Truck Driver Resume—Examples and 25+ Writing Tips

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).

 Create a job-winning resume with little effort. Hack your way through ATS software with our 18 beautiful templates—give our builder a try!

Create my resume now

Looking for a different kind of resume or a career change? See: 

• Resume for a Career Change
• Pilot Resume Example
• Delivery Driver Resume Example

Haven't found what you're looking for? Check all our Resume Examples for Over 200 Jobs.

Truck Driver Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

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

1. Select the Right Truck Driver Resume Format

I won’t lie.

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 1-page resumes.
• Use 1-inch margins.
• Put some white space between your sentences.
• List jobs in reverse-chronological format.
• Use a 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

Pretend they won’t read your resume.

You don’t have to pretend.

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 job objective, job summary, or summary of qualifications. 

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 examples show the route:

Truck Driver Resume Summary—Example

See the difference?

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

But—

A truck driver resume with no experience still needs evidence of skills.

Entry-Level Truck Driver Resume Objective

The second of those entry-level truck driver resume examples makes empty promises.

The first delivers.

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

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 best resume skills.
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]

Here’s the idea:

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 [Sample]

Bam.

The right skills + results = hired.

Use these truck driver resume skills to start:

Truck Driver Resume Skills

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

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

5. Add More to Your Truck Driver Resume

You need a certification. But—

Did you know other sections can get you noticed?

Add 1–2 of these sections:

• Association memberships (NTA)
• 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

Don’t get me wrong!

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.

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!