A Commercial Driver is trained and certified to drive a commercial vehicle professionally. They possess commercial driver's licence and operate large and heavy vehicles, including trucks, buses, and trailers.
Where they work
- Logistics companies
- Any company that needs to get either raw material or finished products from one point to another
Work environment
You will spend a lot of time driving the vehicle. There are no defined work hours, but you are likely to spend 40 or more hours a week on the road to ensure timely delivery. You must know the fundamentals of the mechanical aspects of the vehicle. This is because some of the maintenance jobs have to be completed by you. Entrepreneurship: you can own a truck and take up contractual work or start your own company.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You like working outdoors
- You are quick to take on new responsibilities
- You can comfortably talk with all kinds of people
Eligibility and education roadmap
Durations are as printed on the source card for each level; please check the duration of the course during enrolment. A commercial driving licence is required to drive commercial vehicles.
- 1Certificate — Eligibility: Basic literacy and knowledge of traffic rules and safety are helpful. Duration: 3 to 6 months. Examples: Certificate in Commercial Vehicle Driving, Certificate in Heavy Vehicle Operation.
- 2Diploma — Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent. Duration: 1 to 2 years. Examples: Diploma in Commercial Vehicle Driving, Diploma in Road Safety and Transport Management.
- 3Undergraduate — Eligibility: High school diploma or equivalent. Duration: 3 to 4 years. Examples: Bachelor's in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Bachelor's in Transport Management.
- 4Postgraduate — Eligibility: Bachelor's degree in a related field. Duration: 1 to 2 years. Examples: Master's in Transport and Logistics Management, Master's in Supply Chain Management.
- 5Doctoral — Eligibility: Master's degree in a related field. Duration: 3 to 5 years. Examples: PhD in Transportation Engineering, PhD in Logistics and Supply Chain.
- 6Short-Term Courses — Commercial Vehicle Driving Course, Advanced Driver Training Program, Heavy Vehicle Operation and Safety Course.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
The course is offered by the Department of Management. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Institute of Driving & Traffic Research, New Delhi
- Automotive Research Association of India, Pune, Maharashtra
- Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune, Maharashtra
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Maruti Suzuki Driving School, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Tata Motors Skill Training Centres, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Honda Safety Driving Education Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra
- Dhaliwal Driving School, New Delhi
- Driver Training Institute, Burari, New Delhi
- Heavy Driving School, Patna, Bihar
- Prime Motor Driving Training School, New Delhi
- Truck Driving School, Kurmidih, Jharkhand
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Assistant Driver/Helper
- 2Commercial Vehicle Driver Level 3
- 3Commercial Vehicle Driver Level 4
- 4Commercial Vehicle Driver Trainer
Expected income
₹21,000 – ₹40,000 per month
This is the approximate salary of a commercial truck driver. The figures are indicative and subject to change.
SourceRelated careers to explore
Bulldozer Operator
Drives a tractor and blade to scoop soil, move rock and ore, and level ground on site.
Logistics Manager
Coordinates the storage, transportation and delivery of finished goods so that stock is maintained and moves efficiently.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to travelling.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Yogita Raghuvanshi — India's first woman truck driver who joined the profession in 2000 after her husband passed away. She has a Bachelor's in Law and owns the Rajhans Transport Company today. She is proficient in Hindi, English, Gujarati, Marathi, and Telugu.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 2, printed page 715 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/truck-driver-salary-SRCH_KO0,12.htm
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
This card carries no note on opportunities for differently abled people, so none is shown.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.