A carrier or fleet manager reads a truck driver resume for a few facts: CDL class, endorsements, years of experience, safety record and the type of driving you have done. Put those where they cannot be missed, then add what makes you reliable on the road.
Summary
CDL Class A driver with six years of regional and over-the-road driving without an accident. Hauls dry van and refrigerated freight and handles pre-trip inspections, electronic logs and customer deliveries with care. Keeps on-time delivery high and communicates early when plans change. Holds tanker and HAZMAT endorsements and a clean MVR. Looking for a regional route with regular home time.
Work experience
Regional Truck Driver, CDL-A, Refrigerated carrier in Kansas City, MO (2021 - Present)
Drive regional routes across 5 states, about 2,200 miles a week, with home time every weekend.
Maintain a 98 percent on-time delivery rate on grocery and food service loads.
Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and log hours in the ELD with no violations.
Received the company's quarterly safe driver award four times.
OTR Truck Driver, CDL-A, Dry van carrier in Omaha, NE (2018 - 2021)
Hauled dry van freight across the lower 48 states, usually out for two to three weeks.
Worked with dispatch to replan routes around weather and delays.
Delivered to distribution centers and handled bills of lading and delivery paperwork.
Education
Commercial Driver's License Class A, tanker and HAZMAT endorsements, State licensing (2018)
CDL training program, Truck driving school in Nebraska (2018)
Skills
CDL Class A driving
Pre-trip and post-trip inspections
ELD and hours of service compliance
Dry van and reefer freight
Load securement
Route planning
Customer deliveries and paperwork
Defensive driving
Backing and docking in tight spaces
Clear communication with dispatch
Keywords the software looks for
Many employers have your resume read first by software that filters on these words. Use them where they match your experience: in your summary and in your work experience.
truck driver
CDL Class A
OTR
regional
HAZMAT endorsement
tanker endorsement
clean MVR
DOT
ELD
hours of service
reefer
on-time delivery
How to make your resume stronger
Put your CDL at the top
Class, endorsements and state. Recruiters filter on these first, so they belong right under your name.
Mention your safety record
Years without an accident, a clean MVR, safe driver awards. Safety is the first thing carriers check.
Describe the type of driving
OTR, regional or local, freight type, and miles per week. It shows which jobs you fit right away.
Show reliability
On-time delivery rates and clean logs tell a fleet manager you can be trusted with their customers.
Say what you are looking for
Home time, routes and schedule. Being clear saves both sides time.
Common mistakes
Leaving out endorsements or the CDL class.
No mention of safety record or years of experience.
Not describing the freight or type of routes.
A long summary without the basic facts carriers look for.
Frequently asked questions
What should a truck driver resume include?
Your CDL class and endorsements, years of experience, safety record, type of driving and freight, and the routes you are looking for.
Do truck drivers need a resume?
Many carriers use an application form, but a resume helps you stand out and makes the application faster. Keep it to one page.
How do I list endorsements?
Next to your CDL at the top, for example: CDL Class A, tanker (N) and HAZMAT (H). Repeat them in your skills if the posting mentions them.
Should I include my MVR on my resume?
Do not attach it, but mention that it is clean. The carrier will pull the record itself during hiring.
Resumate is an AI resume builder for job seekers, at getresumate.com and getresumate.nl. We help candidates get past the filter with a resume, a cover letter and a match per job posting. Resumate is not a recruiter ATS and not a job board.