How to Write a Truck Driver Resume (With Tips and Example)

Updated 12 July 2023

Creating a tailored resume when applying to be a truck driver can help hiring managers identify that you're a good fit for the role. A well-written resume that matches the job requirements allows the hiring manager to easily identify your skills and experience. Learning how to highlight your positive attributes can be beneficial to writing an effective resume. In this article, we explain what a truck driver resume is, provide a step-by-step guide to writing a truck driver resume, identify some helpful tips and provide an example you can use to help develop your resume.

What is a truck driver resume?

A truck driver resume lists all your relevant work experience, skills and qualities in two to three pages. It allows hiring managers to identify if you have the skills and expertise required to meet the job description. Knowing how to write a resume is an important skill if you're looking for work as a truck driver. An effective resume can help get you to the next stage of the recruitment process.

Step-by-step guide to creating a truck driver resume

If you want to become a truck driver, consider following these steps when writing your resume:

1. Start with your contact details

Begin your resume by listing all of your contact information at the top of the page. You may want to position this in the top right corner of the document, which is a popular choice for professional resumes. Be sure to include your name, phone number and email address. Listing this information at the top of your resume can make it easy for the hiring manager to get in touch with you. As a truck driver, it may also be beneficial to list your physical address so that your prospective employer can determine your home base.

2. Write a resume objective

Your resume objective usually appears at the top of your resume underneath your contact details. It usually includes two to three sentences that summarise your work history and any specific attributes you want to include that show your suitability for the role. For example, as a truck driver, your resume objective may consist of your background in transportation, ability to work and operate heavy machinery, safe driving experience or communication skills. Your resume objective is typically the first thing potential employers read, so it's essential to focus on your top skills that can make a positive impression.

3. List your experience

Include all your recent and relevant work experience in your resume. When listing your employment history, include the name of your previous employer, the dates you worked in the role, what your role was and some of your primary responsibilities. By including any key achievements or accomplishments above and beyond the job description, you can demonstrate your commitment to the hiring manager. If you're applying for your first truck driving role, then it's essential to include any relevant work experience where you can highlight transferable skills. For example, include positions that show skills, such as customer service or time management.

4. Add your technical skills

List any technical or hard skills that are relevant to the role. For a truck driver, some technical skills you may wish to include are:

heavy vehicle driver's license
clean driving record
familiarity with road rules and regulations
navigation capabilities and experience
vehicle operation monitoring
maintenance and experience of using heavy machinery.

5. Include any relevant soft skills

In addition to technical skills, many employees seek candidates with soft skills that demonstrate their ability to undertake specific duties. For example, for a truck driver, the following skills may be helpful to include:

Time management: Good time management skills mean you allow adequate time for delays that may occur because of traffic delays or weather without disrupting your deadlines.
Customer service: Your role as a truck driver also represents the company you deliver for, as you're likely to interact with many people when travelling. This can require good customer service skills when liaising directly with clients.
Good reflexes: Having good reflexes can be a valuable skill for road safety. Being aware of others on the road and having the ability to respond quickly to either other drivers, the weather or any unforeseen traffic events can be helpful.

6. Detail your education

Include details relating to any education within your resume. It's essential to include the year you completed your studies, where you studied and details of the course. In addition to formal education, you can also include any relevant training courses you believe could be beneficial for the role. For example, short courses on time management or customer service can show employers your commitment to improving those skills when working as a truck driver.

7. Include any professional memberships or associations

It can be beneficial to include membership details of any professional memberships or associations. For example, the Australian Trucking Association is a professional group representing anyone working nationally in the trucking industry. They focus on safety and professionalism to help the industry improve. Listing any memberships can demonstrate your commitment to the industry to your potential employer.

Resume writing tips for a truck driver

Try using these tips to tailor your resume for a truck driving position:

Review the job description

The job description outlines the various qualifications, experience and skills that the employer is looking for in a candidate. Understanding what the hiring manager is looking for allows you to match up relevant skills and experience to the job description. For example, if the job description asks for a minimum of five years of professional truck driving experience and you have this, include these details on your resume.

Tailor your resume

Although it takes more effort, it's important to tailor your resume each time you apply for a job. A tailored resume can help ensure the alignment of your resume with what the employer requires. Consider creating a template resume that you can customise for each position or some high-level statements you can use when creating a new resume.

Research the employer

Research the company as you create your resume. Exploring their website is an excellent place to understand the company's culture, mission and what it does. When writing your resume, focus on how you can benefit the organisation rather than why you want the job, looking for opportunities to align your values with the organisation. Include your career achievements and goals and mention any unique skills or qualifications you have that may help to distinguish you from other candidates. For example, one of your goals may relate to helping minimise accidents during transport, which aligns with the company's safety goals.

Demonstrate your skills

In addition to listing your skills, use the work experience section to provide evidence of how you have used those skills in the workplace. Showing how you have used your skills can help the hiring manager quickly identify if you can meet their job requirements. Use examples within the responsibilities section when listing your experience.

Be specific

When including any key achievements, aim to be as specific as possible to demonstrate your capabilities. For example, outline the type of goods you've delivered or describe the particular heavy machinery you have experience using. If you have any data that outlines your capabilities, it's an excellent idea to include this in the work experience section. For example, you delivered 95% of shipments over the past 12 months.

Proofread your resume

Once you've drafted your resume, review it for any spelling or grammar mistakes. Ensuring that it reads well can give you the opportunity for the best first impression. Checking the format of your resume is also important. Check that the layout and fonts used are consistent, which can help your resume look professional. Getting a friend or family member to proofread your resume and asking for their feedback can be particularly useful to ensure the resume flows.

Resume example for a truck driver

Below, you can find a resume example that may be useful when creating your own truck driving resume:
Michael Kingston
Mitchelton, WA
374-567-4980
michael.kingston@email.com

Professional Summary Experienced and professional truck driver with over eight years of experience. Clean driving record with a focus on safety and efficiency. Responsible for managing logistics for various clients and passionate about customer satisfaction.

Experience

Truck driver
Compass Port National
February 2019 to current

coordinating with office personnel to schedule pick-ups and deliveries effectively
complying with relevant road safety rules
consistently meeting delivery times (100% of monthly targets achieved)

HR Truck driver
Fallsdon Postal Service
March 2016 to January 2019

managing frequent picks ups and deliveries from various locations across WA
carrying out daily vehicle safety checks
tracking status of deliveries using mobile apps and maintaining frequent communication with base

Truck driver
Wickham Logistics
January 2014 to February 2016

long-haul driving adhering to all road rules
coordinating logistics with office personnel and providing regular check-ins and updates
consistently exceeding targets of on-time deliveries (80% of monthly deliveries on time or early)

Skills

logistics management
good communication
customer service
time management
safety inspections
vehicle systems expertise

Education Mitchelton Secondary College
Completed December 2013 Western Australian Certificate of Education

References available upon request

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