Position Overview
A mid-sized transportation carrier supporting port and intermodal freight operations in the Savannah market is hiring an experienced CDL-A Local Port Container Driver based in Savannah, GA. This position supports daily container movements between the Port of Savannah, nearby customer facilities, rail-connected yards, and regional distribution locations.
- Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections on assigned tractor and chassis equipment.
- Safely move import and export containers between terminals, yards, and customer facilities.
- Follow port gate procedures and verify container numbers before movement.
- Inspect chassis condition, locking systems, tires, lights, and air connections before departure.
- Maintain accurate ELD records and communicate delays, equipment issues, and appointment changes.
- Complete required delivery documentation including interchange records and customer paperwork.
This is a local intermodal position requiring attention to terminal procedures, container verification, and chassis inspections. Drivers operate from the Savannah port area with home daily schedules and must maintain compliance with DOT and company safety regulations.
Pay Breakdown & Earnings Structure
Compensation uses an hourly base with container move activity pay and detention compensation for this local port drayage operation.
Hourly Rate $31.00 per hour for regular time
Overtime Rate $46.50 per hour after 40 hours
Container Move Pay $18 per completed container move
Detention Pay $32 per hour after 90 minutes when approved
Sign-On Bonus $1,500 paid in milestones ($500 at 30/90/180 days)
Driver Benefits & Company Advantages
Benefits include weekly direct deposit, paid orientation, company fuel card program, and maintenance support for this local intermodal operation.
Weekly Pay
Weekly direct deposit payroll every Friday.
Paid Orientation
Paid orientation and onboarding process including port procedures.
Equipment Support
Late-model day cab tractors with preventive maintenance program.
Driver Support
Dedicated local fleet dispatcher and maintenance coordination for chassis issues.
Referral Bonus
Referral bonus program for qualified CDL-A driver hires.
Equipment & Fleet Specifications
Primary Tractor Brands Freightliner, Kenworth, International
Common Tractor Models Freightliner Cascadia day cabs (2021–2024), Kenworth T680 day cabs (2020–2023), International LT day cabs
Transmission Automatic transmissions
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Samsara ELD platform
Safety Systems Collision mitigation systems, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control on newer units
Trailer Configuration 20-foot and 40-foot ocean containers on sliding container chassis
Truck Assignment Assigned tractor when available; slip-seat during high-volume periods
Dash Camera Policy Dash cameras in selected equipment
Real Routes Our Drivers Take
Examples of container movements regularly serviced by drivers on this account.
Primary Operating Area: Savannah Port terminals, Garden City logistics corridor, Pooler industrial area
States Covered: Georgia
Major Cities / Markets: Savannah, Pooler, Rincon, Statesboro, Atlanta
Freight Corridors: I-16, I-95 connector routes, I-75
Typical Route Distance: Short-distance container moves; 100–220 local miles per day
Common Freight Movement: Import containers from port to warehouses; export returns; empty repositioning
Operational Considerations: Terminal gate delays, customer appointment windows, chassis availability
Drivers complete local container moves between Garden City Terminal, Pooler distribution centers, regional customer yards, and occasional runs toward Atlanta via I-16. The operation balances import deliveries, export pickups, and empty returns within the Savannah freight network.
License & Driver Requirements
Review qualifications before applying for this local port container driver position.
Verifiable Class-A Experience: Minimum 6 months preferred
CDL License Class: Active Class A CDL License
Required Endorsements: TWIC card preferred for terminal access
Physical Requirements: Frequent entering/exiting tractor, equipment inspections, outdoor work
Hiring Process
Most qualified applicants receive an initial recruiter call within one business day.
Application Review Review of CDL history, experience, and availability
Recruiter Contact Initial phone screening
Driver Qualification CDL verification, employment history, MVR review
Background & Compliance DOT drug screening and FMCSA Clearinghouse query
Orientation Paid orientation at local terminal covering port procedures
First Dispatch Tractor assignment and initial dispatch with local operations support
Most applicants complete the process within approximately 3–7 business days.
A Typical Day on This Account
Shifts begin with dispatch communication before entering the port network.
Shift Start
Receive first assignment 5:00–7:00 AM, complete pre-trip inspection, confirm terminal requirements.
During the Day
Enter terminal, pick up container, deliver to customer yard or warehouse, return empty equipment, receive next assignment.
Typical Challenges
Terminal queues, chassis availability, customer appointment changes, gate procedures.
End of Shift
Complete final move, return equipment, prepare for next day.
Daily workload includes 2–4 container moves depending on terminal flow and vessel activity. Schedules vary with port conditions.
Challenges of the Job
Every CDL-A driving position comes with responsibilities beyond simply operating a commercial vehicle. Terminal gate congestion, vessel activity, chassis availability, and customer receiving schedules influence the daily workflow. Professional drivers should expect operational variability common in port drayage.
Terminal Congestion
Gate queues and vessel discharge activity can create waiting times of 20 minutes to over 2 hours.
Chassis & Container Availability
Equipment inspections and availability affect container movement timing in the port environment.
Appointment & Schedule Changes
Customer receiving schedules and terminal conditions require ongoing communication with dispatch.
Weather & Seasonal Volume
Summer tropical weather, hurricane season, and peak import periods affect operations.
Equipment Inspections
Frequent chassis condition checks, container verification, and documentation in terminal settings.
Professional Perspective:
These conditions are typical for port drayage operations across major U.S. gateways. Experienced CDL-A drivers who adapt to terminal procedures, equipment checks, and changing freight flow maintain productivity in this environment. Flexibility with dispatch communication supports consistent local home daily work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the home time for this position? A: Home Daily with returns to the Savannah port area.
Q: What equipment is used? A: Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 day cabs with container chassis and Samsara ELD.
Q: What is the pay structure? A: $31/hour base, $46.50 OT, $18 per container move, detention after 90 minutes.
Q: Is TWIC required? A: TWIC card is preferred for full terminal access.
Q: What experience is needed? A: Minimum 6 months CDL-A experience preferred; port experience helpful but not mandatory.
Q: What type of freight is hauled? A: Import and export ocean containers including retail, consumer goods, and industrial cargo.
Career Opportunities
This local port container driver role suits CDL-A drivers seeking consistent daily home time in intermodal operations rather than long-haul routes. Drivers comfortable with terminal gate procedures, chassis inspections, container verification, and real-time dispatch adjustments will find the Savannah port environment a stable base. The position emphasizes equipment awareness and communication in a dynamic port setting where daily container volume supports local freight movement. Qualified drivers with safe records can build experience in drayage operations connected to one of the East Coast’s major ports. The role fits experienced drivers who prefer predictable returns each day while working within established port and distribution networks.
CDL-A Local Port Container Driver Jobs in Savannah, GA
Savannah serves as a major East Coast port gateway generating consistent container freight demand. This local port drayage operation moves import and export containers supporting retail distribution, manufacturing, and industrial supply chains throughout the region. Drivers based here work within the Garden City Terminal network and surrounding logistics parks where vessel activity drives daily container availability.
Operations center on I-16 and I-95 corridors connecting the port to Pooler, Rincon, Statesboro, and inland points toward Atlanta. Container movements include deliveries to warehouses and customer yards along with empty returns and repositioning. Terminal gate procedures, chassis management, and appointment coordination form core parts of the daily workflow in this intermodal environment.
The position uses hourly pay with container move incentives and detention compensation. Drivers operate day cab tractors equipped with Samsara ELD on home daily schedules returning to the Savannah area each shift. Equipment includes Freightliner Cascadia and Kenworth T680 models configured for 20- and 40-foot ocean containers.
Freight activity remains active year-round due to ongoing port imports, exports, and regional distribution. Peak periods during retail seasons increase container volume while standard operations continue through varying weather and terminal conditions common to major port markets.
Drivers with Class A CDL experience looking for local container work in Georgia will find this Savannah terminal operation provides structured daily routes focused on port procedures rather than extended highway time. The role supports steady local freight movement within established drayage lanes.
