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Create ResumeIf you’re applying for an owner operator truck driver job, you should use a resume in the United States and a CV in the UK or some international markets. A resume is shorter, focused on skills and results, and built for quick hiring decisions. A CV is longer, more detailed, and shows full driving history, training, and compliance knowledge.
Choosing the right format matters. Using the wrong one can reduce your chances of getting interviews, even if your experience is strong.
This guide breaks down exactly when to use a resume or CV, what each should include, and how to structure them for trucking jobs.
A resume is a short, 1–2 page document focused on skills, recent experience, and results, commonly used in the United States. A CV is a longer, more detailed document that includes full work history, licenses, and training, commonly used in the UK and some international roles.
The difference is not just length. It is about purpose.
Resume
Short and focused
Built for fast hiring decisions
Highlights recent experience and results
Optimized for ATS systems
Common in USA and Canada
You should use a resume if:
The job is based in the United States
The posting says “resume”
You are applying to carriers, logistics companies, or fleets
The application is online or ATS-based
You need to apply quickly to multiple jobs
Recruiter insight:
Most US trucking recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning resumes. They look for CDL class, safety record, and recent driving experience immediately.
You should use a CV if:
A strong owner operator truck driver resume in the US should include:
Header with name, phone, email, location, CDL class
Short professional summary
Skills section with keywords
Experience with bullet points and results
Licenses and endorsements
Certifications and training
Education
Detailed and structured
Shows full career history
Includes training and compliance knowledge
Focuses on qualifications and licenses
Common in UK and Australia
The job is in the UK or Australia
The role is labeled HGV driver, owner driver, or transport contractor
The employer expects detailed experience
The role emphasizes training and compliance
Hiring insight:
UK transport companies often want to see full experience, certifications, and compliance knowledge like tachograph use and Driver CPC.
Header
John Smith
Dallas, TX
CDL Class A
Phone | Email
Summary
Owner operator truck driver with 8+ years of experience hauling dry van and flatbed freight across regional and long-haul routes. Strong safety record and on-time delivery performance.
Skills
CDL Class A driving
Load securement
Route planning
ELD systems
DOT compliance
Freight handling
Experience
Owner Operator Truck Driver
2018 – Present
Drove semi truck on regional and long-haul routes
Delivered freight on time with 98% on-time rate
Maintained clean safety record with zero accidents
Managed own schedule and route planning
Secured loads using straps and chains
Licenses & Certifications
CDL Class A
Hazmat Endorsement
Tanker Endorsement
Short and easy to scan
Uses clear action words like drove, delivered, maintained
Focuses on results like safety and on-time delivery
Includes keywords recruiters search for
A CV for owner operator truck drivers is more detailed and includes:
Personal details
Professional profile
Key skills
Full work history
Licenses and training
Education
Personal Details
John Smith
Location | Phone | Email
Professional Profile
Experienced owner operator driver with over 10 years of HGV driving experience. Skilled in long-distance transport, load security, and compliance with UK transport regulations.
Key Skills
HGV driving
Tachograph operation
Driver CPC compliance
Route planning
Load safety
Work History
Owner Operator Driver
2015 – Present
Transported goods across regional and national routes
Maintained compliance with tachograph and safety rules
Completed daily vehicle checks and maintenance
Managed delivery schedules and documentation
Licenses & Training
HGV Licence
Driver CPC
Digital Tachograph Certification
Shows full career history
Includes compliance knowledge
Highlights training and certifications
Provides more detail than a resume
They scan for:
CDL class
Driving experience (recent)
Freight type
Safety record
On-time delivery
They do NOT want long explanations.
They look for:
Full work history
Training and certifications
Compliance knowledge
Vehicle types driven
They expect more detail.
1–2 pages
Skills and results focused
Built for fast applications
Strong keywords for ATS
Common in USA
2+ pages
Detailed and structured
Full work history
Training and compliance included
Common in UK
Owner operators are not just drivers. They also manage business tasks.
Truck ownership or lease details
Maintenance responsibilities
Freight coordination
Client or broker communication
Scheduling and route planning
Resume version
Keep it short
Focus on results
Highlight efficiency and performance
CV version
Add more detail
Include business operations
Explain responsibilities more fully
This is a major mistake.
Too long
Too detailed
Not optimized for ATS
Recruiters skip it
Not enough detail
Missing training info
Looks incomplete
Avoid combining styles.
Weak Example
Long document with no structure, too many details, no results.
Good Example
Clear resume for US jobs OR detailed CV for UK jobs.
If you’re unsure, use this checklist:
Job is in USA
Posting says “resume”
You need fast hiring
You apply online
Job is in UK or Australia
Posting says “CV”
Role requires detailed background
Training and compliance matter
A US logistics company receives 150+ applications for one owner operator role.
What happens:
Recruiter scans resumes in seconds
Looks for CDL, experience, safety
Skips long or unclear documents
A UK transport company reviewing CVs:
Reviews experience in detail
Checks training and certifications
Evaluates compliance knowledge
Conclusion:
The format directly affects how your application is judged.
Use clear, everyday trucking words:
Drove
Delivered
Hauled
Checked
Secured
Maintained
Always include:
What you drove
What you hauled
Where you drove
Results (safety, timing, efficiency)
Short sentences
Clear sections
Bullet points
Clear format based on country
Simple language
Results-driven experience
Relevant keywords
Overcomplicated wording
Mixing CV and resume styles
Long paragraphs
Missing key details like CDL or licenses
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