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Use professional field-tested resume templates that follow the exact CV rules employers look for.
Create CVIf you’re applying for truck driving jobs in the U.S., you almost always need a resume, not a CV. A truck driver resume is a short, focused 1-page document that highlights your driving experience, CDL credentials, safety record, and key skills. A CV, on the other hand, is longer and more detailed, typically used in academic or international job markets. Choosing the wrong format can immediately hurt your chances, so understanding the difference is critical before you apply.
This guide breaks down exactly when to use each, what employers expect, and gives you practical truck driver CV and resume examples you can model.
Hiring managers in the trucking industry are not looking for long documents. They scan quickly for:
Valid CDL and endorsements
Years of driving experience
Accident and safety history
Types of trucks and routes handled
Reliability and delivery performance
Anything beyond that is secondary. That’s why the resume format dominates in U.S. trucking jobs.
A CV simply provides too much detail for how these roles are evaluated.
The difference comes down to length, purpose, and context.
A truck driver resume is:
1 page (sometimes 2 max for senior drivers)
Focused on job-relevant experience
Tailored to a specific job
Designed for fast scanning
It answers one question:
“Can you do this driving job safely and reliably?”
A truck driver CV is:
2 to 4+ pages
There are only a few specific situations where a CV makes sense:
Some countries expect CVs by default. If you’re applying to trucking roles in Europe, for example, you may need a CV format.
If you’re transitioning into:
CDL instructor positions
Safety trainer roles
Transportation program teaching
A CV can help show your full background and qualifications.
If you have a long career with multiple certifications, roles, and achievements, a CV might help capture that depth. Even then, many employers still prefer a condensed resume.
For standard driver roles, this is the exception, not the rule.
Highly detailed and chronological
Includes full work history, certifications, and sometimes training or publications
Not tailored to a specific role
It answers a different question:
“What is your complete professional background?”
That’s why CVs are typically used in:
Academic roles
Research or training positions
Some international job markets (like the UK or EU)
For most U.S. truck driving jobs, submitting a CV instead of a resume makes you look out of touch with industry expectations.
Truck driving hiring is fast-paced. Recruiters often review dozens or hundreds of applicants quickly.
A resume works better because:
It highlights only relevant experience
It’s easier to scan in 10–15 seconds
It fits ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) better
It aligns with industry hiring habits
A CV forces the recruiter to dig through unnecessary details, which works against you.
Here’s exactly how to structure a strong truck driver resume.
Include:
Full name
Phone number
Location (city and state)
Keep it simple and professional.
This is your quick pitch.
Good Example:
Experienced CDL-A truck driver with 8+ years of OTR and regional hauling. Clean driving record, strong safety compliance, and consistent on-time deliveries.
Weak Example:
Hardworking individual looking for a trucking job.
Focus only on relevant skills:
CDL Class A (or B)
Endorsements (Hazmat, Tanker, Doubles/Triples)
Route planning
DOT compliance
Vehicle inspection
Load securement
Avoid generic skills like “team player.”
List your experience in reverse chronological order.
Include:
Company name
Job title
Dates
Key responsibilities and achievements
Good Example:
Truck Driver
ABC Logistics
2020 – Present
Delivered freight across 15+ states with 98% on-time rate
Maintained zero accidents over 250,000+ miles
Completed daily vehicle inspections and DOT compliance logs
Focus on results and safety, not just duties.
This is critical.
Include:
CDL type
Endorsements
Medical certification
Relevant training
Keep it simple:
High school diploma or GED
Any relevant training programs
Professional Summary
CDL-A truck driver with 10+ years of OTR experience. Proven safety record, 1 million accident-free miles, and strong knowledge of DOT regulations.
Skills
CDL Class A
Hazmat & Tanker Endorsements
Defensive Driving
Route Optimization
Load Securement
Experience
Senior Truck Driver
XYZ Freight | 2018 – Present
Delivered goods across 48 states with 99% on-time performance
Maintained zero violations during DOT inspections
Reduced fuel costs by optimizing route planning
Truck Driver
Logistics Co. | 2014 – 2018
Completed regional deliveries with consistent safety compliance
Logged 500,000+ accident-free miles
Licenses
CDL Class A with Hazmat and Tanker Endorsements
Education
High School Diploma
If you truly need a CV, here’s how it differs.
A CV includes:
Full employment history (no trimming)
Detailed descriptions of each role
Certifications with full explanations
Training programs and coursework
Additional sections like awards or publications
It is not optimized for quick reading.
Professional Profile
Experienced commercial driver with over 15 years in long-haul and regional transportation, specializing in hazardous materials and tanker operations.
Work Experience
Detailed breakdown of every role, including:
Responsibilities
Equipment used
Routes covered
Training involvement
Certifications
Expanded descriptions of:
CDL
Specialized training
Safety programs completed
Additional Sections
Awards
Training delivered
Professional affiliations
This format is more comprehensive but less efficient for job applications.
Short, targeted resume
Clear safety record
Quantified experience (miles, deliveries, performance)
Relevant certifications front and center
Overly long documents
Listing every job from 20+ years ago
Including irrelevant experience
Writing paragraphs instead of bullet points
Using a CV when a resume is expected
The biggest mistake is thinking more detail = better. In trucking, clarity beats detail.
This immediately signals misunderstanding of hiring expectations.
Long descriptions bury your strongest qualifications.
Saying “responsible for deliveries” is weak. Show outcomes.
If your CDL or endorsements aren’t obvious, you lose attention fast.
Different jobs may prioritize:
OTR vs local experience
Specific equipment
Specialized endorsements
Adjust accordingly.
Use this quick decision framework:
Choose a resume if:
You’re applying for truck driving jobs in the U.S.
You want to get hired quickly
You’re applying to logistics companies or carriers
Choose a CV only if:
The job explicitly asks for it
You’re applying internationally
You’re moving into training or academic roles
When in doubt, use a resume.
Hiring managers often scan resumes in seconds. To stand out:
If you have:
Clean driving record → highlight it
High mileage experience → quantify it
Specialized endorsements → feature them early
Numbers build credibility:
“500,000 accident-free miles”
“98% on-time delivery rate”
“Reduced fuel costs by 12%”
Avoid:
Fancy designs
Multiple fonts
Unnecessary graphics
Simple formatting wins in this industry.
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