Truck Driver CV Example & Writing Guide

Truck driver CV summary example: eyes on the road

Every CV needs a CV summary — sometimes called a profile or personal statement — where job applicants describe themselves in their own words. Use this as your “elevator pitch” to prospective employers (imagine “selling” your professional image in about 30-45 seconds to a stranger), using confident and assertive language to describe your qualifications and skills. This should be a well-written description of all the reasons you would be a great hire. It doesn’t need to be in complete sentences — for example, you can leave out words like “I am” or “I have.”

ATS: The CV auto-filter

Heaps of hiring managers today use an applicant tracking system (ATS) in which a computer program reviews all CVs before they do. These systems look for specific keywords input by the employer that reflect critical job skills required. CVs that pass the ATS test get the green light for review by hiring managers, but those that don’t may be stopped dead in their tracks before a human even reads them. To “beat the ’bot,” do some research first. Study your target employer, scour its website and read the job description for the position you want. If it says, for example, “seeking long-haul truckies,” and that’s exactly what you are, it would probably be a mistake not to include the words “long-haul” in your CV.

CV employment history sample: the long and winding road

If you have a long, solid history of truck-driving experience, you have a huge advantage. But even if your work experience is a bit thin, there are ways around this! List the most relevant jobs you’ve held in reverse chronological order, naming the company, the location and the dates you worked there. Then under each employer, do a little boasting about what a stellar job you did there. Use choice action verbs to describe your accomplishments, and be as specific as possible.

Truck drivers usually keep detailed logs of all their deliveries and the number of miles driven for each one. If possible, scour this info, compile totals and report them on CV. If you can say how many deliveries you made, how many kilometres you drove and/or how many tons of cargo you delivered, even better! Facts and figures are always the most convincing data to provide in descriptions of past jobs, especially if they outline your achievements or milestones. The geographical range of your driving experience (“from Bluff to Cape Reinga”) may also be a plus. And if you’ve never had an accident or never received a ticket, that may be worth mentioning too.

Truck driver CV education example: on the road already

One great attraction of a truck-driving career is the freedom to go to work without advanced qualifications. Oftentimes, just a few months of specialised training can do the trick!

A new hire typically undergoes a period of on-the-job training, during which he or she drives a truck with a supervisor in the passenger seat. This helps to get new employees used to the type of truck they’re driving and/or stuff they’re transporting.

The education section of truck drivers’ CV should include any qualifications you have, listed 

in reverse chronological order. If you need help, check out the example below: 

CV skills example: steady hands on the wheel

Your CV should include a list of key skills that make you a choice truckie. Obviously, these are professionals who need to be excellent drivers, expert in navigating a large vehicle in all kinds of conditions and terrains. They should have a stellar driving record, respect for the written and unwritten rules of the roads, and skills in driving defensively to avoid accidents. They must be meticulous about updating their logbooks, skilled at planning their routes, and professional in their contacts with shippers and receivers. Sometimes they gotta load or unload their cargo, and they need the stamina and alertness to remain on point for many hours on the road.