What part-time work you can do with a CDL

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) opens part-time work that pays more per hour than most entry-level jobs, but the hours and flexibility vary sharply by job type. You can drive for delivery services, haul freight on short routes, operate dump trucks or concrete mixers, drive school buses, or work seasonal harvest transport — all without committing to a full-time trucking career. The catch is that part-time CDL work often means irregular schedules, on-call shifts, or seasonal layoffs, and you'll still need to meet federal hours-of-service rules even if you're working 20 hours a week instead of 60.

The jobs that actually exist part-time fall into two categories: local work that keeps you home most nights, and gig-style work where you pick up shifts. Local work — like ready-mix concrete delivery, propane tank hauling, or local refuse collection — typically pays $18 to $28 per hour and offers somewhat predictable schedules. Gig-style work through apps or day-labor dispatch pays less consistently but lets you control when you work.

Key Takeaways

  • Part-time CDL work exists mainly in local delivery, seasonal hauling, and on-call driving for small fleets, not in long-haul trucking.
  • Federal hours-of-service rules explore to all CDL drivers regardless of hours worked, so you cannot straightforward drive whenever you want.
  • Local delivery and construction-material hauling typically pay $18 to $28 per hour and offer more schedule predictability than gig work.
  • Your CDL class (A, B, or C) and endorsements (tanker, hazmat, doubles) determine which jobs are actually open to you.
  • Many part-time CDL jobs are seasonal or on-call, so income can be uneven even if hourly rates are decent.

Local delivery and last-mile hauling

Local delivery is the most stable part-time CDL work. Companies that deliver ready-mix concrete, propane, heating oil, or building materials often hire part-time drivers because demand spikes on certain days or seasons. You typically work 4 to 6 hours per shift, stay within 50 to 100 miles of a depot, and return home the same day. Pay ranges from $18 to $28 per hour depending on the material, your region, and whether you handle loading or just drive.

These jobs usually require a Class B CDL (for vehicles 26,001 pounds or heavier) or sometimes just a regular driver's license if the vehicle is lighter. Concrete and propane companies often hire part-time because they have predictable busy days — concrete on weekdays when construction is active, propane in winter. You'll need to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical exam and a background check, but the hiring process is usually faster than for trucking companies because turnover is high and they need bodies quickly.

Seasonal and construction-related hauling

Seasonal work is reliable income for specific months but leaves you without work the rest of the year. Harvest transport (grain, produce, or hay) runs from late summer through fall. Snow removal and salt hauling peak in winter. Demolition debris and construction-material hauling is busier in spring and summer. These jobs often pay $20 to $30 per hour because they're temporary and physically demanding.

The trade-off is obvious: you might work 50 hours a week for three months, then have no work for nine months. Some drivers stack seasonal jobs — harvest in fall, snow removal in winter, construction hauling in spring — to piece together year-round income. You'll need a Class B or Class A CDL depending on the equipment, and some jobs require a tanker endorsement (for liquid hauling) or hazmat endorsement (for certain materials). Check the job posting or call the company to confirm which endorsements they need before you explore.

On-call and gig-style driving

Some small fleets and dispatch services hire CDL drivers on an on-call basis. You sign up, stay available, and they text or call when they need a driver for a load. Pay is usually $15 to $22 per hour because you're not may provide hours, and you're responsible for getting to the pickup location. Gig platforms like Roadie or Amazon Flex sometimes use CDL drivers for larger deliveries, though most of their work goes to regular drivers.

On-call work gives you schedule control but creates income uncertainty. You might work 30 hours one week and 5 hours the next. You also need to track your own hours-of-service compliance — if you've already driven 10 hours that day, you cannot take another load even if one comes in. Many drivers use on-call work as a supplement to another job rather than as their primary income.

School bus driving and passenger transport

School districts hire part-time bus drivers for morning and afternoon routes, typically 3 to 4 hours per day, 5 days a week during the school year. Pay ranges from $16 to $24 per hour depending on the district and region. You need a Class B CDL with a passenger endorsement, and you must pass a background check and DOT medical exam. Many districts offer benefits like health insurance even for part-time drivers, which is rare in other CDL work.

The downside is that school bus work is seasonal — you work during the school year and have summers off (unpaid). Some districts hire for summer camps or field trips to fill the gap, but it's not may provide. You also need patience for the job itself: routes are fixed, pay is modest, and you're responsible for student safety and behavior.

What your CDL class and endorsements limit

Your CDL class determines which vehicles you can legally drive. A Class A CDL lets you drive any combination of vehicles (tractor-trailers, doubles, triples). A Class B CDL covers single vehicles over 26,001 pounds (dump trucks, concrete mixers, box trucks). A Class C CDL is for smaller vehicles and is rarely used. Most part-time work uses Class B because the vehicles are smaller and routes are local.

Endorsements add restrictions or permissions. A tanker endorsement is required to haul liquids in bulk (propane, milk, fuel). A hazmat endorsement is required for hazardous materials. A passenger endorsement is required for buses or vans carrying more than 15 people. If a job posting requires an endorsement you don't have, you'll need to pass an additional written test and pay a fee (usually $10 to $15 per endorsement) to add it to your license. This takes a few weeks in most states.

Hours-of-service rules and how they affect part-time work

Federal hours-of-service rules explore to all CDL drivers, regardless of whether you work part-time or full-time. You cannot drive more than 11 hours in a 14-hour window, and you must take a 10-hour break before starting a new 14-hour window. If you drive 8 hours in the morning for one job, you can only drive 3 more hours that day for another job. These rules exist for safety and are enforced by roadside inspections and electronic logbooks.

For part-time work, this means you need to track your hours carefully if you're juggling multiple jobs or picking up shifts. Some part-time drivers work mornings for one company and cannot take afternoon loads because they've already hit their daily limit. Others work only 4 to 6 hours per day specifically to stay under the threshold and avoid the complexity of multi-job tracking. If you're considering part-time CDL work, ask the employer upfront how they handle hours-of-service compliance and whether they use electronic logbooks.

How to find part-time CDL jobs

Part-time CDL jobs are posted on general job boards (Indeed, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace) and on trucking-specific sites (Trucking Jobs, Truck Driver Jobs). Local concrete companies, propane distributors, and waste-management firms often hire directly — call the dispatch office and ask if they need part-time drivers. Seasonal work is easier to find if you contact companies in your region directly in the months before the season starts (call harvest-transport companies in July, snow-removal companies in September).

Staffing agencies that specialize in transportation sometimes have part-time CDL work, though they typically take a cut of your pay. School districts post bus-driver jobs on their websites and on education job boards. On-call dispatch work is usually found by calling small local trucking companies or checking Facebook groups for drivers in your area. Word-of-mouth is often the fastest route — other part-time CDL drivers can point you to companies that actually hire part-time rather than just saying they do.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work part-time with a CDL while keeping another job?

Yes, but you must track your hours-of-service compliance across both jobs. If you drive 8 hours for one employer, you can only drive 3 more hours for another that day. Many part-time CDL drivers work mornings or evenings specifically to avoid hitting the 11-hour daily limit. Check with both employers about how they handle multi-job drivers.

Do I need a DOT medical exam for part-time CDL work?

Yes. Any CDL driver, part-time or full-time, must pass a DOT medical exam and carry a medical certificate. The exam costs $50 to $150 and is valid for two years. You'll need to schedule it with a certified medical examiner in your state before you can legally drive.

What's the difference between part-time and full-time CDL pay?

Part-time CDL work typically pays $15 to $28 per hour depending on the job type. Full-time trucking (long-haul) often pays per mile (30 to 50 cents per mile) rather than hourly, which can total $40,000 to $70,000 per year for experienced drivers. Part-time local work is more predictable hourly pay but fewer total hours.

Can I get part-time CDL work without endorsements?

Yes. Many local delivery jobs (furniture, appliances, general freight) need only a Class B CDL with no endorsements. However, propane, tanker, and hazmat jobs require specific endorsements. Check the job posting to see what's required, and add endorsements only if you find jobs that need them.

Is part-time CDL work seasonal?

Some is, some isn't. Local delivery (concrete, propane, oil) is year-round but may have busier and slower seasons. Harvest and snow removal are strictly seasonal. School bus driving is seasonal (school year only). On-call dispatch work is available year-round but with uneven hours. Choose based on whether you need consistent income or can tolerate gaps.