A truck driver resume has to prove you are safe, reliable, and compliant — the qualities carriers screen for before anything else. Hiring managers look for your CDL class and endorsements, your safe-mileage and on-time record, and a clean inspection history. This example shows how to lead with your license, quantify a safe driving record, and keep the resume clean so recruiters and DOT-minded employers can verify your fit fast.
Sample resume
Wayne Turner
CDL-A Truck Driver · OTR & Regional
Louisville, KY
Professional summary
CDL-A driver with 8 years and 500,000+ accident-free miles across OTR and regional routes. Strong on-time delivery record, clean inspections, and professional customer communication.
Experience
CDL-A Truck Driver (OTR)
Apr 2019 – Present
Bluegrass Freight Lines · Louisville, KY
- Drove OTR routes averaging 2,500 miles per week with a 98% on-time delivery rate.
- Maintained an accident-free record and passed all DOT and roadside inspections clean.
- Completed pre- and post-trip inspections and accurate ELD logs on every run.
Regional Delivery Driver
Apr 2016 – Mar 2019
Ohio Valley Transport · Louisville, KY
- Ran regional routes with multiple daily stops, communicating delays and delivery status professionally.
- Secured and inspected loads, documenting issues before departure.
Education
- CDL Class A (Endorsements: Hazmat, Tanker) — State of KentuckyJan 2016 – Jun 2016
- CDL Training Certificate — Bluegrass Truck Driving SchoolJan 2016 – Jun 2016
Skills
Sample resume summary
Truck driver resume focused on safety, route reliability, inspections, and customer delivery communication.
Achievement bullet examples
- Completed routes on schedule while following DOT and company safety requirements.
- Performed vehicle inspections and documented issues before and after trips.
- Communicated delivery status and resolved route changes professionally.
Skills to highlight
ATS keywords
How to write this resume
Lead with your CDL class and endorsements
Carriers screen for the license first. Put your CDL class and endorsements (Hazmat, Tanker, Doubles) in the header so they are impossible to miss.
Quantify your safe record
Accident-free miles, on-time rate, and clean inspections are the numbers recruiters care about. "500,000+ accident-free miles" is a powerful opener.
Show compliance discipline
DOT rules, ELD logs, and pre-/post-trip inspections signal a driver who will not create violations. Make your compliance habits explicit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Burying or omitting CDL class and endorsements.
- Not quantifying safe miles, on-time rate, or inspection history.
- Leaving gaps in employment unexplained, which carriers scrutinize.
- Ignoring DOT and ELD compliance that recruiters specifically look for.
Frequently asked questions
What should a truck driver resume include?
Your CDL class and endorsements, a summary, safe-mileage and on-time metrics, inspection and DOT compliance history, and a clear employment timeline.
How do I list my CDL on a truck driver resume?
Put the CDL class and endorsements in the header or a certifications line near the top, with the issuing state, so recruiters can verify eligibility instantly.
What do carriers look for on a truck driver resume?
A valid CDL with the right endorsements, accident-free miles, on-time delivery, clean inspections, and an accountable, gap-explained work history.