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How to Write a Truck Driver Resume

For driving roles, recruiters scan for license class, endorsements, and a clean record before anything else. Put those facts where they cannot be missed.

How to structure it

Lead with your license and endorsements

CDL class (A, B, C), endorsements (HazMat, Tanker, Doubles/Triples, Passenger), and any TWIC card go right at the top. A carrier filtering for HazMat tanker drivers will not read further without them.

State your record and experience clearly

Years of safe driving, total miles, accident-free record, and the equipment you have run (dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker). "3 years, 300k+ accident-free miles, reefer and dry van" answers the recruiter’s real questions.

List routes and hours you can run

OTR, regional, local, dedicated; willingness for overnight or multi-day. Carriers plan around this — being upfront saves a phone call and gets you matched to the right lane.

Keep compliance visible

Clean MVR, current DOT medical card, no DUIs, ELD experience. These are pass/fail filters for most carriers; make them easy to confirm.

Keywords recruiters scan for

Work the relevant terms into your bullets. ATS and recruiters search for exactly these:

CDL Class AHazMat endorsementTanker endorsementDOT complianceELD / e-logsPre-trip inspectionReefer / dry van / flatbedOTR / regionalClean MVRDOT medical cardHours of ServiceLoad securementRoute planningTWIC card

Common mistakes

Burying the CDL class and endorsements: they belong at the very top.
Vague experience: "drove trucks" says nothing; "OTR reefer, 48 states, 300k accident-free miles" says it all.
Omitting compliance facts: clean MVR and current medical card are the first filters — state them.
No equipment detail: carriers match drivers to equipment; list what you have actually run.

Recommended template: Compact or Traditional. PickedCV’s clean templates put your CDL class, endorsements, and safe-driving record where carriers look first — clear and scannable, never watermarked.

FAQ

How long should a truck driver resume be?

One page is ideal. Recruiters want the license, record, and equipment fast.

Should I list every carrier I drove for?

List relevant recent ones with dates; explain any gaps briefly to avoid questions about employment history.

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