Truck Driver Resume—Examples and Skills + No Experience

The struggle is real. You apply and apply, but hear nothing back. The problem? It’s probably your truck driver resume. Don’t hit the panic button. The right resume can fast-lane your job search.

In this guide:

• A truck driving resume sample better than most.
• How to make a strong truck driver job description for resumes.
• How to write a resume for truck driver jobs that wakes employers up.
• Why you can’t just list truck driver skills (and what to do instead).

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Truck Driver Resume Example You Can Copy and Use

Truck Drivers transport goods from one location to another. They must ensure the safe and timely delivery of goods while adhering to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Truck Drivers must also perform inspections and maintenance on their vehicles.

Here’s how to write a truck driver resume that works:

1. Select the Right Truck Driver Resume Format

Truck driver resumes have to look right. Employers do care about the format of a resume. Here are the top-line tips:

Truck Driver Resume Format

• Stick to a 1-page resume.
• Use 1-inch resume margins.
• Put some white space between your sentences to not crowd the page.
• List everything in a reverse-chronological resume format.
• Use a readable resume font like 10–12pt Verdana or Cambria.
• Add these sections to your resume: Heading, Objective, Job History, Education, and Skills.
• Save your resumes as a PDF. PDFs keep their layouts clean.

Expert Hint: Truck drivers can make $70,000 or more, but most don’t. A well-formatted truck driving resume can get you paid more, fast.

2. Add a Truck Driver Resume Objective or Summary

 

Most resumes only get a glance. To get hired, you need to stand out. So catch their eye with a mini-summary of your resume. We call it a resume profile. It’s a short packing list for your career. Add:

1. An adjective (licensed, reliable)
2. The words “truck driver” ( with OTR, box truck, bus, etc.)
3. Years of experience (2+, 4+)
4. How & who you’ll help (deliver on time for Yellow)
5. Best 2–3 truck driver moments (drove average of 4,300 miles per week...)

And—write it last to make it easy.

These driver resume summary examples show the route:

Truck Driver Resume Summary—Example

Licensed OTR Truck Driver with 5+ years of experience. Seeking to deliver on time for Yellow. Have CDL license with 100% clean driving record. At Berube International, drove average of 4,300 miles per week while meeting delivery schedules 95% on-time. Met all drug test requirements. Established reputation for safe driving and efficiency.

Experienced truck driver, skilled in flatbed tarping, OTR driving, and vehicle maintenance. Recognized as being a dependable driver who gets things done and pays attention to safety. Can be relied on to be on time every time and easy to get along with.

That first sample blows the doors off. So many deep details. But—

A truck driver resume with no experience still needs evidence of skills. That's where a resume objective goes into high gear.

Entry-Level Truck Driver Resume Objective

Licensed truck driver with skills in flatbed tarping and vehicle maintenance. Seeking to deliver on time for Berube International. As dump truck driver at Castle Rock Stone, drove quarry truck 5 days per week in 10-hr shifts with 95% on-time delivery.

Entry-level truck driver, seeking full-time OTR truck driver work. Haven’t yet held a full-time position but I worked as a dump truck driver at Castle Rock Stone. Dependable, hard-working, and can be trusted to deliver to customers on time.

The second of those entry-level truck driver resume examples makes empty promises. The first delivers a lot of measured proof.

Expert Hint: Find truck driver jobs on Indeed or Google Jobs. But apply on the trucking company’s website. That way they’ll actually see your application.

The ResumeLab builder is more than looks. Get specific content to boost your chances of getting the job. Add job descriptions, bullet points, and skills. Easy. Improve your resume in our resume builder now.

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3. Supercharge Your Truck Driver Job Description and Skills Section

Most CDL resumes botch their job descriptions. They say, “I did a lot of truck driver things.” But without proof and evidence, employers ignore them. To write a great truck driver job description:

1. Read the job posting to see the skills to put on your resume.
2. Put those resume keywords in your description.
3. Show results you got, with numbers.

Do it like the first of these CDL truck driver resume samples:

Say the job ad wants these truck driver skills: OTR driving, clean driving record, drug free, efficiency.

Truck Driver Job Description for Resume [Sample]

Experience

CDL-A OTR Truck Driver

Berube International

2015–2019

• Drove OTR 4,300 miles per week, meeting 95% of delivery schedules.
• Kept 100% clean driving record at all times.
• Met 100% of drug test requirements.
• Recognized 2x by management for efficiency and safe driving.

• Drove truck on long hauls, meeting delivery schedules.
• Maintained high level of client satisfaction for undamaged goods.
• Recognized for safe driving.
• Kept accurate log for all driving days.

The first of those truck driver resume examples shows skills they want + numbers:

1. OTR driving (4,300 miles per week, 95% on time)
2. Clean driving record (100%)
3. Drug free (100%)
4. Efficiency (recognized 2x)

The second isn’t bad! But it doesn’t clamp you to this job.

Here’s an entry-level resume example: The job ad wants these truck driver skills: professional driving, dependability, on-time delivery.

Entry-Level Truck Driver Resume Job Description [Example]

Dump Truck Driver

Castle Rock Stone

2014–2015

• Drove quarry dump truck 5 days a week.
• Performed demanding work in 10-hour shifts.
• Dependable—worked full year without a single sick day.
• Delivered crushed rock to customers on time.

Dump Truck Driver

Castle Rock Stone

2014–2015

• Drove quarry dump truck 5 days a week.
• Performed demanding work in 10-hour shifts.
• Worked full year without a single sick day.
• Delivered crushed rock to customers on time.

And now the next part—the right truck driver skills. Show 5-10 of the most relevant ones on your resume. Use these truck driver resume skills to start:

Truck Driver Resume Skills

Hard Skills	Soft Skills
CDL Class A	Interpersonal Skills
Keeping a Log Book	Judgement
OTR Driving	Problem Solving
Load Bar Operation	Honesty
Flatbed Tarping	Work Ethic
Clean Driving Record	Communication
Vehicle Maintenance	Physically Fit
Vehicle Inspection	Reliability
Unloading Freight	Coordination
Safe Driving	Safety

Expert Hint: With a massive truck driver shortage, shouldn’t getting a job be easier? Getting bad jobs is easier. Customize your resume to land a good one with high pay.

4. Turn Boring Education to a Reason to Hire You

Truck drivers don’t need PhDs. But all resumes need education sections.

Here’s the trick: Use yours to catch the boss’ eye. This CDL truck driver resume sample nails it:

Truck Driver Resume Example—Education

Education

Coastal Truck Driving School

Graduated with Certification, 2014

Grant Senior High

2010–2014

• Varsity football team.
• Excelled in vocational technical coursework.

A few eye-catching facts can make them remember you.

5. Add More to Your Truck Driver Resume

You need a certification on a resume for a truck driving job. But—Did you know other sections can get you noticed? Add 1–2 of these sections:

• Association memberships (ATA)
• Certifications and trainings (CDL-A, FAST Card)
• Groups and clubs
• Volunteer work
• Additional activities or interests
• Fitness

These truck driver resume examples show how:

Truck Driver Resume—Extra Sections

Certifications

• CDL Class A
• FAST Card

Additional Activities

• Adhere to gym workout routine 2x per week.
• Maintain cardiovascular health with 2-mile walks 5x per week.

Volunteer Work

Walk dogs 1 day per week at Prudhomme County Shelter.

Additional Activities

• Walking
• Playing guitar

There’s nothing wrong with playing guitar. But the first of those truck driver resume examples shows dependability and fitness.

Expert Hint: Write a cover letter. Resumes for truck drivers that add cover letters get more notice. That can mean more eye-time with the hiring manager. You can learn how to write a cover letter from our guide.

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Key Points

For a truck driver resume that functions:

• Use the truck driver resume template up top. It highlights your best on-the-road moments.
• Pick the right resume keywords from the truck driver job description online.
• Write resume sections with the skills the job asks for. Show the results you got in past jobs.
• Include your CDL certification. Add “extra” sections like interests or volunteer work to show you’re no amateur.

Got questions on how to write great resumes for truck driver jobs? Not sure how to show truck driver on a resume? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply!

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