Truck Driver Jobs for OPT Students
Truck Driver jobs on OPT are limited but possible for F-1 students with a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and the right employer. Most roles fall outside traditional specialty occupation categories, so understanding your authorization timeline and employer requirements upfront is critical to a successful job search.
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Get Access To All JobsCDL-A Truck Driver Local, Starting at $35.57 hr
1st Shift, Full-Time, Monday - Friday
Our drivers are home every day!
Earn 1 week of vacation after 90 days of employment and enjoy an excellent benefits package that includes our very own employee resorts.
R+L Carriers has immediate opportunities for CDL A City P&D Drivers at our Colonial Heights, VA Service Center. As a City P&D Driver you will be responsible for city delivery and pickup of freight and returning to the terminal daily. This includes multiple stops per working day, working with scanning equipment, working directly with customers, and completing potential liftgate deliveries using an electric pallet jack.
R+L Carriers - Women in Trucking
Company Culture
Requirements
- CDL Class A
- 1 yr. combined verifiable Class A driving experience within the past 3 years
- Good driving record / MVR and PSP, with no commercial serious violations and no more than 3 moving violations total within the past 3 years
- Age 23, 21 if successfully met the FMCSA specs to transition from military to civilian CDL
- Must be able to operate equipment safely at all times
- Must be able to pass pre-employment DOT Physical and drug screen
- Must be able to complete a successful road test
- Must be able to bend, lift and stoop without difficulty
- Must be dependable
Preferred:
- Drivers with Tanker and Haz-mat CDL endorsements
- Experienced hauling Haz-mat
- Local delivery experience
- LTL experience
- Electric pallet jack experience
Benefits: R+L Carriers offers an excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Plan with company matching contributions, Paid Vacation & Holidays, and vacation lodging at our exclusive employee resorts in Daytona Beach, FL, Big Bear Lake, CA, Pigeon Forge, TN, and Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
About us: R+L Carriers is a family owned, privately held transportation company founded in 1965. Our business caters to the transportation and distribution industry and is designed to provide customers with superior service through efficient administration and innovative thinking. The Company prides itself in treating our employees and customers with respect and honesty. We believe each employee contributes directly to the Company’s growth and success. There are many other transportation companies capable of picking up and delivering freight. However, we believed our customers select us because of the efforts of our employees.
R+L Carriers Shared Services, LLC (“R+L Carriers”) and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. R+L Carriers will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a test or job interview) if so requested. When completing this application, you may exclude information that would disclose or otherwise reference your race, religion, age, sex, genetic, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by federal or state law. This application is considered current for ninety (90) days only. At the end of this period, if you are still interested in employment, it will be necessary for you to reapply by completing a new application.
CDL-A Truck Driver Local, Starting at $35.57 hr
1st Shift, Full-Time, Monday - Friday
Our drivers are home every day!
Earn 1 week of vacation after 90 days of employment and enjoy an excellent benefits package that includes our very own employee resorts.
R+L Carriers has immediate opportunities for CDL A City P&D Drivers at our Colonial Heights, VA Service Center. As a City P&D Driver you will be responsible for city delivery and pickup of freight and returning to the terminal daily. This includes multiple stops per working day, working with scanning equipment, working directly with customers, and completing potential liftgate deliveries using an electric pallet jack.
R+L Carriers - Women in Trucking
Company Culture
Requirements
- CDL Class A
- 1 yr. combined verifiable Class A driving experience within the past 3 years
- Good driving record / MVR and PSP, with no commercial serious violations and no more than 3 moving violations total within the past 3 years
- Age 23, 21 if successfully met the FMCSA specs to transition from military to civilian CDL
- Must be able to operate equipment safely at all times
- Must be able to pass pre-employment DOT Physical and drug screen
- Must be able to complete a successful road test
- Must be able to bend, lift and stoop without difficulty
- Must be dependable
Preferred:
- Drivers with Tanker and Haz-mat CDL endorsements
- Experienced hauling Haz-mat
- Local delivery experience
- LTL experience
- Electric pallet jack experience
Benefits: R+L Carriers offers an excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance, 401(k) Retirement Plan with company matching contributions, Paid Vacation & Holidays, and vacation lodging at our exclusive employee resorts in Daytona Beach, FL, Big Bear Lake, CA, Pigeon Forge, TN, and Ocean Isle Beach, NC.
About us: R+L Carriers is a family owned, privately held transportation company founded in 1965. Our business caters to the transportation and distribution industry and is designed to provide customers with superior service through efficient administration and innovative thinking. The Company prides itself in treating our employees and customers with respect and honesty. We believe each employee contributes directly to the Company’s growth and success. There are many other transportation companies capable of picking up and delivering freight. However, we believed our customers select us because of the efforts of our employees.
R+L Carriers Shared Services, LLC (“R+L Carriers”) and its subsidiary companies will provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. R+L Carriers will provide reasonable accommodations to allow an applicant to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a test or job interview) if so requested. When completing this application, you may exclude information that would disclose or otherwise reference your race, religion, age, sex, genetic, veteran status, disability or any other status protected by federal or state law. This application is considered current for ninety (90) days only. At the end of this period, if you are still interested in employment, it will be necessary for you to reapply by completing a new application.
How to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Truck Driver
Obtain your CDL before OPT begins
A Commercial Driver's License is the baseline requirement for nearly every truck driving position. Start the licensing process while still in school so you enter your OPT period ready to work, not waiting on credentials.
Target large fleet employers
Large logistics and freight companies are more experienced with work authorization paperwork than small owner-operators. Carriers with dedicated HR departments are better positioned to verify and support your OPT employment authorization documentation correctly.
Carry your EAD card at all times
Federal regulations require commercial drivers to carry valid work authorization documents. Your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card must be on your person during every shift, not just during onboarding, to stay compliant with both USCIS and DOT requirements.
Track your OPT end date obsessively
Standard OPT lasts 12 months. STEM extension is not available for Truck Driver roles since the position does not meet specialty occupation or STEM criteria. Know your exact expiration date and plan your next visa step well in advance.
Understand DOT physical and drug test requirements
Commercial driving roles require a DOT physical exam and drug screening before employment. These federal requirements apply regardless of immigration status, so budget time and cost for these steps when planning your OPT job search timeline.
Clarify employment structure with the employer upfront
Some carriers classify drivers as independent contractors rather than employees. OPT requires authorized employment, and contractor arrangements may create compliance complications. Confirm you will be classified as a W-2 employee before accepting any offer.
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Get Access To All JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Can F-1 OPT students legally work as Truck Drivers in the United States?
Yes, F-1 students on OPT can work as Truck Drivers as long as the job is directly related to their field of study and they hold a valid EAD card. The challenge is that most university programs that could support this are in logistics, transportation management, or supply chain fields. Students should confirm the connection between their degree and the role with their DSO before accepting an offer.
Is a STEM OPT extension available for Truck Driver positions?
No. Truck Driver roles are not classified under STEM degree categories recognized by the Department of Homeland Security, so STEM OPT extension is not an option for this position. F-1 students working as Truck Drivers are limited to the standard 12-month OPT period. Planning a transition to a different visa category before OPT expires is essential if you intend to continue working in the U.S.
What documents do I need to show an employer as an OPT student Truck Driver?
You will need your valid EAD card, your F-1 visa, your current I-20 with OPT authorization noted, and your passport. For commercial driving specifically, you also need a valid CDL and DOT medical certificate. Employers complete Form I-9 for all employees, and your EAD is a valid List A document for that process. Keep digital copies of everything in case originals are requested during roadside inspections.
How do I find Truck Driver employers who are comfortable hiring OPT students?
Large national carriers and logistics companies with established HR departments are generally more familiar with OPT work authorization than regional or independent operators. Migrate Mate lists employers with a track record of sponsoring or supporting international students, making it easier to identify which companies are open to OPT hires. Focus your outreach on fleet-based operations rather than small trucking businesses to improve your chances.
Does working as an independent contractor count toward OPT employment requirements?
Self-employment on OPT is technically permitted under certain conditions, but contractor arrangements with a single company can be scrutinized by USCIS. For Truck Drivers specifically, being classified as an independent contractor rather than a W-2 employee creates significant compliance risk. USCIS requires that OPT employment be legitimate and traceable. A formal employee classification with payroll records and an employer of record is the safest structure for OPT compliance.
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