Truck Driver Resume Examples & Templates
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Truck driver resume sample (text version)
SHIRLEY OGDEN
Sacramento, CA 95820
555-555-5555
example-emali@example.com
Professional Summary
Truck driver adept at navigation and efficient on-time deliveries. Personable and energetic with a clean driving record and solid work history operating trucks and trailers. Dependable and committed to getting each job done quickly, efficiently and safely. Over 15 years of experience in a distribution environment with in-depth knowledge of DOT regulations.
Work History
February 2011 – Current
Traditional Freight Services – Sacramento, CA
Senior Truck Driver
- Update the work log daily and track over 100 deliveries per week.
- Communicate consistently between the warehouse and customers.
- Follow company procedures, safety regulations and traffic laws.
- Report delays, accidents or other traffic and transportation situations to bases or other vehicles, using telephones or mobile two-way radios.
- Lead and clearly communicate with a team of 10 truck drivers to give updated information on estimated times of arrival, safety and security, as well as the latest road conditions.
July 2008 – January 2011
Sampson Distribution – Sacramento, CA
Truck Driver
- Checked all load-related documentation for completion and accuracy.
- Maintained vehicle logs, cargo records and billing statements in accordance with regulations.
- Obeyed traffic laws and followed established traffic and transportation procedures.
- Drove more than 2,500 miles per week and increased delivery efficiency by 55%.
- Positioned lifting devices under, over or around loaded pallets, skids and boxes, and secured material or products for transport.
November 2005 – June 2008
JD Howell Trucking Company – Sacramento, CA
Truck Driver Assistant
- Assisted drivers presenting bills and receipts and collecting payments for goods delivered or loaded.
- Completed routine maintenance on 10 vehicles and auxiliary equipment, such as cleaning, lubricating, recharging batteries, fueling or replacing liquefied gas tank.
- Read maps and followed written and verbal geographic directions.
Secured cargo against inclement weather, pilferage and damage.
Skills
- Customer-oriented
- Map reading expert
- Heavy hauling
- Cargo handling
- Safety minded
- Air Brake Certification
- Great attitude
- Clean DMV record
- Efficient and cost-conscious
- Defensive driving
Education
- American River College Sacramento, CA
Associate of Applied Science Supply Chain Management - Great Western Trucking School Sacramento, CA
Trailer Operator Program
Licenses
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A
Important resume sections
Contact details
Add your contact information to the top of your resume so hiring managers can contact you. As our truck driver resume sample shows, your contact information must include your full name, city, state, ZIP code, phone number and professional email address.
If you have a LinkedIn profile and a professional website, add them last. Want more inspiration? We have 800+ resume examples to help you create the perfect truck driver resume.
Professional summary
A professional summary is a concise, three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you offer.
A standout truck driver resume summary tells employers how much experience you have, emphasizes job-specific skills and highlights achievements or awards and certifications if applicable. Here is an example:
“Dedicated truck driver with over five years of experience in long-haul and regional transportation. Proficient in loading and unloading cargo, inspecting vehicles and maneuvering in tight spaces. Possesses a valid Class A CDL and clean driving record. Committed to safety, efficiency and customer service.”
If you are just starting out in your career, it’s better to write a truck driver resume objective instead. An objective for a truck driver resume might look like this:
“Dedicated truck driver with four years of experience seeking a position with an organization where I can utilize my knowledge of transportation regulations and safe driving practices to ensure safe and efficient delivery of goods.”
Skills
Create a skills section to showcase truck driver resume skills, so hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs.
Include a balance of hard skills and soft skills, for example:
- Safe driving practices
- Route planning and navigation
- Cargo management
- Time management
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance
- Communication skills
- Defensive driving techniques
- Loading and unloading
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
These skills demonstrate your ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely and efficiently while managing various aspects of the transportation process.
Tailor your resume to highlight the skills most relevant to the specific job you’re applying for, and provide examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your previous roles as a truck driver.
Work history
A truck driver resume must include a work history section, even if this is your first professional job. In reverse-chronological order, display your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them.
Include three bullet points of measurable achievements for every job you list. Your measurable achievements on your truck driver resume might look like the following.
- Delivered over 2,000 tons of freight on time and on budget for the past four years.
- Successfully completed over 500 long-haul trips without any major incidents or accidents.
- Improved fuel efficiency by 10% through efficient route planning and driving techniques.
Be specific about your achievements, and use numbers to show how you made an impact.
Education
Include an education section on your truck driver resume. In reverse-chronological order, list the names of the schools and the years you graduated using bullet points.
If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes or training you’ve taken since graduating. If you come from an apprenticeship, then list it here.
Most employers require applicants to have at least a high school diploma or GED to become truck drivers.
Additionally, many employers require applicants to have a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), which can be obtained by passing a series of tests and completing a truck driver training program.
Such courses are often offered at local community colleges or technical schools.
See why MyPerfectResume is a 5-star resume builder
Action words for your resume
A truck driver resume needs action words to show your confidence and strength as a candidate. Combine these action words with numbers for an unstoppable resume.
Here’s a quick list of action words for a truck driver resume:
- Deliver
- Transport
- Load
- Unload
- Navigate
- Operate
- Inspect
- Maintain
- Document
- Monitor
- Communicate
- Ensure
- Coordinate
- Plan
- Adapt
Use our Resume Builder to craft a compelling truck driver resume in a matter of minutes. You’ll get step-by-step guidance and content suggestions from Certified Professional Resume Writers.
Best skills for your resume
Review the job description carefully and match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you. Your truck driver resume skills might include:
- Route planning
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance
- Cargo management
- Defensive driving
- Time management
- Communication
- Navigation (GPS, Maps)
- Hazardous materials handling (if applicable)
- Loading and unloading
- Customer service
- Problem-solving
- Adherence to regulations
- Attention to detail
- Safe Driving practices
Want more inspiration? We have 800+ resume examples to help you create the perfect truck driver resume.
Certifications for your resume
Truck drivers may obtain various certifications and endorsements to enhance their skills, comply with regulations and qualify for specialized roles. Here are some certifications and endorsements that truck drivers commonly obtain and may include on their resumes:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Hazmat (H) Endorsement
- Tanker (N) Endorsement
- Double/Triple Trailers (T) Endorsement
- Double/Triple Trailers (T) Endorsement
- Passenger (P) Endorsement
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Clearance
- Forklift Operator Certification
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Including relevant certifications and endorsements on your resume demonstrates your qualifications, expertise and readiness to perform specific tasks or handle certain types of cargo as a truck driver.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
FAQ
What skills should you include on a truck driver resume?
Employers will look for well-rounded candidates, so include a mix of hard skills, technical skills and soft skills. A good mix of skills for a truck driver resume could be:
- Knowledge of safe driving techniques
- Map reading and navigation
- Ability to perform basic maintenance and repairs
- Attention to detail
- Time management skills
- Ability to follow directions
- Strong communication skills
- Knowledge of federal and state regulations
- Ability to work in varying weather conditions
- Physical stamina and strength
If you have limited experience, you can include transferable skills from related roles.
How do I write a resume for a truck driver position?
When writing a resume for a truck driver position, it’s important to highlight your relevant skills, experience and qualifications in a clear and organized manner. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use a clean and professional format for your resume, with clear section headings, bullet points for readability, and consistent formatting throughout. Choose a professional font and avoid using excessive colors or graphics.
- Highlight any relevant certifications or licenses you hold, such as a commercial driver’s license (CDL), endorsements (e.g., Hazmat, Tanker) or completion of specialized training programs.
- Create a dedicated skills section where you can list key skills and competencies relevant to truck driving. Include both technical skills (e.g., operating commercial vehicles, route planning, cargo management) and soft skills (e.g., communication, problem-solving) that are important for the role.
Our Resume Builder can help you create an effective resume quickly and easily. Review our truck driver resume templates, then choose a template, add your information and follow our step-by-step guide.
What should a resume for a truck driver look like?
A resume for a truck driver should have a professional and clean look. Here are some tips for writing a great truck driver resume:
- Use the resume format that matches your years of experience and skill level.
- Keep your resume short and to the point. If you have less than 10 years of experience, then it should be one page long; if you have more than 10 years of experience, then it’s acceptable to have no more than two pages.
- Include truck driver work experience in the form of achievements, like “Accumulated over 1,000 hours of driving experience in one year.”
- Ensure your resume is formatted correctly, meaning margins should be one inch on all sides and line space should be single or 1.5 inches.
- Only use professional fonts, like Times New Roman, Arial or Helvetica, in 11-12 points on the body and 14-16 points on headers.
- Customize your resume by adding skills relevant to the job. Include relevant skills, like “Ability to maintain accurate and detailed logs of driving activities.”
See what a resume should look like for design and formatting tips from career experts.
What should my truck driver resume objective say?
Your truck driver objective statement should explain what type of job you are looking for and why you are an ideal candidate for the position. Here is an example objective for a truck driver resume:
“Dedicated and safety-conscious truck driver with experience in long-haul transportation. Proficient in operating commercial vehicles and delivering freight in compliance with industry regulations and company policies. Skilled in route planning, cargo management and ensuring on-time deliveries. Seeking a position as a truck driver with [Company Name] to leverage expertise in transportation logistics and contribute to the company’s success in delivering goods efficiently and securely.”
Where should you add your CDL on a truck driver resume?
On a resume for a truck driver position, the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) should typically be included in the “Certifications” or “Licenses” section. Here’s how you can format it:
Certifications/Licenses
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Class: [Insert Class Type, e.g., Class A, Class B]
- Endorsements: [List any endorsements you have, such as Hazmat, Tanker, etc.]
You can provide additional details about your CDL, such as the class type (e.g., Class A, Class B) and any endorsements you have obtained.
Including this information in the certifications or licenses section of your resume helps emphasize your qualification to operate commercial vehicles and ensures that employers quickly recognize your CDL status.
Best practices
- Use measurable achievements to describe your truck driver skills and experience. For example, “Maintained a clean driving safety record with no violations or penalty points.”
- Use action words such as “operate,” “document” and “monitor” to make an impact on your truck driver resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target truck driver job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your truck driver resume.
- Format your truck driver resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your truck driver experience and skills. Instead, match your job-specific skills to the job requirements.
- Boast about your “incomparable” truck driver abilities. Instead, highlight achievements such as “Earned a reputation for being one of the most reliable and punctual drivers among colleagues.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not pertaining to truck driver work. Instead, focus on job-specific skills like a good driving record and the ability to lift heavy objects.
- Forget to proofread. A truck driver’s resume with errors is unprofessional. Use our ATS resume checker to scan your resume for common errors.
Interview tips
Research the company or institution before your interview.
Take the time to learn about the company’s history, goals, values and people before the interview. Being able to show that you have in-depth knowledge about your potential employer shows real interest, dedication and commitment — traits that hiring managers look for in every job candidate they talk to.
Here are a few areas to consider researching:
- Layover and rest-stop policies
- Availability and coverage of roadside assistance
- The company’s safety record
- Fuel reimbursement policies
- Requirements for drug testing
- Load scheduling information
- Policies for driver bonuses or rewards programs
Having a glimpse of the company culture before you arrive will give you an idea of what to expect on arrival so that you can feel confident. See our job interview guide for additional tips.
Practice at home.
Prepare for any scenario by practicing an interview at home. Start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- What Do You See Yourself Doing in 10 Years?
- How Do You Determine Priorities?
- What is the Biggest Mistake You’ve Made?
Then consider truck driver-specific questions, like
- How would you rate your knowledge of the transportation industry?
- What do you believe are the most important qualities of a successful truck driver?
- How do you handle difficult situations while driving?
- Have you ever received any traffic violations or other citations while driving?
- What safety measures do you take when delivering cargo?
- Are you familiar with any specific types of loading and unloading procedures?
Ask a friend or relative to perform a mock interview. Look online for possible behavioral interview questions, write down the answers and then practice with your interview partner.
Once you’re done, ask them for feedback and work with them to improve. Being prepared will boost your confidence and chances of getting a callback.
Be proactive and ask questions.
At the end of your interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. As a rule of thumb, have three questions prepared. Hiring managers expect questions during or at the end of the interview. This shows your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
Here are a few examples of questions to get you started:
- Can you tell me more about the routes I’ll be driving and the typical schedule for drivers in this position?
- What type of freight will I be transporting, and are there any specialized requirements or equipment I need to be aware of?
- How do you ensure driver safety and compliance with regulations, such as hours-of-service rules and vehicle maintenance standards?
- What technology or systems does the company use to track shipments, plan routes and communicate with drivers?
- How does the company address driver feedback and concerns, and what avenues are available for drivers to voice their opinions?
- What are the expectations for communication and reporting while on the road, and how does the company support drivers in staying connected?
Gather your references.
Once you are ready to start sending your truck driver resume, contact former managers and colleagues to be potential references.
They should be able to vouch for you, your work ethic and your skills. Explain to them where you are in the process and let them know they could receive a phone call or email.
If this is your first full-time job, you can request a reference from a mentor, former professor, community leader, volunteer coordinator or classmate who can vouch for your skills.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your driving career
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How we reviewed this article
Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- Career Explorer. What does a truck driver do?
- CloudTrucks. Essential Truck Driver Skills to Master
- Driver Resource Center School Network. S, John. Is Truck Driving a Good Career?
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Truck Driver Resume Example
Nilda Melissa is a Certified Professional Resume Writer who has written for The Washington Post and Latina Style Magazine. She has a master's in Journalism from Columbia University and is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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