How to Write a Truck Driver Resume
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.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
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 – refrigerated haulers, long-haul, etc. – and mention your overlapping years of experience. You may also want to cite any special endorsements (such as 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 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 2+ years’ 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. Try to 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 your 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 ~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 education and credentials on your resume. Note, 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 skills and soft skills, which reflect your strengths as an employee. Below are some common skills hiring managers look for in truck drivers.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Cargo Handling | Cost Reduction |
| Customer Relations & 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 Problem-Solving |
| Recordkeeping | Road Assessment |
| Schedule Management | Team Collaboration |
| Technical Troubleshooting | Time Management |
| Traffic Law Compliance | Vehicle & Equipment Maintenance |
| Workplace Safety | |
How to Pick the Best Truck Driver Resume Template
A good template can help you more quickly draft your truck driver resume. Pick one that’s simple and straightforward, with a clear font style, conservative color scheme, and bullet points for easy skimming.
Truck Driver Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Caleb Burton
(503) 123-4567
[email protected]
5674 Westbury Lane, Portland, OR 97203
Profile
Proactive, dependable Heavy Truck Driver with zero safety incidents over 7+ years’ experience. Offer advanced knowledge of local routes, safety guidelines, and navigation systems. Motivated to deliver superior client service with every interaction.
Key Skills
- Customer Relations & Service
- Reporting & Documentation
- Team Collaboration
- Workplace Safety
Professional Experience
Dump Truck Driver, RiverBend Materials, Salem, OR | April 2019 to Present
- Operate dump trucks and semi-tractor trucks with attached trailers throughout Willamette Valley
- Deliver dirt, asphalt, aggregate, and other materials to various job sites
- Keep an accurate log of deliveries, and complete billing paperwork
- Inspect truck and trailer before and after each trip, keeping equipment in a clean and safe condition
Highlight:
- Awarded certificate for excellence in safety protocols
CDL-A Regional Dry Van Truck Driver, Western Express, Sherwood, OR | April 2015 to March 2019
- Operated tractor-trailer trucks with capacity of 26,000+ pounds per gross vehicle weight
- Used GPS to transport goods over intercity and interstate routes
- Promptly loaded and unloaded cargo in compliance with all safety guidelines
- Maintained detailed trip and cargo records
- Reported any mechanical problems or adverse road conditions to appropriate personnel
Education
CDL Training, Western Pacific Truck School of Oregon, Portland, OR | 2015
Graduate, Hudson’s Bay High School, Vancouver, WA | 2013
Credentials
Non-Excepted Interstate Class A CDL
Tanker Vehicles Endorsement
Hazardous Materials Endorsement
Medical Examiner’s Certificate
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Frequently Asked Questions: Truck Driver Resume Examples and Advice
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 that jobs for truck drivers will increase by about four percent (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. You should highlight your foreign language skills in your profile and in a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each job opportunity.
What is the best truck driver resume format?-
In nearly all cases, you should use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume, because it’s easiest 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.
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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. Try to expand on relevant highlights from your resume and explain why the company or organization appeals to you.
