Truck Driver Resume Sample [Guide]

Skilled truck drivers are in high demand. The following guide will help you write a truck driver resume that highlights your experience and qualifications. 

We will go through the following: 

• How to structure your truck driver resume
• Skills for your truck driver resume
• Additional sections for your truck driver resume
• Tips for writing your own truck driver resume
• Action verbs to use in your truck driver resume

How to structure your truck driver resume

Think of your resume as a highly organized marketing tool. Its sole purpose is to get you to a job interview. For that reason it’s a good idea to make sure your resume is structured in a manner that lets the recruiter immediately know your work history and skill sets. 

That’s why we always recommend the reverse-chronological resume format unless you’re changing your career. 

The structure should follow this: 

• Header (title, name, contact info)
• Profile (introduction)
• Employment history and job experience
• Any relevant additional sections
• Education
• Professional skills
• Languages

In the following I will go through each section. 

Header

Your header is probably the easiest place to get started on your resume. It consists of elements such as your name, contact information and title. 

You don’t have to include your full address (in fact many advise against it). But it is a good idea to add your email address and phone number in case the recruiter wants to contact you. 

You should tailor your title to the specific job you’re applying for. So if you’re a truck driver but the job ad says heavy truck driver, heavy truck driver is what you write. 

Profile

Your resume’s profile text is like the entree of a great meal. It’s supposed to whet the recruiter’s appetite and serves as a great introduction to the rest of the resume. 

You can consider adding some of your most impressive results and achievements from your career. As with everything else in your resume you must tailor your profile text specifically to the job ad. 

Employment history

Your employment history is the most essential part of your resume. This is where you show off your awesome accomplishments and results as a truck driver. 

If you have had natural progress in your career with no major gaps of any kind we strongly recommend that you use the reverse-chronological resume format as already mentioned. 

You can use this checklist for adding your employment history: 

• Reverse-chronological resume format
• Describe each position with 4-7 bullet points (include tasks, responsibilities, and quantify your results if possible)
• Tailor your truck driver resume to the job position by matching your skills and qualifications to what’s described in the job ad
• Use keywords and power words throughout your resume 

See below for an example of a truck driver’s employment history:

Truck driving experience

Heavy Truck Driver, Arrive Safely Pennsylvania

January 2018 - August 2021

• Deliver freight from warehouse to customers in accordance with company procedures, safety protocols, DOT regulations, and traffic laws
• Track deliveries and maintain log of vehicle issues, cargo records, delivery issues, and billing statements
• Communicate schedules and logistics with communications and the head office
• Navigate routes using GPS to find the most efficient route
• Use equipment to lift heavy cargo for transport and delivery

Truck Driver, UPS

March 2014 - December 2017

• Checked cargo and related documentation for completeness and accuracy prior to transport
• Efficiently loaded and prepared cargo for transport
• Followed road safety precautions and traffic laws on all trips
• Maintained vehicle log
• Worked with customers to ensure smooth and satisfactory deliveries, and provide good service

Relevant additional sections

Here at Jofibo we believe it is important to keep resumes flexible. That’s why we introduced additional sections a good while back where you have the possibility to create and add any relevant sections that are not a standard part of our templates. 

Being a truck driver one additional section that is very relevant is your licenses and certifications. 

In our resume example below, Patricia has not put a lot of emphasis on her education. It simply doesn’t take up much space. Instead she has added the additional section called Licenses/certifications.

The reason for this is that while education is important, for a truck driver it’s more important to show the relevant licenses and certifications. Patricia knows this so she makes sure to place them close to her relevant professional experience by adding an additional section to the resume template.

Education

When you write your education section you should only add your latest finished education. If that is highschool you should add it like so: 

Education

High School Diploma - Perkiomen Valley High School, Collegeville

No fuss - just keep it simple. 

Professional skills

Adding your skills to your resume is extremely important. Usually we distinguish between soft skills and hard skills. Where hard skills are the skills we learn through education and experience, soft skills (or interpersonal skills) are not easily taught. As a truck driver there are certain skills you need to possess: 

Math skills

An understanding of basic math such as adding, subtracting, dividing, and multiplying along with fractions and decimals. 

Technical skills

Basic vehicular repair knowledge such as oil changes and engine maintenance.

Physical skills

The ability to do physical activities such as lifting and stretching.

Customer service

To be able to solve your client’s problems or disputes in a polite and professional manner.

Time management

To be able to stick to a schedule and meet all your delivery deadlines.

If you have any of these skills, make sure you add them in the skills section of your resume. 

Languages

As a truck driver you are constantly moving around and it is almost inevitable that you come in contact with people who speak a different language. While many people speak and understand English well enough it will certainly give you an advantage if you can show that you speak more than one language. Therefore, if you are skilled in any language, make sure to add that in your resume. 

Now, let’s take a look at how our truck driver resume example looks in full. Below the image is a text you can copy and use for yourself. 

Truck driver resume example

Truck driver resume (text format you can copy)

Patricia Peterson

Heavy Truck Driver with 7+ years of experience

143 West Maiden St. 

19426 Collegeville, PA

(793) 617-1851

patricia@email.com

Profile

CDL-licensed heavy truck driver with more than 7 years of experience. Adept at navigation even in difficult areas. Spotless driving record, safety oriented, good people skills. Highly committed to timely and efficient deliveries. Extensive knowledge of DOT regulations.

Truck driving experience

Heavy Truck Driver, Arrive Safely Pennsylvania

January 2018 - August 2021

• Deliver freight from warehouse to customers in accordance with company procedures, safety protocols, DOT regulations, and traffic laws
• Track deliveries and maintain log of vehicle issues, cargo records, delivery issues, and billing statements
• Communicate schedules and logistics with communications and the head office
• Navigate routes using GPS to find the most efficient route
• Use equipment to lift heavy cargo for transport and delivery

Truck Driver, UPS

March 2014 - December 2017

• Checked cargo and related documentation for completeness and accuracy prior to transport
• Efficiently loaded and prepared cargo for transport
• Followed road safety precautions and traffic laws on all trips
• Maintained vehicle log
• Worked with customers to ensure smooth and satisfactory deliveries, and provide good service

Licenses/certifications

• Class A CDL license (Pennsylvania)
• HAZMAT certification
• Completion of A1 Tractor Trailer Training Academy (Pittsburg, PA)

Education

High School Diploma - Perkiomen Valley High School, Collegeville

Professional skills

• Time management
• Clear communication (written and verbal)
• Problem solving
• Customer service
• Flexible
• Good navigation skills

Languages

English - Native 

German - Proficient

Facts about this truck driver resume sample

• Patricia has used our Minimalist resume template to create her truck driver resume
• She uses a reverse-chronological resume format to highlight her relevant experiences

Patricia succeeds in showing her potential new employer that she has more than 7 years of relevant truck driver experience. She makes sure to highlight this by customizing the headline from Employment history to Truck driving experience. 

One thing you’ll notice is she has downplayed her education section by placing it in the bottom half of her resume. Instead she has added a custom section right after her experience section and named it Licenses/certifications. 

The reason for this is that while education is important, for a truck driver it’s more important to show the relevant licenses and certifications. Patricia knows this so she makes sure to have it close to her relevant professional experience. 

Tips for writing your own truck driver resume

When you’re looking for your next gig as a truck driver it’s important to approach your job search in a professional manner. That means creating a professional looking resume and a lot of power words. In the truck driver resume example we have used a female truck driver but the resume sample can of course be used by both men and women alike. 

Tip #1 for your truck driver resume - highlights

Take extra care to make sure you highlight your licenses and driving records. These elements are very important and should be placed in the top third of your resume. Ideally, you can add them to your summary (profile) where you’re sure they’ll be noticed. 

Remember, recruiters will be looking for these specific words so make sure you don’t miss out on this opportunity to stand out. 

Tip #2 for your truck driver resume - be specific

When you describe your work history and professional experience it’s important to be specific. To get the most out of this section you need to provide details. One way a truck driver can do this is by telling the hiring manager the types of vehicles she or he has been driving in the past and for how long. 

Action verbs for your truck driver resume

It’s important that you use the right action verbs and power words for your resume. Not only will this make you appear more competent and professional. It will also help you pass the applicant tracking systems and it will make you stand out from the crowd. 

Below is a list of great words to add to your resume. Go through the job ad and if any of the words appear there, make sure to use them in both your cover letter and resume. 

Key take aways

When you write your truck driver resume, there are some key elements to take extra care of. These are: 

• Your employment history, licenses and certifications, and skills
• The resume format - we recommend the reverse-chronological
• Using the right action verbs and power words 

Ready to create your own resume?