Best CDL Driver Resume Examples for 2025 (Template & Guide)

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CDL Driver Resume: Choose a Format

The first step in writing your resume is to choose a format. The right format will emphasize your strengths and catch the eye of hiring managers. There are three formats for a CDL driver resume: chronological, functional or combination.

Each format works differently and will be better for different circumstances and career stages. We’ll explain each to help you decide!

Chronological resumes for CDL drivers

A chronological resume is a great option if you have consistent driving experience. This format highlights your work history, starting with your most recent role and working backward, which helps hiring managers see your career growth and expertise quickly and easily. It is also compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) that employers use to pre-screen resumes.

If you’ve been working steadily as a CDL driver, a chronological format makes showcasing your skills and accomplishments easy. However, if your career has gaps or you’re new to the field, you may want to consider another format.

Functional resumes for CDL drivers

If you’re changing careers, just starting out as a CDL driver or have gaps in your employment, a functional resume might be the way to go. A functional format focuses on your skills instead of your work history. It allows you to showcase abilities like vehicle maintenance or route planning without tying them to past job titles or a clear timeline.

However, this format is not compatible with most ATS, and employers may prefer to see a detailed job history. When choosing this format, provide plenty of details to assure employers you are a good fit for the job.

Combination resumes for CDL drivers

A combination resume blends the chronological and functional formats to highlight your skills and work experience equally. It features a detailed skill section at the top of the page, followed by a chronological work history.

A combination format is an excellent choice if you have a mix of technical expertise and previous experience as a CDL Driver. However, it can be challenging to organize, which could make your CDL driver resume longer than ideal. If you choose a combination format, focus on the most relevant information to keep your resume one to two pages long.

Choosing the right resume format

Picking the right resume format is all about what works best for your experience and career goals. If you’re unsure, a chronological format is always a safe choice. It’s a straightforward, ATS-friendly format that hiring managers can follow easily.

You can make a chronological resume work well for you even if you don’t have previous CDL driving experience. You can customize your resume to focus on transferable skills from past jobs, such as time management or vehicle maintenance.

For example, if you’ve worked in delivery or logistics, highlight how that experience aligns with the job requirements. Tailor your resume to the CDL driver position by emphasizing relevant skills and achievements to show hiring managers you are prepared for the role.

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How to Write a CDL Driver Resume

Writing a standout CDL driver resume doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re an experienced driver or just starting your driving career, this resume writing guide will help you showcase what makes you the right fit for the role.

Start by creating a resume outline that includes these five essential sections:

• Contact information
• Summary or Objective
• Work History
• Skills
• Education

We’ll walk you through how to make each section of your resume showcase your strengths and show you some optional sections that can set you apart from the competition!

Contact information

Your contact information is the first thing a hiring manager will see, so it should be professional and easy to read. Provide your full name, city and state, phone number, and email address. If you have a current LinkedIn profile, include it to give employers a broader view of your professional background.

Your contact information should look something like this:

Jamie Gonzalez
Dallas, TX
(555) 123-4567
jgonzalez@email.com
LinkedIn.com/jamielgonzalez

Remember to double-check that your email address and phone number are correct — employers can’t reach you if they don’t have the right information!

Summary or objective

Next, you will write a two to three-sentence introduction that shows your experience and qualifications. You can choose either a resume summary or an objective statement, depending on your experience level.

A resume summary is ideal for experienced CDL drivers. It’s a high-impact paragraph that showcases your key skills, years of experience, and top accomplishments. For example, a resume summary for a CDL Driver might say:

Dedicated CDL driver with 5+ years of long-haul experience, specializing in on-time deliveries and safe vehicle operations. Skilled in route optimization and freight management, with a clean driving record.

On the other hand, an objective statement works best for new CDL drivers or those transitioning from another field. It focuses on your career goals, emphasizing transferable skills and enthusiasm for the job. For example, an objective for a CDL driver resume might say:

Hardworking and safety-focused professional with a recently earned CDL seeking a position as a driver with ABC Logistics. Eager to apply strong organizational skills, a commitment to timely deliveries and a dedication to maintaining a spotless driving record while contributing to efficient transportation operations.

Whatever option you choose, tailor this introduction to each job you apply for. Include keywords from the job description to make your resume ATS-friendly and to get noticed by hiring managers.

Work history

Your work history section is crucial to your CDL driver resume because it shows employers what you’ve accomplished in real-world settings. Start by listing your previous jobs chronologically, starting with your most recent position and working backward. Include your job title, company name and employment dates. Then, underneath each job entry, include bullet points describing your key responsibilities and accomplishments.

Start each bullet point with an action verb like “operated,” “delivered” or “optimized” to demonstrate initiative. Whenever possible, quantify your achievements to give them more weight. For instance, instead of saying you “delivered goods,” you could say you “transported over 200,000 pounds of freight annually with a 98% on-time delivery rate.”

Here’s an example of a strong job entry for a CDL driver resume:

CDL Driver
ABC Trucking Co., Houston, TX
Jan 2018 – Present

• Safely transported goods across 12 states, maintaining a 100% on-time delivery rate.
• Conducted daily vehicle inspections to ensure safety compliance, reducing maintenance issues by 15%.
• Trained three new drivers on company routes and safety protocols, improving team efficiency.

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Skills

Your skills section is an essential part of your CDL driver resume. A great skills section includes a mix of hard skills — specific technical abilities directly related to driving — and soft skills highlighting your personal and professional strengths. Both skills are equally important, as they show your ability to perform the job and how you’ll interact with clients, coworkers and supervisors.

For inspiration, we have listed the top hard and soft skills for a CDL driver resume here:

Top hard skills for CDL driver resumes

1. Vehicle maintenance: Demonstrating your ability to inspect and maintain vehicles ensures safe and efficient operation, which helps avoid costly breakdowns and delays.
2. Route optimization: Highlighting your ability to plan efficient delivery routes demonstrates that you can save time, fuel, and resources. Employers value this skill because it contributes directly to the company’s bottom line.
3. Hazardous material handling: Showing expertise in transporting sensitive or dangerous cargo with certifications like HAZMAT demonstrates that you can handle specialized tasks safely and responsibly.
4. GPS and navigation: Proficiency with GPS and navigation tools ensures accurate delivery routes, helping you avoid delays and mistakes.
5. Defensive driving: Employers prioritize drivers with strong defensive driving abilities because they reduce accidents and promote a safer work environment.

Top soft skills for CDL driver resumes

1. Time management: Emphasizing your ability to meet tight deadlines and handle multiple deliveries shows you can effectively manage your workload.
2. Communication: Highlighting clear and professional communication skills demonstrates your ability to coordinate with dispatchers, clients and coworkers.
3. Problem-solving: Demonstrating how you handle unexpected challenges, like route changes or mechanical issues, shows employers you’re resourceful and can stay calm under pressure.
4. Reliability: Employers value dependable drivers who show up on time and consistently perform well. Emphasizing your reliability builds trust and assures employers that you’ll be a dependable part of their team.
5. Teamwork: Collaboration is key in logistics, and your ability to work well with dispatchers, warehouse staff, and clients highlights your commitment to smooth operations.

The skills section for a CDL driver resume should look something like this:

Skills

• Vehicle maintenance
• Route optimization
• Hazardous material handling
• GPS and navigation
• Defensive driving
• Communication

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Education

Including your educational background on a CDL driver’s resume is essential, even if it’s just a high school diploma. Employers want to know you meet basic educational requirements, and it’s a great place to list any relevant training or coursework, such as driver education or vocational programs.

Focus on presenting this section clearly and professionally. You don’t need to include graduation dates unless the employer specifically asks for them.

Education

High School Diploma
Springfield High School, Springfield, IL

If you’ve completed additional professional training or certifications, you can list those here. However, we suggest listing them separately to make them stand out. Creating a separate, clearly labeled section can help employers find your specific license endorsements or other specialized qualifications they may be looking for.

Additional sections

Once you have the essentials covered, adding extra sections to your resume is a smart way to showcase unique qualifications or experiences that set you apart from other CDL drivers. Here are some optional sections to consider for a CDL driver resume:

• Certifications: Highlight industry-specific credentials, such as HAZMAT or Tanker endorsements, which show expertise and open doors to more opportunities.
• Volunteer Experience: Participating in community events or volunteer work involving transportation or logistics can be a substitute for professional experience.
• Languages: Speaking multiple languages is a major asset in roles requiring interaction with diverse clients or teams.

Top certifications for CDL drivers

Certifications are essential for CDL drivers because they demonstrate your qualifications and expand your job opportunities. Here are some of the most valuable certifications for CDL drivers:

1. Class A CDL License: This is the foundation of most CDL driver jobs, qualifying you to operate large vehicles like tractor-trailers and long-haul trucks.
2. HAZMAT Certification: This certification demonstrates that you’ve been trained in handling and safety procedures for transporting hazardous materials, making you eligible for higher-paying, specialized roles.
3. Tanker Endorsement: This endorsement qualifies you to operate tank vehicles often used to transport liquids like fuel or chemicals.
4. Doubles/Triples Endorsement: The “T” endorsement allows you to haul vehicles with multiple trailers. It’s ideal for companies that require drivers to maximize loads, offering more job opportunities and potential for higher earnings.
5. Defensive Driving Certification: While not always required, this certification highlights your commitment to road safety and reduces liability for employers. It’s a great way to show safety is a top priority.

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10 Tips for Writing a CDL Driver Resume

1. Highlight your clean driving record. Your driving record is one of the first things employers will look for, so make sure it stands out. If you have a spotless record, mention it in your resume summary or work history section.
2. Use industry-specific keywords. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) often screen resumes for specific keywords before they even reach a hiring manager. Review the job description carefully and incorporate terms like “route optimization,” “safety compliance,” “freight handling” or “Class A CDL.” These keywords show you’re a match for the role and improve your chances of passing the ATS screening.
3. Quantify achievements with metrics. Numbers speak louder than words. Instead of simply stating your responsibilities, quantify your accomplishments to show your impact. For example, “Delivered over 200,000 pounds of freight annually with a 98% on-time delivery rate” is much more compelling than “Handled freight deliveries.”
4. Tailor your resume to the job description. No two CDL jobs are exactly alike, so don’t use a one-size-fits-all resume. If a job emphasizes skills like hazardous material transport or defensive driving, ensure those qualifications are front and center on your resume. Tailoring your resume to the job description shows employers you’ve taken the time to align your experience with their needs.
5. Focus on safety and compliance. Employers want CDL drivers who take safety seriously. Highlight your knowledge of safety protocols, vehicle inspections, and regulatory compliance.
6. Include relevant endorsements. Endorsements like HAZMAT, Tanker, or Doubles/Triples can make you a more attractive candidate. List them in a dedicated certifications section and mention them in your summary if they’re relevant to the job. For example, “Class A CDL with HAZMAT and Tanker endorsements” immediately catches an employer’s eye.
7. Showcase time management skills. Meeting delivery deadlines is critical in the trucking industry. Highlight your ability to manage tight schedules and handle multiple deliveries efficiently.
8. Keep formatting clean and professional. Your resume should be easy to read and visually appealing. Use consistent formatting, clear headings and bullet points to organize your information. Stick to professional fonts like Arial or Times New Roman, and avoid excessive graphics or colors that could distract from the content.
9. Include any special equipment expertise. If you’re skilled at operating specialized equipment, such as refrigerated trucks or flatbeds, include this experience in your skills or work history sections. For example, “Operated refrigerated trailers to transport perishable goods, maintaining temperature control during transit” shows your versatility and technical knowledge.
10. Proofread for errors. Nothing undermines a professional resume faster than typos or grammatical mistakes. Carefully proofread your resume — or ask someone else to review it. Mistakes can make you seem careless, which is the last impression you want to leave with a potential employer.