Local Tanker Position CDL-A · Tanker · HazMat

CDL-A Tanker Fuel Energy Delivery Driver

Hiring Area: Lexington, KY • Terminal: Lexington Yard

Lexington, KY Local / Home Daily

Local petroleum tanker work based in Lexington moves gasoline, diesel, off-road diesel and generator fuel through Central Kentucky on short multi-stop runs, paying $1,500–$1,900 weekly with estimated annual gross of $78,000–$98,800 and home every night.

Weekly Gross
$1,500–$1,900
Estimated Annual: $78,000–$98,800
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500
Home Time Home Daily
Driver Type Company Driver
Weekly Miles 600–1,100
Freight Type Petroleum Tanker

Position Overview

The role centers on controlled petroleum handling rather than ordinary dry-van local work. Drivers manage multi-compartment tankers from rack load through customer delivery and back to the Lexington yard.

  • Confirm product grades, compartment assignments and placarding before loading.
  • Perform grounding, bonding and hose connections at every customer site.
  • Watch transfers closely and match meter totals to delivery tickets.
  • Stop operations and contact dispatch on access problems or unsafe conditions.
  • Conduct full pre-trip and post-trip checks on tractor and tanker.
  • Keep ELD records current and remain inside HOS limits each day.

Pay & Compensation Breakdown

Pay is hourly at $28–$35 with overtime at 1.5× after 40 hours. A mid-range example of 40 hours at $31 plus 10 overtime hours produces roughly $1,705; the advertised weekly range of $1,500–$1,900 reflects normal operating weeks rather than peak extremes. Typical annualized gross based on $1,700 per week sits near $88,400.

Weekly Range $1,500–$1,900
Estimated Annual Range $78,000–$98,800
Sign-On Bonus Up to $1,500 ($500 after 30 / 90 / 180 days)
Safety Bonus Up to $1,000 annually
Referral Bonus $1,250
Pay Frequency Weekly

Schedule, Home Time & Routes

Home Time Home Daily
Operating Area Central Kentucky
Terminal Lexington Yard
Weekly Miles 600–1,100
Dispatch Window 4:00–6:00 AM, primarily Mon–Fri (occasional Saturday)

Equipment & Cabin Specs

Model Years Primarily 2022–2025
Tractors Kenworth T880 day cabs
Transmission Automatic
In-Cab Systems Omnitracs ELD, telematics, forward-facing cameras
Assignment Assigned when scheduling permits

Petroleum tank trailers are in the 8,000–11,000 gallon class with multiple product compartments, bottom-loading connections, vapor-recovery equipment, hose reels, product meters, grounding and bonding gear, emergency shutoff systems, required placards, fire extinguishers and spill-response kits. Newer tractors carry air-ride suspension, roll-stability control and collision-mitigation technology. Local preventive maintenance and roadside assistance support the fleet.

Representative Local Routes

Loads originate at local petroleum racks and move to retail stations, construction operations, agricultural customers, commercial fleets and generator accounts across the Bluegrass region.

  • Lexington to Georgetown industrial and retail accounts
  • Lexington to Nicholasville station and agricultural stops
  • Lexington to Versailles, Paris or Winchester deliveries
  • Lexington to Richmond, Frankfort or Harrodsburg loops
  • Primary corridors: I-75, I-64, US-25, US-27, US-60 and US-421
  • A typical day may include approximately 6–12 delivery stops depending on product mix, customer demand and route sequencing

Typical Week & Daily Workflow

  • Early morning start includes tractor and tanker inspection plus route review.
  • Rack loading typically requires 30–60 minutes based on queue and compartments.
  • Customer-site transfers average 20–45 minutes per stop.
  • Dispatch may resequence remaining stops when tank capacity or orders change.
  • Final delivery is followed by return to the Lexington yard for post-trip and staging.
  • Friday volume often increases as commercial customers prepare for the weekend.

About the Carrier

Short-haul petroleum distribution in Central Kentucky relies on carriers that can load at local racks and reach retail stations, construction sites, farms and generator accounts the same day. This listing describes a mid-sized regional fuel-carrier operating model based in Lexington that supplies gasoline, diesel, off-road diesel and generator fuel to approved commercial and retail users. The focus remains live loading and multi-stop local delivery rather than long-haul linehaul, keeping equipment and drivers concentrated around the Bluegrass region and supporting the recurring demand created by retail fuel sales, agricultural seasons and construction activity.

Benefits & Healthcare Coverage

Health Coverage Medical, dental, vision
Retirement 401(k) with company contribution
Time Off Paid time off and paid holidays
Training & PPE Paid fuel-handling and petroleum safety certification, required PPE and replacements
Additional Uniform program after probation, paid DOT physical renewal, paid orientation

Driver Qualification Requirements

  • Valid Class A CDL with Tanker and HazMat endorsements required
  • 12 months CDL-A tractor-trailer experience preferred; prior tanker experience strongly preferred
  • Acceptable MVR with no recent major preventable violations
  • Pass DOT physical, pre-employment drug screen and FMCSA Clearinghouse query
  • Physical ability to connect hoses, climb tanker access steps and work outdoors in changing weather

Operational Delays

  • Morning rack queues during concentrated loading periods
  • Lexington-area traffic on I-75, I-64 and New Circle Road
  • Customer tank capacity limits or restricted site access
  • Seasonal shifts in diesel demand from construction and agriculture
  • Weather or active construction zones that force alternate routing

Hiring Process

1
Apply Online
Submit application and complete recruiter phone screen
2
Document Review
CDL, MVR, employment history and Clearinghouse query
3
Testing & Orientation
DOT physical, drug screen, equipment evaluation, petroleum safety orientation
4
First Dispatch
Paid orientation followed by route familiarization

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much tanker experience is required? ▼
Prior tanker experience is strongly preferred. Candidates without petroleum background may still be considered if they hold the required endorsements and demonstrate a strong safety record.
Q: Is the HazMat endorsement required before applying? ▼
Yes. Both Tanker and HazMat endorsements must already be on the CDL.
Q: Are weekends required? ▼
The core schedule is Monday through Friday. Occasional Saturday coverage may be needed during higher-volume periods.
Q: How early does the shift start? ▼
Dispatch windows typically fall between 4:00 and 6:00 AM.
Q: How many stops per day are normal? ▼
A typical day may include approximately 6–12 delivery stops depending on product mix, customer demand and route sequencing.
Q: Is the position paid hourly or by mileage? ▼
Compensation is hourly at $28–$35 with overtime after 40 hours.
Q: Is overtime available? ▼
Yes. Overtime is paid at 1.5× after 40 hours and is built into the normal weekly range.
Q: Is training provided for petroleum delivery? ▼
Yes. New drivers receive paid orientation covering rack loading, compartment identification, hose connections, grounding/bonding, emergency shutdown and customer-site procedures.
Q: Is the tanker returned empty every night? ▼
Yes. After the final delivery the unit returns to the Lexington yard empty and is staged for the next load.
Q: What happens if a customer tank cannot accept the full load? ▼
Drivers stop the transfer, notify dispatch and wait for resequencing or a later cycle rather than waiting indefinitely on site.
Q: Are loaded tankers ever taken home? ▼
Loaded units remain at the company yard overnight unless specific authorization is given under company policy.

CDL Job Market

Lexington’s CDL-A hiring environment is diversified. Carriers recruit for dry van, tanker, dedicated retail, bulk delivery, construction support and short-haul industrial freight. Manufacturing activity in Georgetown, distribution around Nicholasville and industrial freight near Versailles and Richmond further expand the pool of openings. Drivers holding Tanker and HazMat endorsements form a smaller qualified group, so employers compete more actively for those credentials. Local and home-daily positions remain in steady demand among drivers who prefer predictable schedules, while regional and dedicated roles continue to appear alongside specialized bulk and petroleum work. The overall market stays reasonably active year-round, supported by manufacturing, agriculture, retail distribution and construction across Central Kentucky.

Location & Freight Market

Freight volume in Central Kentucky is driven by retail fuel demand, agricultural production, construction activity and light manufacturing. Lexington’s location at the junction of I-75 and I-64 provides efficient access to surrounding communities, while shorter state highways reach farms, job sites and commercial accounts. Petroleum supply terminals and fuel distribution facilities in and around Lexington feed gasoline and diesel outward to stations and bulk users throughout the Bluegrass region. Seasonal patterns are clear: summer travel increases gasoline volumes, planting and harvest periods raise diesel needs for agriculture, and construction projects generate additional off-road and generator fuel demand. These recurring cycles keep short-haul liquid bulk movements active across the region and sustain consistent local tanker work independent of long-haul linehaul networks.

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