🗺 Location & Routes
- Base city: Fort Wayne, IN
- Route type: Local Dedicated Shuttle (Automotive)
- Freight: Automotive parts, JIT components, assembly supply freight
- Schedule: Fixed plant-driven shifts with peak production swing coverage
📋 Job Description
- Pre-trip & post-trip inspections under DOT Part 396 compliance
- ELD logging via Ryder fleet telematics systems (Samsara/Geotab equivalent)
- Shuttle automotive parts between supplier yards and assembly plants on strict schedules
- Drop & hook trailer operations with tight dock backing requirements
- Maintain tandem axle load distribution during short-haul moves
- Operate in time-sensitive JIT freight cycles supporting production lines
✅ Requirements
CDL Class A
Valid CDL-A license required
Experience
1+ year preferred, automotive or shuttle experience a plus
Age
Minimum 21 years old
MVR
Clean driving record, no major violations
Physical
Light dock work, securement checks, occasional pallet handling
Endorsements
None required (HazMat not required)
🚛 Equipment & Fleet
- Truck assignment: Slip-seated dedicated Ryder shuttle fleet (day cab rotation)
- Fleet average age: 2021–2024 mixed units
- Features: Freightliner Cascadia, Volvo VNL, Kenworth T680 / collision mitigation, lane assist, dash cams
🏠 Home Time
- Home daily, return after shift completion to Fort Wayne terminal
- Schedule tied to plant production cycles; overtime possible during line surges and backlog recovery windows
📍 Real Routes Our Drivers Take
- Fort Wayne, IN → Detroit, MI via I-69 / I-94 (automotive plant-to-plant parts flow, tight JIT delivery windows)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Chicago, IL via I-69 / I-80 / I-90 (high-density Midwest freight corridor, congestion near Chicago DC zones)
- Fort Wayne, IN → Indianapolis, IN via I-69 (regional supplier shuttle loop, fast-turn warehouse replenishment cycle)
🎁 Benefits & Bonus Structure
📝 Hiring Process
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the truck governed?
Yes, most Ryder fleet units are governed around 65–68 mph depending on account and safety settings. Fuel policy and telematics compliance affect speed limits.
Are driver-facing cameras used?
Forward-facing dash cams are standard. Some accounts may include driver-event recording based on safety scorecard requirements.
Is dispatch forced or assigned?
Dispatch is account-based and pre-planned around plant production. Shuttle drivers run assigned loops with limited deviation due to JIT freight timing.
What is the detention pay structure?
Detention may begin after 2 hours with dispatch approval and verified ELD documentation. Payment is processed in standard payroll cycles, not instant release.
Are pets allowed?
Not typically on slip-seated shuttle accounts. Vehicle assignment rotation and shared equipment policy restrict personal pet transport.
Is home time reliable under real traffic conditions?
Home time is generally daily, but plant delays, dock congestion, and late inbound trailers can shift return timing by several hours.
💼 Career Opportunities
Automotive shuttle demand in Fort Wayne stays steady due to continuous Midwest manufacturing flow between Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio supplier networks. Drivers in this role operate tight JIT loops where on-time performance directly impacts production uptime, and dispatch reliability becomes more important than mileage accumulation. Over time, experienced drivers can move into higher-responsibility dedicated accounts, safety lead roles, or trainer positions supporting new shuttle operators. Some transition into dispatch or terminal coordination after proving consistent ELD compliance and low incident performance. Freight demand remains stable year-round, but peak production cycles increase workload intensity and require flexible shift adaptation rather than fixed routine planning.
🔗 Ryder Dedicated Automotive Shuttle Driver – Fort Wayne, IN
Fort Wayne automotive freight moves through dense Midwest supply corridors feeding Detroit, Chicago, and Indiana assembly plants. This dedicated shuttle role operates short-cycle JIT freight where timing discipline matters more than mileage. Drivers run repeat lanes between supplier yards and manufacturing plants, often under tight dock windows and production-driven dispatch schedules. Congestion near Chicago and seasonal manufacturing surges can affect cycle timing, requiring flexible ELD planning and strict adherence to appointment schedules.
🚀 Apply for This CDL-A Position
Complete the form below to apply for Ryder Dedicated Automotive Shuttle Driver – Parts Supply Network in Fort Wayne, IN.
