For a successful job hunt, your truck driver resume must demonstrate three key qualities: reliability, certifications, and readiness to hit the road. That means showing potential trucking companies the right licenses, clean safety records, routes driven, and relevant equipment handled, thereby saving time and generating revenue.
Luckily, you don’t need to stress formatting a perfect resume or writing a cover letter. At BeamJobs, we’ve reviewed thousands of driver applications and know exactly what hiring managers are looking for.
From that, we’ve created this guide to help you build a resume that will pass through filters and reach recruiters.
What you’ll find inside:
- ↪ 13 truck driver resume samples tailored to different roles, experience levels, and CDL types
- ↪ The exact sections, skills, and metrics to include (and how to write them effectively)
- ↪ Expert tips on layout, tone, and what recruiters actually care about in 2026
Why this resume works
- Showcase your value as a truck driver by quantifying it. Numbers slow down busy hiring managers, driving up the time they’ll spend on your truck driver resume.
Why this resume works
- The more variety of vehicles you can show, the stronger your CDL truck driver resume will be. Don’t limit your experience to commercial motor vehicles. Include machinery like forklifts to serve as evidence of your competency.
Why this resume works
- Everyone can drive around the city with loose materials but the question is how do you do it better than others? Quantified metrics. Ideally, you want to highlight various impacts like being on schedule, lowering downtime, and cutting down costs to prove that you can do it better than the rest.
Why this resume works
- What’s going to elevate your box truck driver resume is adding past experiences that prove your ability to make on-time deliveries. Try expanding on any impactful bullet points like how you were able to lower delivery times to stand out from other applicants in your truck driver cover letter.
Why this resume works
- It’s always a great idea to mention all relevant skills that you’ve used throughout your career for making deliveries or towing cars to create a comprehensive tow truck driver resume that no one can afford to overlook!
Why this resume works
- If you’ve got a lot of ground to cover (literally and figuratively) in your garbage truck driver resume, don’t let a cluttered design trash your chances of getting hired. Pro tip: Use a well-placed design to show your achievements
Why this resume works
- Projects can enhance and fill space on your delivery truck driver resume. Worthwhile projects can come from various areas, from association membership to weekend mechanic enthusiasts’ meetups.
See more delivery truck driver resumes>
Why this resume works
- Start by listing your Class A CDL license. It’s basically the gold standard for heavy vehicle operators and shows you can deliver product pellets like no one else. For bonus points, throw in certificates like the NSC Professional Truck Driver.
Why this resume works
- Older work experience still deserves a spot on your armored truck driver resume if it speaks to your security-oriented mindset. For instance, serving as a security guard supports your professional profile as an armored truck driver.
Why this resume works
- Make sure the title of your local truck driver resume matches exactly the job title listed for the role to which you’re applying. This signals to the hiring manager you’re qualified right out of the gate.
Why this resume works
- Being Class A means you’ve climbed the ranks and are eligible to drive larger vehicles with higher loads like trailers and trucks. So don’t take risks and remember to include a Commercial Driver’s License in your Class A truck driver resume.
Why this resume works
- You want your beginner truck driver resume packed with important information: skills, achievements, tools, and measurable impact. Most importantly, make no errors that could send the wrong message to recruiters. Try our resume checker to see if your resume avoids common mistakes.
See more beginner truck driver resumes>
Why this resume works
- Truck drivers need to be excellent drivers, but their communication, time management, and organizational skills are also important. Make sure your resume skills are specific to long-haul truckers.
View more long-haul truck driver resumes >
How to write a Truck Driver Resume
A strong truck driver resume goes beyond your CDL—it must clearly communicate your driving experience, license class, routes, and safety record in a skimmable, ATS-friendly format. Recruiters often filter hundreds of resumes, so concise, well-designed sections give you an advantage.
Whether you’re an over-the-road veteran or just entering local deliveries, your resume should highlight quantifiable achievements, adherence to the best driving practices, spotless driving history, and skills/expertise that match the job posting.
When everything is in place, use a resume checker to get a free ATS resume score and an instant overview of where to improve your resume before applying. Also, refer to resume examples explicitly built for truck drivers to guide your formatting, tone, and best practices.
Essential sections for a truck driver resume:
- Contact information
- Professional summary
- License & certifications
- Work Experience
- Relevant education & training
- Core kills
- Safety & awards
- Bonus sections
What should a truck driver resume include?
A truck driver’s resume should directly reflect the requirements outlined in the job ad. That means responding to the employer’s priorities, such as safety, pertinent local, state, and federal certifications, perfect delivery track records, and vehicle familiarity. Put all these details under headers that make key information easy to find and read: header, summary/objective, work experience, skills, and education & certifications.
How do I craft a standout resume header?
Your resume header gives recruiters a fast and easy way to contact you. Start with your name in a larger, distinctive font, then below it add the job title, your current phone number, a professional email, and city/state. For a LinkedIn profile or other professional link, only include it if it’s relevant.
Example of a truck driver resume header
What’s a good truck driver resume summary?
In one brief paragraph, 2-3 lines, summarize your strengths and outstanding qualifications that place you ahead of the rest. The statement should include your experience, skills, and other unique abilities that would put you in a stronger position.
Your objective as an entry-level truck driver should show your ambitions for the profession, transferable skills, and willingness to learn from the team. As a senior truck driver, let your summary speak about your achievements, safety record, certifications, skills, and sector knowledge.
An example of an entry-level truck driver career objective
Recently licensed Class A CDL driver eager to drive a rig nationwide. My attention to detail, patient attitude, and willingness to learn will serve BioTrans’s needs for transporting cargo efficiently and safely within a team driving experience.
A standout professional summary clearly and concisely emphasizes your most relevant qualifications. Tailor it based on your experience level and skills described in the job advertisement.
An example of a truck driver resume summary
Experienced Class A CDL OTR truck driver with 10 years’ experience on the road, maintaining a pristine driving record with an overall 93% on-time delivery history. Eager for a new challenge with Big Rig Miami to obtain my Hazmat certification to transport unstable compounds safely.
How to demonstrate your driving experience
Here, mention the types of vehicles you have expertise in, distances covered, and, if any, notable routes. Ensure that your descriptions are specific. For instance, let employers know if you’re a long-haul or regional driver.
Pick the three most recent and relevant jobs and list them in reverse chronological order. A potential employer will see your career journey, responsibilities, and achievements, and know why you’re the best fit for the vacancy.
To further strengthen your driving expertise, generate bullet points that showcase the use of relevant tools, skills, and achievements.
What should I list in my driving experience?
Pick 2–3 recent positions or projects that align with the role. Use bullet points to highlight routes driven, vehicle types, and key performance stats like delivery timeliness, incident-free records, clients’ satisfaction, and extra revenue generated.
How to add trucking experience to your resume:
- Operated Class A vehicle across 5 states, logging an average of 1,600 miles weekly with 98% route efficiency via Omnitracs
- Maintained an accident-free record over 3 years using ELD systems and monthly safety checks
- Delivered $502K in refrigerated freight monthly with a 99.9% on-time rate, using Thermo King for temp control
What are the best skills to put on a truck driver resume?
Truck driver resumes should list both technical and soft skills. Include only those you’ve demonstrated on the job or through training.
Your driving expertise is crucial to showing hiring managers what you bring differently from other drivers. When you write your resume, add relevant skills to show your mastery and passion for the industry. Show how you applied the skills to achieve set goals.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
- Cargo handling
- Hazardous Materials Handling (HAZMAT)
- Forklift operation (for some drivers)
- Navigation and GPS Use
- Vehicle maintenance & troubleshooting
- Regulatory compliance
How to include education and certifications
Although a degree or any other form of higher education isn’t necessary to get a truck driving job, it shows you have some formal training. Start with the highest level of education, with the institution name, field of study, location, and graduation date.
What education should truck drivers include?
Truck driving jobs don’t require a college degree, but recruiters and employers often expect at least a high school diploma and CDL certification.
Example
High School Diploma
Fenway High School
2012-2016
Boston, MA
What certifications should go on a truck driver resume?
Certifications prove your ability to handle specialized cargo or vehicles. They also give your application credibility and a competitive edge over other candidates. It states that you’re not just a truck driver, but can handle special assignments diligently.
Key certifications and licences for truck drivers
- Class A CDL
- Class C CDL
- Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME)
- Passenger Endorsement
- Freight Forwarder License
- Forklift Operator Certification
- Air Brake Endorsement
- International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) and International Registration Plan (IRP)
How do I match my resume to a truck driver job posting?
Before submitting your application, review the posting and identify key phrases such as “team driving,” “long-haul,” “HAZMAT certified”, etc. Incorporate these terms into your bullet points and skills to echo the job’s expectations and mirror its language.
How can I show I’m a safe and reliable driver?
Highlight safety metrics and track records in your summary and experience bullet points. Include these details:
- Years accident-free
- Delivery punctuality rate
- Drug testing compliance
- Certifications such as the Smith System training
What layout works best for truck driver resumes?
Use a reverse chronological format and add these sections in the following sequence: contact info, then summary, work experience, skills, certifications, and education. Avoid graphics, complex formatting, and two-column layouts that hinder ATS readability.
Related resume guides
Truck Driver Resume FAQs
A strong truck driver resume is an account of your safety, reliability, and logistics proficiency. Recruiters will be reviewing for:
Relevant driving experience with specialities like long-haul, local, or hazmat
Vehicle types you’re familiar with (e.g., flatbed, tanker, refrigerated)
Quantified mileage and accomplishments, such as punctuality and time saved
Safety record
Endorsements and licensure, like CDL Class A, HAZMAT, or TWIC
A truck driver resume summary is a short, impactful 2-3 lines section at the top of your resume that:
Summarizes total years of experience
Highlights key certifications and driving records
Mentions unique strengths, like GPS proficiency, cargo handling, or bilingual communication
A job-winning truck driver must contain contact information, work experience, skills, licences, and certifications. If necessary, you can also add a professional summary of your qualifications.
Yes, most trucking companies require a resume even for entry-level roles. Having a resume:
Provides structured proof of past employment, routes driven, and qualifications
Helps you stand out from other applicants going for the same position
Ensures applicant tracking systems (ATS) determine your fit before a real HR manager reviews it
