Regardless of the rig you operate, your truck driver resume should demonstrate a strong record of safe and efficient transport. Hiring managers must know you can plan routes, manage schedules, and maintain vehicles reliably. This guide will provide writing tips and examples to help you write a resume that shows you can meet the job’s demands.
Using a template will ensure you have a well-organized resume that covers every detail of your driving history. Your truck driver resume should include these sections:
Place your contact information at the top of your resume. Include your full name, phone number, email address, location, and a link to your online professional profile if you have one. Verify that all your info is correct to ensure hiring managers can reach you without any obstacles.
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation Zip Code
LinkedIn
The profile is a brief summary at the top of your resume that introduces who you are as a truck driver. In a few sentences, provide your job title, years of experience, and key details that could make you stand out from other drivers. Maybe it’s a record of on-time deliveries or an ability to handle specific materials. If it aligns with the job ad and employer’s needs, even better.
Attentive commercial truck driver with over six years of experience safely and efficiently transporting hazardous materials and general cargo. Maintains an impeccable record free from accidents and incidents. Prioritizes route optimization, vehicle maintenance, and customer relations, ensuring timely and compliant deliveries across local and long-haul routes.
Whether you’re a heavy or light truck driver, highlighting abilities like safe driving practices and route planning will demonstrate your transportation expertise. However, interpersonal abilities like communication and organization are just as important. So, create a key skills list that shows hiring managers you’re prepared for any situation on the road, in the warehouse, or at the office.
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
---|---|
Backing and docking | Adaptability |
Cargo handling | Communication |
Defensive driving techniques | Customer service |
Emergency response skills | Discipline |
Load securement | Initiative |
Maintenance and basic repair | Organization |
Navigation | Self-motivation |
Refrigerated freight | Stress management |
Regulatory compliance | Teamwork |
Vehicle inspection | Time management |
Using action verbs to describe your work history is a great way to make your writing more concise and engaging. Instead of passively listing job duties, action verbs help communicate the active approach you’ve taken in your transportation career. Begin each bullet point with a verb when describing your previous positions to help hiring managers envision what you’ve accomplished in the past. Use action verbs like the ones below in your truck driver resume:
Action Verbs | |
---|---|
Delivered | Documented |
Executed | Hauled |
Inspected | Loaded |
Maneuvered | Monitored |
Navigated | Operated |
Reported | Routed |
Transported | Unloaded |
Verified |
When describing your work history, start with the basics — your job title, the name of the company you worked for, and for how long. Detail the types of trucks, cargo, and routes you’ve had experience with. Describe your key responsibilities and any notable accomplishments. Did you maintain a perfect safety record or improve delivery times? Mention similar achievements, using numbers when you can.
Truck Driver, Linde Gas & Equipment, Lubbock, TX
April 2019 – present
Long Haul Truck Driver, Mystique Transport, Prosper, TX
February 2017 – March 2019
To have a greater impact within your professional experience section, use numbers to quantify your work. This will give hiring managers a clear picture of the value you can bring to their company and the results they can expect from you. Mention things like how many miles you’ve logged or how many tons of materials you’ve moved to convey the scope of your work.
Employment for heavy and tractor-trailer drivers and delivery drivers is projected to steadily increase over the next decade as the demand for goods continues to grow. To land the most lucrative driving positions, craft a well-tailored resume that meets the needs of trucking companies.
Imagine you’re applying for a position that involves hazardous material transport. In that case, you would emphasize any hazmat experience or certifications you may have. Use the job description as a guide to tailor your resume, matching your skills accordingly. Do this for each job you apply for to increase your chances of landing an interview.
As an entry-level truck driver, your resume should show you have all the certifications, licensing, and industry knowledge necessary to excel. Every new driver starts where you are, and hiring managers understand this. They want to know that, outside of the required training, you have the skills it takes to learn and grow within the role.
Identify transferable skills you’ve gained from your past educational and professional experiences that are relevant to truck driving. Things like safety awareness, warehouse work, customer service, and basic vehicle maintenance will show you’re ready for the job. Remember to also include soft skills such as reliability, attention to detail, and an ability to work independently.
Beyond high school diplomas and college degrees, mention any truck driving school or specialized driving programs you’ve participated in. Then, list your most pertinent certifications. Include any licensing credentials and specialized cargo or vehicle training. This shows potential employers that you meet or exceed their driving requirements.
High School Diploma, September 2008 – June 2012
Stamford High School, Stamford, TX
Certifications
Your Name
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Attentive commercial truck driver with over six years of experience safely and efficiently transporting hazardous materials and general cargo. Maintains an impeccable record free from accidents and incidents. Prioritizes route optimization, vehicle maintenance, and customer relations, ensuring timely and compliant deliveries across both local and long-haul routes.
Truck Driver, Linde Gas & Equipment, Lubbock, TX
April 2019 – present
Long Haul Truck Driver, Mystique Transport, Prosper, TX
February 2017 – March 2019
CDL Class A Training, December 2017
Trucksmart CDL Academy, Grand Prairie, TX
High School Diploma, September 2008 – June 2012
Stamford High School, Stamford, TX
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