Not every type of CDL trucking job offers the same pay. Depending on the type of haul you take and the experience you have with different loads, you can earn a much different salary. Gain experience in one of these lucrative types of trucking jobs, and you’ll see the zeros in your paycheck increase.

Here are the 10 highest paying driving jobs in the industry.

1. Ice Road Trucking

Since this is the most dangerous and risky of the driving jobs in the industry, it is also one of the most well payed. Be warned- ice road trucking isn’t for the faint of heart. There’s a reason why the show “Ice Road Truckers” on the History Channel has been very popular. People are fascinated with the courage and skill it takes to be an ice road trucker. These drivers work only a few months of the year but can make a full year’s salary in that short time. They need to be very skilled drivers and fix their trucks in cases of breakdown.

2. Oversized Truck Loads

Driving oversized loads could simply mean that the load is an inch over-width or could mean you’re driving double wide trucks. Since the driving is a bit trickier, these jobs will automatically pay more. You’ll likely need special permits from transportation departments for oversized truck loads. If you don’t like night driving, this job might be for you since you won’t be allowed to drive when it’s dark. It does mean you’ll spend more days on each job, but the pay raise may be worth it.

3. Auto Hauls

You can’t miss these behemoths on the road because they look so intimidating. One truck hauls a dozen or more cars which are likely brand new. These auto haul jobs pay extremely well because of the value of the freight and because they require very skilled driving. If you’re transporting luxury cars, you’ll be payed even higher. Added training may be needed on-the-job since you won’t get exposure to this in truck driving school.

4. Owner-Operators

Being an owner-operator comes with a mountain of responsibility. You’ll have to deal with operational expenses, maintenance, and finding contracts with different companies. Being your own boss can also be potentially rewarding. Since you won’t have to deal with company management, you can see more of your bottom line in your own paycheck. Becoming an owner-operator is a really big decision which most drivers aren’t ready for until they’ve had years of experience under their belt.

5. Over the Road Trucking

In general, over the road (OTR) jobs are going to pay more since they involve long hauls. You’ll be traveling across the country, maybe even coast-to-coast, and will be on the road for long stretches of time. This means it may be weeks till the next time you see your family. The idea is that you’re getting a bigger paycheck for sacrificing the home time. Be careful though and verify the compensation package with your recruiters before signing on for OTR jobs. Many drivers actually enjoy OTR driving since they get to explore the country and visit many incredible places.

6. Tanker Hauls

Tanker trucking jobs pay more than flatbed loads or dry van hauls. This is because they are also considered to be more dangerous since they involve liquids which often move around uncontrollably. In order to land a tanker job, your CDL needs to be endorsed to be a tanker haul driver. This will allow you to gain experience with liquid hauling.

7. Hazmat Hauls

If you’re getting into tanker trucking, consider hazmat jobs as well. These jobs are dangerous since they transport hazardous materials like gas or chemicals. A hazmat endorsement on your CDL is required for these types of jobs. Most tanker hauls are hazmat. Because of the dangerous nature of the haul, these jobs pay significantly well

8. Team Truck Drivers

Team drivers handle one run together so that it can be completed quicker. Companies often use teams when a load needs to reach a destination as soon as possible. A pair of team drivers can cover 2,000 miles in one day while it would have taken twice or three times as long for a solo driver. The two drivers take turns resting so that the truck is still moving even though one of them is sleeping. This is a popular approach for truck driver couples who like spending the time together on the road. Team driving isn’t for everyone though because you’ll be spending a lot of time with the other driver, regardless of whether or not it’s your spouse.

9. Trucking School Instructor

Working in a trucking school to teach new trainees can also be a lucrative job. You also get to stay in one location and avoid the long hours and distances with most trucking jobs. Sometimes drivers decide to take this route after they’ve spent a few years driving and decided they are sick of it, or want to spend more time with their families. Check out local truck driving schools to see if they have any positions open

10. Mining or Dump Truck Driving

It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it. These are non-glamorous driving jobs since the freight is literally garbage or coal. Mining truckers haul coal, rock and oil. Dump trucks carry sand, gravel, or demolition waste. The trucks themselves are unique since they’re specifically designed for this type of job. If you’re working in or around mines, you have to take special care to make sure the mine itself is not disturbed. These jobs can pay well, but make sure you interested and don’t mind getting dirty.

The trucking industry has dozens of types of jobs that are very different in terms of schedule, haul, type of run, and risk involved. It makes sense that not all are going to pay equally well. We’ve identified ten highest paying driving jobs in the industry to help you decide what type to look for. Although you may not always be able to control what types of runs you get assigned to, you can start building experience different jobs and find the ones that best suit you.

The weather can quickly take a nasty turn when least expected. Snow, ice, and sleet are still a possibility this season. Winter weather can significantly raise the risk of driver accidents on the road.

Taking the precautions to prepare for winter weather will help you stay safe on the road and make reach destinations on time. Keep these ten winter driving tips in mind before hitting the road during difficult weather conditions.

1. Vehicle Inspection

Be extra careful during your inspection in the winter months. Check important internal factors like tire pressure, engine oil, and antifreeze levels. Complete a visual, hands-on inspection of all tires, wiper blades, and lights. Maintain at least a half a tank of gas during the winter in case you need to run the engine while stopped on the side of the road. Make sure heat and defroster are functioning normally to keep yourself and the truck warm

2. Slow Down

This may be a no-brainer, but worth repeating. While driving in snow or ice, take the effort to drive slower than you usually do. The speed limits posted are for ideal conditions and should be kept lower for winter weather. Basically, you want to compensate for the poor traction on snow-filled roads.

Hydroplaning occurs when water builds between the wheels and the road surface, leading to loss of traction. Hydroplaning prevents the vehicle from responding to controls as quickly. Slowing down gives you more time to react if anything suddenly changes.

3. Allow More Space

Ideally, stopping distance should be twice as much on a wet road as on a dry one. Leave plenty of room between your truck and the vehicle in front of you so that you have enough space to move out of the way in case of unpredictable situations. Avoid driving in packs. Usually, you may want to herd with other trucks on the road, but in winter weather this can be a disadvantage. Find a way to get away from the rest of traffic so that you’re driving alone.

4. Avoid Sudden Changes

Speaking of sudden changes, try to avoid them! If you need to change speed or direction, try to do so gently. You mainly want to remain smooth and avoid anything that reduces traction. Instead of sudden braking, try pumping your brakes if you need to slow down quickly. Similarly, avoid sudden acceleration or cornering. If your truck comes equipped with anti-lock braking system, now is the time to use it. This will avoid the change of locking the tires and spinning out of control.

5. Pay Attention to Tire Spray

Tire spray is a good measure of how wet the road is. Observe the water coming off the tires of vehicles around you. The more wet the road is, the more careful you have to be about slowing, maintaining distance, and keeping traction.

If there is less tire spray, the roads may have started to ice over. Watch for black ice- that’s a layer of transparent ice that makes the road look wet.

6. Route Preparation

Keeping up to date with the weather conditions will go a long way towards being prepared for what’s coming your way. Use GPS apps or information provided by dispatch to know which roads may be closed. Telematics can help you know where other drivers are, the routes they are taking, and opportunities to find safer routes. Maps will also help you locate rest stops for nearby shelter if needed.

7. Always Turn on Headlights

Another obvious one, but you may be surprised how often we all forget to implement this. Headlights are always a must during snow or rain, but also during low visibility conditions like fog or mist. Having the lights on will allow others to know where you are. Be sure to clear off snow and ice from the headlights whenever you have stopped.

8. Pull Over if Needed

If driving conditions are extremely severe, pull over to be on the safe side. Don’t worry about the schedule and coordinate the situation with dispatch.

Get off the road and find a safe place to wait for conditions to improve. While rest stops are ideal, don’t be opposed to stopping elsewhere if the nearest rest stop is too far away.

9. Winter Driving Kit

Having with the right equipment before any route during the winter will help you stay prepared for emergencies. Here’s the minimum of what should go in your winter driving kit: extra layers of clothing, gloves, flashlight, blanket, batteries, non-perishable food and water, bags of sand, salt and windshield washer fluid, windshield scraper and brush, jumper cables, first-aid kit, tire chains and traction mats.

10. Take Extra Care on Bridges

Bridges and highway overpasses usually freeze first since they are more elevated. To make matters worse, bridges may not be treated with ice/snow melt materials as quickly as main roads and highways. Take particular caution to drive on these and avoid them if possible. Look for alternate routes, even if they add some additional time.