Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta: How to Get Started and Where to Look

Atlanta is one of the busiest freight hubs in the Southeast, which makes truck driving jobs in Atlanta consistently in demand. Whether you are new to trucking, moving to the city, or already an experienced CDL driver, Atlanta offers a wide range of local, regional, and over-the-road opportunities.

This guide walks through how trucking jobs work in Atlanta, what to expect, where to train, and practical next steps to get hired.

Why Atlanta Is a Major City for Truck Driving Jobs

Atlanta sits at the crossroads of major interstates like I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285, and it serves:

• Major distribution centers and warehouses
• The Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport cargo network
• Rail yards and intermodal facilities
• Regional and national freight corridors

Because of this, Atlanta drivers can often find:

• Local routes (home daily or most nights)
• Regional jobs across Georgia and nearby states
• OTR (over-the-road) positions covering longer distances

For many drivers, the city offers a mix of steady freight, multiple employer options, and varied schedules.

Types of Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta

Different trucking jobs in Atlanta come with different schedules, pay structures, and lifestyle tradeoffs. Here are the main options you will see in the area.

1. Local / City Driver Jobs

Local jobs usually keep you within metro Atlanta or nearby towns and have you home most nights.

Common examples:

• Deliveries to grocery stores, restaurants, and retailers
• Local LTL (less-than-truckload) freight pick-ups and drop-offs
• Warehouse-to-warehouse shuttle work around the I‑285 perimeter

Typical features:

• Shifts: Often day or night shifts; may include weekends
• Home time: Home daily or nearly daily
• Driving: Frequent stops, backing into tight docks, city traffic

Atlanta’s dense metro area, including Marietta, Decatur, College Park, Forest Park, and Lithonia, has many local driving routes tied to distribution centers and food-service hubs.

2. Regional Trucking Jobs

Regional drivers typically run through Georgia and surrounding states, such as Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida.

What to expect:

• Time out: Often 2–5 days out at a time
• Home time: Regular weekly or biweekly home time
• Routes: Mix of highway and some city deliveries

From Atlanta, regional freight is common due to the city’s role as a Southeast distribution hub.

3. Over-the-Road (OTR) Jobs

OTR drivers based in Atlanta may run coast-to-coast or across large portions of the country.

Common characteristics:

• Time out: Often 1–3 weeks on the road
• Home time: Several days off between runs
• Driving: Long highway stretches, irregular schedules

Atlanta is a frequent origin and destination city for national carriers, so many large companies hire Atlanta-based OTR drivers and route them through local terminals or drop yards.

4. Specialized Trucking Jobs

With experience and extra training, you may qualify for more specialized roles:

• Tanker (liquids like fuel or chemicals)
• Flatbed (building materials, machinery)
• Refrigerated (reefer) (perishable food, pharma)
• Hazmat (requires a hazardous materials endorsement)
• Intermodal (containers to and from rail yards and facilities near the Norfolk Southern or CSX terminals)

Specialized jobs in Atlanta are often tied to industrial areas, ports of entry, and rail yards, especially on the south and west sides of the metro area.

5. Delivery and Box Truck (Non-CDL) Roles

If you do not yet have a CDL, you can still find:

• Box truck and sprinter van delivery positions
• Local last-mile delivery jobs
• Some warehouse/driver helper hybrids

These roles often operate in and around dense neighborhoods and commercial districts like Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, and the surrounding suburbs.

CDL Requirements to Drive Trucks in Atlanta

To drive most commercial trucks in Atlanta, you will need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) issued by the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS).

CDL Classes

• Class A: For combination vehicles (tractor-trailers). Opens the most doors in Atlanta, especially for regional and OTR work.
• Class B: For straight trucks (box trucks, some dump trucks, certain buses).
• Class C: For smaller vehicles carrying passengers or hazardous materials (less common for general freight).

For most truck driving jobs in Atlanta, especially with tractor-trailers, Class A is the main target.

Endorsements That Matter in Atlanta

Certain jobs may require endorsements added to your CDL:

• T (Double/Triple Trailers): Used by some LTL carriers
• N (Tank Vehicles): For tanker work
• H (Hazardous Materials): For hazmat loads
• X (Tanker + Hazmat combined)
• P (Passenger) and S (School Bus) for passenger transport

Atlanta’s fuel terminals, chemical plants, food distributors, and industrial corridors often need tanker and hazmat drivers, so these endorsements can increase job options.

Where to Get CDL Training in Atlanta

You can obtain training through private truck driving schools, community/technical colleges, or employer-sponsored programs.

Georgia DDS Locations for CDL Testing in Metro Atlanta

You will take your written and road tests through Georgia DDS. Some relevant offices include:

• Georgia DDS – Atlanta Customer Service Center
  400 Whitehall St SW
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Phone: (678) 413‑8400

• Georgia DDS – Forest Park Customer Service Center
  5036 GA-85
  Forest Park, GA 30297
  Phone: (678) 413‑8400

• Georgia DDS – Norcross Customer Service Center
  2211 Beaver Ruin Rd
  Norcross, GA 30071
  Phone: (678) 413‑8400

Always confirm which locations offer CDL services, skills testing, and appointment availability before you go.

Types of CDL Training Options

1. Private CDL Schools
   Typically offer:

   • 3–8 week programs
   • Classroom plus yard/road practice
   • Help with test preparation and sometimes job placement

2. Technical Colleges / Community Colleges
   Some schools within driving distance of Atlanta offer CDL training programs with:

   • Structured courses
   • Access to financial aid or payment plans in some cases

3. Employer-Sponsored Training
   Some trucking companies with operations in or near Atlanta:

   • Provide CDL training at low or no upfront cost
   • May require a work commitment after you obtain your CDL

What Employers in Atlanta Are Looking For

Hiring requirements can vary, but many Atlanta-area trucking employers commonly expect:

• Valid Georgia CDL (usually Class A)
• Clean driving record or limited violations
• Ability to pass a DOT physical and drug/alcohol screening
• Eligibility to work in the U.S.
• Minimum age (often 21+ for interstate trucking; some intrastate roles may hire at 18+ under Georgia rules)
• Basic English communication skills for safety and paperwork

Many employers may also prefer:

• Experience with Atlanta traffic and routes
• Familiarity with ELDs (electronic logging devices)
• Ability to navigate industrial areas, rail yards, and tight city streets

Typical Schedules and Lifestyles for Atlanta Truck Drivers

Because Atlanta traffic, weather, and freight patterns are unique, the day-to-day reality differs by job type.

Local Drivers in Atlanta

• Start times: Can be very early (3–6 a.m.) or later shifts
• Traffic: Regular exposure to heavy congestion, especially near I‑285, GA‑400, I‑75/85 Connector
• Workload: Multiple stops, deliveries to stores, restaurants, or warehouses
• Home time: Usually home daily, but may work long shifts

Regional Drivers Based in Atlanta

• Routes: Typically leave from Atlanta, run to nearby states, then return
• Home schedule: Weekly or every few days, depending on the route
• Facilities: May use Atlanta-area terminals or drop yards for rest breaks and equipment swaps

OTR Drivers Living in Atlanta

• Dispatch: Often start/end trips in Atlanta or nearby terminals
• Parking: Many drivers park at company yards, truck stops, or designated secure lots outside dense residential areas
• Lifestyle: Longer periods away from home, more highway miles, less city congestion compared to local work

Where Atlanta Truck Drivers Typically Park and Operate

Because parking large trucks inside residential neighborhoods can be restricted, drivers often rely on:

• Truck stops around key interstate exits surrounding Atlanta
• Company terminals and dedicated yards in industrial areas (e.g., near Forest Park, Ellenwood, Lithonia, Doraville, and Union City)
• Dedicated customer lots for pickups and drop-offs

Knowing the truck-friendly routes around the city, such as sections of I‑285 used to bypass the Downtown Connector, is a major plus when applying for Atlanta-based truck driving jobs.

How to Find Truck Driving Jobs in Atlanta

Once you have or are close to obtaining a CDL, there are several ways to search.

1. Online Job Boards and Local Filters

Use job sites and filter:

• Location: Atlanta, GA (and surrounding cities like Marietta, Decatur, Norcross, College Park)
• Job type: CDL A, CDL B, local, regional, OTR
• Experience level: Entry-level, 6+ months, 1+ year, etc.

Look at:

• Route types (local vs regional vs OTR)
• Home time (daily, weekly, etc.)
• Type of freight and equipment

2. Company Career Pages

Many trucking and logistics companies that operate in Atlanta post openings on their own career pages, especially for:

• Drivers based out of Atlanta-area terminals
• Yard hostlers and shuttle drivers
• Local pickup and delivery positions

Search specifically for “Atlanta, GA” as the home base or domicile location.

3. CDL Schools and Placement Services

Many Atlanta-area CDL training programs maintain relationships with employers who regularly hire graduates. These programs may:

• Hold recruiter visits
• Share job listings for local and regional roles
• Help you prepare a CDL-focused resume

If you train locally, ask instructors and staff about Atlanta-based carriers that regularly hire new drivers.

4. State and Local Employment Resources

You can also look for CDL-related roles using public employment resources, such as:

• Georgia Department of Labor Career Centers
  Example nearby center:
  Georgia Department of Labor – Atlanta Workforce Development
  (Locations can change; confirm current address and phone through the main Georgia DOL contact line, 404‑232‑3001.)

These resources often list:

• Local and regional trucking jobs
• Job fairs targeting drivers and logistics workers
• Resume and interview assistance

Key Skills That Help You Succeed Driving in Atlanta

Atlanta’s mix of urban congestion, frequent construction, and complex interchanges means certain skills are especially valuable:

• Strong defensive driving habits in heavy traffic
• Confidence backing into tight docks and alleys
• Familiarity with major truck routes and restricted roads
• Patience with rush-hour bottlenecks and occasional road closures
• Basic mechanical awareness to spot equipment issues early
• Solid time management, especially when dealing with Atlanta’s unpredictable traffic while still meeting appointment windows

Drivers who learn the city layout and common freight corridors (for example, industrial areas near Fulton Industrial Boulevard, South Atlanta, and the I‑20 West corridor) often find work easier and more efficient.

Practical Step-by-Step Path to a Truck Driving Job in Atlanta

Use this simple roadmap if you are starting from scratch in Atlanta.

1. Confirm Eligibility

• Meet age requirements (usually 18+ for intrastate, 21+ for interstate)
• Hold a valid standard Georgia driver’s license
• Be prepared for a background check and drug/alcohol testing

2. Get Your CDL Permit

• Study the Georgia Commercial Driver’s Manual
• Visit a DDS customer service center (such as the Atlanta or Forest Park locations) to take your written knowledge tests and get your Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

3. Enroll in CDL Training

• Choose a CDL school or program in or near Atlanta
• Practice pre-trip inspections, backing maneuvers, and road driving
• Decide whether you want Class A or Class B, based on job goals

4. Take Your Skills Test

• Schedule your CDL road/skills test with Georgia DDS
• Use your school’s truck or an approved vehicle
• Once you pass, you can upgrade your CLP to a full CDL

5. Add Endorsements (Optional But Helpful)

• Consider hazmat, tanker, or other endorsements for broader job options in Atlanta’s industrial and fuel sectors

6. Apply for Jobs

• Target Atlanta-based local, regional, or OTR positions
• Ask about:
  • Home time
  • Type of freight
  • Starting pay structure (per mile, hourly, or route-based)
  • Training for new drivers

7. Learn Atlanta-Specific Routes and Rules

• Get familiar with truck-restricted routes, low bridges, and common delivery areas in and around I‑285
• Practice planning your trips around rush-hour windows where possible

Quick Snapshot: Truck Driving Job Options Around Atlanta

For anyone living in or moving to Atlanta, truck driving can offer a wide range of schedules and career paths, from city-based delivery routes to long-haul national freight. By getting the right CDL, choosing a training path that fits your needs, and focusing your search on Atlanta-area employers, you can position yourself for a steady trucking career in one of the Southeast’s busiest transportation hubs.