Ready to shift gears in your trucking career? A well-crafted truck driver resume that highlights your driving experience, safety record, and certifications can open doors to new opportunities on the road. In this guide, we’ll show you step-by-step how to write a strong resume that gets noticed, no matter your level of experience. From entry-level drivers fresh out of CDL school to seasoned pros behind the wheel of tankers or flatbeds, you’ll find tailored tips and resume templates to match your unique position. Let’s build a resume that drives your career forward.
How to write a good truck driver resume
A strong resume balances brevity with critical details. Follow this section-by-section guide to craft a document that highlights your qualifications and aligns with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems).
1. Contact Information
Include this at the top of your resume:
- Full Name
- Phone & Email: Ensure voicemail and email addresses are professional.
- Location: City and state (no full address for privacy).
- LinkedIn Profile or online portfolio (if available)
Formatting Tip: Use a larger font for your name and a clean header design.
2. Professional Summary
This is your elevator pitch. Keep it 2–3 sentences long and tailor it to the job description. Highlight:
- Experience: Years in the industry and specialties (e.g., flatbed, refrigerated).
- Key Skills: Safety record, mileage, and compliance expertise.
- CDL type and endorsements (e.g., Class A with Hazmat)
- Strengths such as safety, punctuality, or route efficiency
Example:
“Dependable Class A CDL driver with 6+ years of experience in long-haul trucking. Skilled in safe cargo transport, route planning, and maintaining on-time delivery schedules. Excellent driving record with strong customer service and DOT compliance.”
3. Work Experience
Use reverse chronological order (most recent first). For each role, list:
- Job Title: e.g., Regional Truck Driver or Owner-Operator.
- Company Name and Location
- Dates of Employment
- Key Responsibilities and Achievements: Use bullet points with action verbs and metrics.
Tip: Use action verbs like delivered, coordinated, maintained, and managed.
Example Bullet Points:
ABC Trucking Co. | Regional Driver | Jan 2020–Present
- Delivered dry van freight across the Midwest, maintaining 99.9% on-time delivery.
- Conducted pre/post-trip inspections, reducing maintenance costs by 15%.
- Trained 5 new drivers on FMCSA regulations and route optimization.
4. Education
Include your highest level of education. If you attended a truck driving school or technical program, list that too.
Example:
CDL Training Program – ABC Trucking School, Chicago, IL
High School Diploma – Lincoln High School, St. Louis, MO
5. Certifications and Licenses
This section is critical for truck drivers. List:
- CDL Class: A, B, or C with endorsements.
- FMCSA Certifications: Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).
- Tanker, Doubles/Triples, etc.
- Medical Examiner’s Certificate
- TWIC Card (if applicable)
- Safety Training: Defensive driving, Hazmat handling.
6. Skills
Use both hard and soft skills that are relevant to trucking.
Hard Skills:
- Route navigation and GPS systems
- Freight handling and securement
- DOT compliance and ELD usage
- Truck maintenance and inspections
Soft Skills:
- Time management
- Communication with dispatch/customers
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
Formatting Tip: Use 2–3 columns for easy readability.
7. Optional Sections
- Awards: (e.g., Safe Driver of the Year)
- Volunteer Work
- Languages Spoken (can be useful for multilingual delivery areas)
Formatting Guidelines
- Length: Keep it to 1 page if you have under 10 years of experience; up to 2 pages if more.
- Font: Use professional fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman (10–12 pt).
- Margins & Spacing: 1-inch margins with consistent line spacing.
- Use Clear Headings: Make each section easily identifiable.
- Bullet Points: Use bullet points to list responsibilities and achievements for readability.
- File Format: Save as PDF unless otherwise specified by the employer.
Additional Tips
- Tailor your resume for each job. Match your skills and experiences with the job listing.
- Quantify your achievements. Use numbers: “Delivered to 20+ clients daily” or “Drove over 2 million accident-free miles.”
- Include relevant keywords. Helps with ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems). Example: “freight handling,” “logistics,” “ELD,” “Class A CDL,” etc.
- Use clean formatting. A cluttered resume makes it harder for recruiters to find key details.
Truck Driver Resume Templates & Examples
Utilizing a well-designed template can streamline the resume-writing process and ensure a professional appearance. Here are some professional truck driver resume samples for you to follow:
Truck driver resume templates by experience
Entry-level truck drivers
- Focus: Training, internships, and transferable skills (e.g., warehouse experience).
- Example resume for truck drivers at entry-level:
Source for download: Entry-level truck driver resume by Beamjobs
Why This Resume Works:
- Strong Career Objective: Highlights eagerness to learn, safety focus, and alignment with company values.
- Transferable Skills: Past roles demonstrate teamwork, punctuality, and attention to detail—vital for truck driving.
- Achievements Are Quantified: Metrics like “42% reduction in turnover” and “456 email sign-ups” add credibility.
- Clear Formatting: Clean layout with bold headings makes it ATS- and recruiter-friendly.
- Relevant Skills Section: Includes soft skills like communication and patience that matter in transportation roles.
Mid-career truck drivers
- Focus: Proven driving experience, safety record, endorsements, and reliability.
- Example Resume for Mid-Level Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Mid-Career Truck Driver Resume Template by MyPerfectResume
Why This Resume Works:
- Professional Summary: Quickly communicates years of experience and a strong work ethic.
- Relevant Experience: Highlights over five years in trucking roles with emphasis on route efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Certifications & Endorsements: Lists CDL and Hazmat certifications to demonstrate qualification for specialized hauling.
- Skills Section: Clearly outlines technical and soft skills relevant to mid-level trucking roles.
- Clean, Two-Column Layout: Keeps key info like certifications and contact details immediately visible.
Experienced truck drivers
- Focus: Extensive driving experience, leadership in logistics, route optimization, compliance, and bilingual communication.
- Example Resume for Experienced Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Experienced Truck Driver Resume Template by MyPerfectResume
Why This Resume Works:
- Professional Summary: Highlights 12+ years of experience with strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, and bilingual communication.
- Relevant Experience: Shows progressive roles and key achievements like 200,000+ miles/year, cost savings, and driver training.
- Certifications & Endorsements: Lists CDL and CLA, proving qualification for both driving and logistics coordination.
- Skills Section: Blends advanced driving, compliance, and soft skills tailored for senior trucking roles.
Clean, Two-Column Layout: Keeps essential details like certifications and contact info easy to find.
Truck driver resume templates by truck type
Box truck drivers
- Focus: Short-haul delivery expertise, vehicle maintenance, inventory control, and efficient route planning.
- Example Resume for Box Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Box Truck Driver Resume Template by ResumeBuilder
Why This Resume Works:
- Clear Role Focus: Stays centered on box truck operations, including short-distance deliveries, light freight, and inventory tracking.
- Performance Metrics: Shows measurable impact—like reducing repairs by 30% or achieving 98% on-time delivery—crucial for time-sensitive local transport.
- Relevant Credentials: Lists CDL, HME, and TWIC—essential for transporting regulated goods and gaining access to secure facilities.
- Job-Linked Skills: Highlights key box truck responsibilities: route planning, preventative maintenance, and shipment verification.
- Real-World Example: “Planned and consolidated routes, achieving 98% on-time delivery” — shows efficiency and reliability in daily box truck operations.
Delivery truck drivers
- Focus: Local route expertise, time-sensitive delivery, brand representation, manual driving skills, and team mentorship.
- Example Resume for Mid-Career Delivery Drivers:
Source to download: Delivery Driver Resume Example by ResumeBuilder
Why This Resume Works:
- Role-Specific Details: Emphasizes local delivery operations, including package and food delivery—perfect for mid-level drivers in urban areas.
- Progressive Experience: Clearly shows growth from food delivery to package delivery, with added responsibilities like training junior staff.
- Strength in Soft Skills: Highlights customer service, time management, and collaboration—key traits for delivery success and customer loyalty.
- Skill Bars Add Visual Impact: Quick visual insight into strengths like team collaboration, process streamlining, and vehicle upkeep.
- Real-World Example: “Safely drive manual-transmission delivery vehicles in various weather conditions” — showcases driving skill, safety, and adaptability.
Heavy truck drivers
- Focus: Specialized equipment handling, safety compliance, intercity/interstate transportation, and endorsements for hazardous materials and tanker vehicles.
- Example Resume for Heavy Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Heavy Truck Driver Resume Example by ResumeBuilder
Why This Resume Works:
- Truck-Specific Roles: Includes experience with dump trucks, semi-tractors, and CDL-A regional dry vans, giving it a strong match for heavy-duty logistics positions.
- Clear Credentials: Lists important certifications like Hazmat, Tanker, and TWIC, which are essential for certain high-paying hauls.
- Excellent Focus on Safety: “Zero safety incidents over 7+ years” and certificate in safety protocols establish the candidate as reliable and responsible.
- Documentation & Reporting Strength: Emphasizes tracking, paperwork, and mechanical issue reporting — critical for heavy-load operations.
- Real-World Example: “Deliver dirt, asphalt, aggregate, and other materials to various job sites” — directly ties into dump truck operations.
Armored truck driver
- Focus: High-value asset protection, emergency response, route planning, and security operations.
- Example Resume for Armored Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Armored Truck Driver Resume Example by Beamjobs
Why This Resume Works:
- Security Expertise: Strong background in asset protection, alarm system maintenance, and fire suppression checks, ideal for roles requiring tight security control.
- Proven Metrics: Clearly shows achievements like “zero-breach record,” “99% compliance rate,” and “reducing response time to incidents by 58%.”
- Career Progression: Logical transition from Security Guard to Delivery Driver to Armored Truck Driver, showcasing growth in responsibility and skill specialization.
- Software & Communication: Mentions use of emergency planning software, two-way radios, and route optimization tools, important for high-stakes logistics.
- Standout Detail: Highlights concrete contributions like “maintained $48M+ worth of protected assets” and “collaborated with law enforcement.”
Dump truck driver
- Focus: Efficient hauling, load planning, and vehicle safety technologies in construction or industrial transport.
- Example Resume for Dump Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Dump Truck Driver Resume Example by Beamjobs
Why This Resume Works:
- Equipment Knowledge: Showcases hands-on experience with TomTom PRO 5150, PressurePro, RVS Rear View Safety, and Parker Hannifin systems – all relevant to modern dump truck operations.
- Cost-saving Metrics: Strong numbers – “$4,227 downtick in fuel costs,” “22% decrease in blind spot collisions,” “$6,893 in annual maintenance savings” – proving measurable impact.
- Progressive Roles: Career advancement from Truck Loader to Helper to Driver, showing dedication and skill-building in the field.
- Tech & Fleet Integration: Highlights familiarity with Samsara ELD, Trimble Fleet, and LoadMan, a big plus for companies using fleet management software.
- Safety Focused: Includes steps taken to avoid tire blowouts, reduce blind spot collisions, and improve load security, which are essential in heavy vehicle operation.
Garbage truck driver
- Focus: Route efficiency, safety, eco-compliance, and municipal waste handling.
- Example Resume for Garbage Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Garbage Truck Driver Resume Example by Beamjobs
Why This Resume Works:
- Eco-Conscious Impact: The resume includes a reduction in CO₂ emissions by 16%, a great metric for companies prioritizing sustainability.
- DOT Compliance: Clearly states familiarity with DOT regulations and use of PeopleNet eDriver Logs, increasing employer confidence in legal compliance.
- Strong Metrics: Shows real results like “84% of maintenance issues resolved within an hour,” “31% drop in collisions,” and “26% mitigation in service delays.”
- Diverse Tech Stack: Shows hands-on experience with Garmin GPS, Zonar, Drivewyze, Samsara, and Ford Telematics, proving tech-savviness in route optimization.
- Career Growth Path: Demonstrates upward movement from Recycling Sorter to Sanitation Worker to Garbage Truck Driver, highlighting continuous upskilling and dedication.
Long-haul truck driver
- Focus: Cross-country transportation, safety compliance, maintenance, and time-sensitive delivery.
- Example Resume for Long Haul Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Long-haul Truck Driver Resume by QwikResume
Why It Works:
- Strong Experience: Over 10 years in long haul trucking with clear job progression.
- Detailed Responsibilities: Includes inspections, safety checks, mentoring, and maintenance — not just driving.
- Achievements with Metrics:
- 99% on-time delivery
- Zero accidents
- 1M+ safe driving miles
- Easy-to-Read Skills Section: Visual ratings for key skills like Vehicle Operation and Route Planning.
- Relevant Education: Completed CDL training with safety and vehicle maintenance focus.
CDL truck driver
- Focus: Versatile freight handling, safety, delivery accuracy, and route optimization across local, regional, or shuttle driving.
- Example Resume for Commercial Truck Drivers:
Source to download: Commercial Truck Driver Resume Example by Beamjobs
Why This Resume Works:
- Diverse Trucking Experience: Shows career growth from Shuttle Driver → Local Truck Driver → Commercial Truck Driver, each with specific achievements.
- Efficiency Improvements: Concrete examples like “reduced reporting time by 14 minutes,” and “saved 7 hours weekly” demonstrate real operational impact.
- Strong Metrics: Highlights quantifiable results such as “96% customer satisfaction, $27,751 saved in service costs, 19,228 km of extended lifespan,” making achievements measurable and credible.
- Fleet Tech Expertise: Lists a broad range of tools like Blue Tree Systems, Qualcomm MCP50, Fleetio Manage, KeepTruckin Logbook, Lytx DriveCam, showing adaptability and technical proficiency.
- Route & Service Optimization: Details use of Trimble Transportation and Spireon FleetLocate to streamline travel time and improve rider transparency.
FAQs
1. What is a good summary for a truck driver?
A good truck driver summary should highlight your years of experience, key certifications (like CDL Class A or endorsements), and strengths such as safety, reliability, and timely deliveries. Keep it short, focused, and tailored to the job you’re applying for.
Example:
“Dependable truck driver with 5+ years of experience delivering freight across regional and long-haul routes. Known for maintaining a spotless safety record and consistently meeting delivery schedules. Holds a valid Class A CDL with Hazmat and Tanker endorsements.”
Pro tip: Customize your summary to match the employer’s needs by mentioning specific qualifications or types of loads you’re experienced with.
2. How do you put your truck driving skills in a resume?
Truck driving skills should be clearly listed in both your Skills section and throughout your Work Experience to show how you’ve applied them on the job.
How to showcase them:
- In the Skills section: Use bullet points to list relevant skills.
- In the Work Experience section: Give examples of how your skills led to positive outcomes, like on-time delivery rates or improved safety scores.
Example bullet:
- Conducted daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections to ensure DOT compliance and road safety.
Final thoughts
Your truck driver resume is more than just paperwork—it’s your ticket to better routes, higher pay, and long-term career growth. Whether you’re new to the industry or have logged thousands of miles, a well-structured, keyword-optimized resume helps you stand out in a competitive job market. Use the tips and templates in this guide to put your experience in the driver’s seat and land your next big opportunity. Ready to hit the road toward your next job? Start crafting your resume today.
