CDL-A Tanker Position HazMat / Tanker

CDL-A Bulk Fuel Transport Driver

Hiring Area: Memphis Metro • Terminal: Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN Regional Fuel Delivery 3–7 Year Equipment

Regional fuel tanker work moving gasoline and diesel from Memphis terminals to Mid-South retail and commercial sites. Weekly pay $1,750–$2,400 plus separate HazMat premium, with daily home time on most scheduled cycles.

Weekly Gross
$1,750–$2,400
Estimated Annual: $91,000–$124,800
HazMat Premium $150–$300/week
Home Time Daily on most cycles
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Loads 20–24
Freight Type Gasoline / Diesel

Petroleum Tanker Operations

Work centers on controlled loading racks, multi-compartment trailers and customer fuel sites rather than standard dry-van freight.

  • Confirm product type and compartment before any transfer starts.
  • Apply grounding, vapor recovery and required PPE at every rack stop.
  • Identify the correct receiving tank before connecting delivery hoses.
  • Complete BOL paperwork and report any product or quantity mismatch.
  • Alert dispatch when rack or customer delays exceed normal windows.
  • Use three-point contact and careful movement around the tanker at all times.

Load-Based Pay Package

Earnings come from completed fuel loads plus paid standby for qualifying terminal or customer delays. A representative week sits near $2,050 before the separate HazMat premium.

Weekly Range $1,750–$2,400
Typical Gross Week ~$2,050
Typical Annual ~$106,600
HazMat Premium $150–$300 separate
Paid Dwell Equivalent $32–$38/hr during qualifying standby
Heavier Weeks 55–60 on-duty hours

Rotating Cycles & Home Pattern

Home Pattern Daily home time on most scheduled cycles
Operating Area Memphis & Mid-South
Base Terminal Memphis, TN
Shift Windows Rotating early-morning and night
Peak Demand Longer days or farther finishes possible

Fleet & Transfer Equipment

Tractor Age 3–7 years average
Primary Tractors Freightliner Cascadia day-cab / short regional
Transmission Automatic
Trailers Multi-compartment aluminum or stainless petroleum tankers
Assignment Assigned when available; occasional rotation

Standard gear includes vapor recovery connections, petroleum transfer hoses, grounding and bonding equipment, emergency shutoffs, compartment controls, product identification systems, ABS and roll-stability. PPE is company-supplied. Maintenance runs through terminal service or approved vendors; roadside issues are handled by dispatch.

Fuel Lanes Across the Mid-South

Gasoline and diesel form the core freight; limited jet-fuel moves occur when terminal and customer conditions allow. Dispatch adjusts daily based on rack status and tank levels.

  • Memphis TN to West Memphis AR on the I-40 / I-55 corridor
  • Memphis TN to Southaven MS via I-55 / I-69
  • Memphis TN to Jackson MS south on I-55
  • Memphis TN to Forrest City AR along I-40
  • Memphis TN to Little Rock AR westbound I-40
  • Memphis TN to Jackson TN east on I-40
  • Longer regional supply runs Memphis to Nashville TN as needed

Daily Fuel Cycle Flow

  • First terminal assignment and product details arrive before the shift begins.
  • Arrive at the loading rack, check in and verify the assigned lane and compartments.
  • Complete grounding and vapor steps, then stay present while the trailer loads.
  • Deliver to the retail or commercial site after confirming the receiving tank.
  • Finish paperwork, update dispatch and take the next load or return to base.
  • Park overnight at the company terminal or approved yard when the cycle ends in Memphis.
  • HOS remaining time decides whether the day ends early or the plan is adjusted.

About the Carrier

Refined gasoline and diesel leave Memphis-area racks every day to keep retail stations, commercial fleets and industrial tanks filled across the Mid-South. This mid-sized regional operation concentrates on those controlled petroleum cycles instead of general freight, pairing drivers with truck-loading racks and authorized delivery points. Terminal production schedules and regional consumption patterns set the pace rather than fixed retail contracts. The existing river, pipeline and truck-terminal network already concentrates product in the Memphis market, so most cycles reset locally while still reaching demand points in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee.

Benefits & Fuel Support

Medical / Dental / Vision Employee contribution options
401(k) Company match according to plan terms
Time Off Paid PTO and holidays for eligible drivers
Training & PPE Paid fuel-safety orientation plus company PPE
Credential Support HazMat renewal reimbursement under company policy

Minimum Qualifications

  • Valid Class A CDL and minimum age 21
  • HazMat and Tanker endorsements required
  • 1–2 years CDL-A preferred; tanker experience strongly preferred
  • Clean MVR with no recent major violations or serious preventable accidents
  • Pass DOT physical, drug/alcohol testing and Clearinghouse query
  • Able to climb tanker equipment and work outdoors in changing weather

Typical Delay Factors

  • Rack queues during morning or high-demand loading windows
  • Customer-site congestion or waiting for receiving clearance
  • Memphis interstate and surface traffic near terminals and stations
  • Weather delays from rain, winter precipitation or thunderstorms
  • Summer and holiday fuel-demand spikes that raise overall volume
  • Terminal or refinery maintenance that changes normal loading patterns

Application Steps

1
Recruiter Contact
Usually within one business day
2
CDL / MVR / Clearinghouse
Verification and required drug screen
3
Fuel-Safety Orientation
Paid training at Memphis terminal
4
Equipment Assignment
Full process typically 5–10 business days

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who decides which product goes into which compartment? ▼
Dispatch and the terminal control every product assignment. Drivers verify the instructions they receive but never select or mix products on their own.
Q: Is most of the work live load and live unload? ▼
Yes. Almost every cycle is live loading at the rack and live unloading at the customer. Drop-and-hook remains limited because the driver must control product transfer and tanker equipment at both ends.
Q: What if the assigned rack is backed up? ▼
Dispatch can send the driver to another approved terminal or change the delivery order when HOS and customer needs allow. Early communication keeps the rest of the day on track.
Q: Do I need previous fuel-hauling experience? ▼
Solid tanker experience and a clean safety record can open the door to fuel-specific onboarding even without prior petroleum work.
Q: How are residual product and vapors managed? ▼
Drivers follow a fixed sequence: verify product, check compartment, establish safety connections, monitor the transfer, then inspect hoses and fittings before and after every move.
Q: Can high-demand days keep me farther from the terminal? ▼
Peak periods or remaining HOS can occasionally end the shift away from Memphis. Loaded trailers park only at company-approved locations that meet product and security rules.
Q: What does the fuel-safety orientation cover? ▼
Terminal procedures, PPE, product handling and emergency response are all included before any fuel assignment begins.

CDL Job Market in Memphis

Memphis benefits from its location on the I-40 and I-55 corridors plus heavy Mississippi River freight activity, producing steady demand for CDL-A drivers in dry van, LTL, intermodal, foodservice, beverage and dedicated fleets. Specialized tanker and HazMat work forms a smaller segment but consistently looks for operators who already understand liquid handling and terminal procedures. Specialized tanker and HazMat positions typically command stronger compensation than many general-freight roles, particularly when drivers bring clean records, tanker experience and the required endorsements. Local, regional and dedicated openings dominate the market, supported by the region’s distribution networks and river-port logistics that keep hiring active throughout the year. Drivers comfortable with early starts or night cycles find additional options beyond standard freight.

Memphis Fuel & Freight Landscape

Memphis-area refinery and terminal infrastructure supports regular outbound gasoline and diesel movements that supply retail stations, commercial fleets and industrial accounts across the Mid-South. River, pipeline and truck-loading capacity concentrate refined product in the city, creating a consistent need for regional tanker capacity. Interstate corridors I-40 and I-55 connect these terminals to demand centers in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, while river access adds further bulk movement options. Seasonal driving peaks and holiday travel raise fuel consumption, increasing rack activity and delivery volume. The combination of local production capacity, terminal access and highway connections keeps specialized fuel transport a permanent part of the regional logistics mix, independent of any single retail contract.

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