To write an effective resume for truck driver jobs, you’ll need to show you can transport goods by land safely and efficiently. The tips and examples below will help you capture this skill on your resume so it gets you interviews for your next truck driver job.
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Truck Driver Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Truck Driver Resume
1. Create a profile by summarizing your truck driver qualifications
In a brief paragraph, your profile should give the top three to five reasons hiring managers can expect you to carry out successful deliveries.
Consider the specific type of truck driver job you want – such as refrigerated haulers or long-haul – and mention your overlapping years of experience. You can also cite any special endorsements (like hazardous materials) to show you have the training and knowledge the job requires. Since most of a truck driver’s work time is unsupervised, focus and accountability are often sought-after traits. Consider citing these in your profile to see if they align with your skill set.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Dedicated truck driver with over 10 years of experience making prompt, professional deliveries. Skilled at using maps and navigation systems to plan and follow the most efficient route. Draw on extensive knowledge of DOT regulations.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Hardworking truck driver with over two years of experience driving various haulers to deliver goods. Avert safety hazards by drawing on extensive knowledge of mechanical aspects. Clean driving record.
2. Create a powerful list of your truck driver experience
View the experience section as a chance to give examples of your related work background. This approach is the best way to convince hiring managers you’d succeed at their company.
Review your recent work history, flesh out each truck-driving job with relevant details, and give just the basics on unrelated jobs. Employers want to know you understand DOT regulations, can maintain required documentation, and will actively avoid accidents or other issues. Add bullet points on any success you’ve had or awards you’ve won for motor vehicle safety or work efficiency. Also, consider describing how your work helped employers or customers – what was the wider benefit of completing large deliveries accurately and by the deadline?
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Truck Driver
XPO Logistics Inc, Orange, CA | July 2015 – present
- Make safe, on-time deliveries while following all traffic laws and company procedures
- Maintain up-to-date travel logs and delivery tracking records
- Use two-way radios to communicate any traffic accidents or adverse road conditions to head office and other drivers
- Maintain a professional image reflecting and upholding the brand values
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
OTR Truck Driver
Stephen Mercier Transport, Louisville, TN | September 2020 – present
- Drive freight, flatbed, and refrigerated haulers about 1,500 miles per week
- Proactively inspect and repair vehicles to prevent accidents, injury, or malfunction
Highlights:
- Maintained 97% customer satisfaction and delivered to schedule 98% of the time
- Commended for maintaining accurate logbook records
3. List your education and certifications relevant to truck drivers
Show your knowledge base by giving the basic details of any degrees you’ve earned or truck-driving schools you’ve attended, along with your commercial driver’s license.
Additional credentials and endorsements can make you a stronger candidate by showing that you can transport a wider range of goods. List your hazmat, liquid/tank cargo, or double/triple trailer endorsement prominently.
Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and credentials on your resume. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].
Credentials
Template
- Credential Name, [Issuing Organization] | [Year]
Example
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement
Education
Template
- Degree or Program Name
- School Name, City, State Abbreviation | [Graduation Year]
Example
- CDL Training
- Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon, Portland, OR | 2015
4. Make a list of your truck driver-related skills and proficiencies
Include a key skills section to show the various ways you can contribute as a truck driver for your target employers. Your skills will generally fall into two categories: technical driving and soft skills, which reflect your strengths as an employee. Below are some common capabilities hiring managers look for in truck drivers.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Cargo handling | Cost reduction |
| Customer relations and service | Defensive driving |
| Delivery route planning | Detention time reduction |
| Dispatcher communications | Efficiency improvement |
| Electronic logging device (ELD) | Emergency protocols |
| Hazardous materials | Highway navigation |
| Motor vehicle mechanics | Rapid solution-finding |
| Recordkeeping | Road assessment |
| Schedule management | Team collaboration |
| Technical troubleshooting | Time management |
| Traffic law compliance | Vehicle and equipment maintenance |
| Workplace safety | |
How To Pick the Best Truck Driver Resume Template
A good template can help you draft your truck driver resume more quickly. Pick one that’s simple and straightforward, with a clear font style, conservative color scheme, and bullet points for easy skimming.
Frequently Asked Questions: Truck Driver Resume Examples and Advice
How can I customize my Truck Driver CV for a specific job role?-
Customizing your Truck Driver CV involves closely analyzing the job description and ensuring that you include the relevant skills and accomplishments that align with the employer’s needs. Use specific keywords from the job posting, and focus on tailoring your profile summary and professional experience sections to match the responsibilities of the position you're applying for.
What are common action verbs for truck driver resumes?-
Strong action verbs help show the value of your daily duties and position you as a great candidate in your field. See the below list for commonly useful action verbs on truck driver resumes.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Assessed |
| Completed | Delivered |
| Documented | Drove |
| Earned | Ensured |
| Expedited | Focused |
| Followed | Improved |
| Inspected | Loaded |
| Maintained | Minimized |
| Monitored | Navigated |
| Operated | Organized |
| Planned | Prevented |
| Ranked | Reduced |
| Repaired | Resolved |
| Responded | Scheduled |
| Secured | Streamlined |
| Transported | Unloaded |
| Won | |
How do you align your resume with a job posting?-
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts truck driver jobs will increase by about 4% (or 90,900 positions) between 2021 and 2031.
You can get more interviews in this field if you tailor your resume for each application. For example, suppose the company wants someone with experience delivering a certain product type. In that case, mention any related expertise in your profile and key skills sections. Or say the company has many non-English speaking customers. Highlight your foreign language skills in your profile and in a separate section farther down the document. Adjustments like these can make your resume more relevant to each job opportunity.
What is the best truck driver resume format?-
In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume, because it’s simplest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience – it’s also easiest for you to align with your job goals.
With the combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also add a Career Highlights or Awards section. By choosing the details for your intro, you can (a) position yourself for your target job and (b) give hiring managers a clear, quick view of what you offer.
Should my truck driver resume be one or two pages?-
Your truck driver resume should ideally be one page, especially if you have fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume can be effective for seasoned professionals with a longer track record if it highlights accomplishments and skills directly relevant to the job. Every detail should add value and strengthen your candidacy.
Limit your work experience to the past 10 to 15 years, unless earlier positions are highly relevant. Keeping your resume concise and targeted will make a strong and memorable impression on potential employers.
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Once you finish your resume, it’s time to start thinking about your cover letter. Truck driver cover letters should focus on the employer’s needs. Expand on relevant highlights from your resume and explain why the company or organization appeals to you.
