How to Write a Truck Driver Résumé That Passes
What is a good headline for a resume for a truck driver?
An effective truck driver resume headline grabs attention by showcasing your CDL credentials, safety record, and delivery performance in a single line. For example:
“CDL Class A Driver • 150,000+ Accident-Free Miles • 98% On-Time Delivery Rate”
Tailor yours to highlight your highest-level license, key endorsements (HAZMAT, tanker), and a quantifiable achievement that demonstrates reliability.
Writing a standout truck driver résumé is about more than listing miles driven—it’s proving you meet strict safety standards, deliver on time, and leverage modern logistics tools. Whether you’re crafting a truck driver resume from scratch or refining your CDL driver CV example, these driving resume tips will help pass both ATS scans and recruiter reviews.
Understanding DOT and Safety Requirements
Highlight compliance: Clearly state your familiarity with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, including hours-of-service rules and vehicle inspection protocols.
Certifications and training: List any recent safety courses, such as HAZMAT handling, defensive driving, or roadside inspection training.
Safety metrics: Quantify your record—e.g., “Maintained accident-free driving over 120,000 safe miles.”
Showcasing Your CDL Class and Endorsements
Prominent placement: Position your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) class (A, B, or C) at the top of your résumé summary or in a dedicated license section.
List endorsements: Include endorsements such as HAZMAT, tanker, double/triple trailers, or passenger, each on its own line for easy scanning.
State and expiration dates: Note your issuing state and license expiration to show you’re ready to work without delay.
Detailing On-Time Delivery and Safety Record
Quantify performance: Use percentages or ratios—e.g., “Achieved 98% on-time deliveries across a 600,000-mile route network.”
Highlight reliability: Mention awards or recognition, such as “Voted Driver of the Month for zero delivery delays, Q3 2024.”
Problem-solving examples: Briefly describe instances where you navigated route disruptions—weather, traffic, or mechanical—to meet deadlines.
Formatting for Easy Scanning by Recruiters
Clean layout: Use clear headings, bullet points, and consistent fonts. Avoid dense paragraphs.
ATS-friendly keywords: Incorporate “truck driver resume,” “CDL driver CV example,” and “driving resume tips” naturally in your professional summary and skills section.
Section ordering: Lead with contact information and summary, followed by licenses, skills, experience, and education.
Adding GPS/Logistics Technology Skills
Software proficiency: List GPS systems (Garmin, Rand McNally) and fleet-management platforms (Omnitracs, KeepTruckin).
Digital logs: Highlight familiarity with electronic logging devices (ELDs) and ability to maintain electronic logs accurately.
Data-driven improvements: Mention any use of telematics data to optimize fuel efficiency or route planning.
Sample Statements on Route Efficiency
“Optimized multi-state routes using telematics analysis, reducing fuel costs by 12% over 75,000 miles.”
“Coordinated with dispatch to adjust routes in real time, achieving an average delivery variance of just 4 minutes.”
“Implemented load consolidation strategies that increased cargo capacity utilization by 18%.”
“Conducted weekly route audits, identifying and correcting deviations for improved customer satisfaction scores.”
Truck Driver Resume Examples & Templates (2025)
Here are three ready-to-use truck driver résumé templates for 2025, each tailored to different levels of experience and highlighting CDL qualifications, safety record, and technology skills. Simply fill in your details and adjust formatting as needed.
1. Chronological CDL Driver Résumé Template markdown
**[Your Name]**
[City, State] · [Phone] · [Email] · [LinkedIn]
### Professional Summary
Highly reliable CDL Class A driver with 5+ years’ experience in long-haul and regional freight. Maintained 200,000+ accident-free miles while leveraging GPS and ELD technology to optimize routes and reduce fuel costs by 10%.
### Licenses & Endorsements
– **CDL Class A**, State of [XX], Expires [MM/YYYY]
– Endorsements: HAZMAT • Tanker • Double/Triple Trailers
### Core Competencies
– DOT Compliance & Safety Audits
– GPS Navigation (Garmin, Rand McNally)
– Electronic Logging Devices (Omnitracs, KeepTruckin)
– Route Optimization & Fuel Efficiency
– Load Securement & Inspection
### Professional Experience
**Senior Truck Driver**, Acme Freight Lines – [City, State]
*June 2021 – Present*
– Achieved 98% on-time delivery rate over 150,000 miles across 48 states.
– Reduced preventable incidents by 30% through proactive vehicle inspections and adherence to DOT protocols.
– Coordinated real-time route adjustments using telematics data, cutting average delivery time by 15%.
**Truck Driver**, Fast Haul Inc. – [City, State]
*January 2018 – May 2021*
– Completed 50+ long-haul trips per month, maintaining an accident-free record.
– Trained 12 new drivers on safety procedures and ELD usage, improving team compliance by 20%.
– Managed cargo loads up to 45,000 lbs with zero freight damage incidents.
### Education & Training
– **Commercial Driver Safety Course**, [Training Provider], 2024
– **HAZMAT Certification**, [Provider], 2023
### Technical Skills
– Fleet-Management Software: Omnitracs, KeepTruckin
– Mapping & GPS: Garmin, Rand McNally
– MS Office Suite, Basic Vehicle Diagnostics
2. Skills-Based Truck Driver Résumé Template markdown
**[Your Name]** | CDL Class A | HAZMAT, Tanker
[City, State] · [Phone] · [Email]
### Professional Summary
Detail-oriented CDL driver with a proven track record of safe, on-time deliveries and exceptional route planning skills. Expertise in electronic logging, telematics analysis, and load securement.
### Key Skills
| Skill Area | Examples |
|——————————-|————————————————|
| **Safety & Compliance** | Accident-free miles, proactive DOT inspections |
| **Route Optimization** | Fuel-saving strategies, telematics analysis |
| **Technology Proficiency** | Omnitracs, KeepTruckin, Garmin, ELDs |
| **Load Handling** | Flatbeds, refrigerated, tanker trailers |
| **Communication & Reporting** | Daily logs, customer updates, incident reports |
### Professional Experience
**Route Efficiency Specialist**, Blue Ribbon Transport – [City, State]
*March 2022 – Present*
– Optimized multi-stop regional routes, reducing idle time by 18%.
– Implemented GPS-based rerouting to avoid construction zones, improving average delivery variance to ±5 minutes.
**Driver & Trainer**, Nationwide Logistics – [City, State]
*July 2019 – February 2022*
– Mentored 8 junior drivers, focusing on ELD compliance and safety best practices.
– Consistently scored above 4.8/5.0 on customer satisfaction surveys for on-time performance.
### Certifications & Endorsements
– CDL Class A, [State], Expires [MM/YYYY]
– HAZMAT • Double/Triple Trailers • Tanker
Education
– **High School Diploma**, [School Name], [City, State]
3. Entry-Level Truck Driver Résumé Template
**[Your Name]**
[City, State] · [Phone] · [Email]
### Objective
Motivated CDL Class A graduate seeking an entry-level truck driving role where I can apply strong safety training, commitment to compliance, and ability to learn advanced routing technologies.
### Licenses & Certifications
– CDL Class A, [State], Expires [MM/YYYY]
– Defensive Driving Certification, [Provider], 2024
### Training Highlights
– Completed 160-hour CDL training program with zero safety violations.
– Hands-on experience with electronic logging devices (ELDs) and GPS navigation systems.
– Simulated HAZMAT and tanker hauling exercises under instructor supervision.
### Skills
– DOT Hours-of-Service Compliance
– Pre- and Post-Trip Vehicle Inspections
– GPS: Garmin, Rand McNally
– ELD Software: KeepTruckin
### Experience
**CDL Student Driver**, [CDL School Name] – [City, State]
*January 2024 – June 2024*
– Logged 1,000+ miles on state highways and interstates under instructor oversight.
– Consistently performed pre-trip inspections without critical errors.
– Demonstrated safe backing and docking maneuvers in tight yard environments.
### Education
– **CDL Training Program**, [School Name], 2024
FAQ
A strong truck driver resume should include a clear professional summary, contact information, CDL class and endorsements, DOT and safety compliance details, key skills (e.g., GPS/logistics software), professional experience with quantifiable achievements, and any relevant training or certifications.
Create a dedicated “Licenses & Endorsements” section near the top of your résumé. List your CDL class (A, B, or C), followed by each endorsement (HAZMAT, tanker, double/triple trailers, passenger). Include issuing state and expiration dates to show you’re ready to work immediately.
Use numbers to quantify your safety achievements—for example, “Maintained 150,000 accident-free miles” or “Reduced preventable incidents by 25%.” Mention any awards or recognition and briefly describe how you navigated challenges (e.g., adverse weather or mechanical issues) to maintain safety standards.
Incorporate relevant keywords such as “truck driver resume,” “CDL driver CV example,” and “driving resume tips” naturally throughout your summary, skills list, and experience bullets. Use standard headings, bullet points, and avoid complex formatting or graphics that ATS systems may not parse correctly.
Yes. Modern fleets rely on GPS and telematics, so list your proficiency with systems like Garmin, Rand McNally, Omnitracs, KeepTruckin, and electronic logging devices (ELDs). Highlight any data-driven improvements you’ve made, such as fuel-efficiency optimizations or real-time route adjustments.
Be concise but specific. A sample bullet might read: “Optimized multi-state routes using telematics analysis, reducing fuel costs by 12% over 75,000 miles.” Quantify impact when possible, and focus on outcomes like cost savings, on-time delivery rates, or capacity utilization improvements.
