When it comes to writing a Truck Driver CV, there are a few things you should remember to do to make a good first impression. Make sure you read our writing tips to get an idea of CV writing best practices, and make sure you understand the job description before applying for the role.
You’ll first:
1. Start with a strong personal statement to outline the skills and experience you have that make you a good fit for the job.
2. Follow with your work experience, listing previous roles in reverse chronological order.
3. Include a section for key skills and qualifications relevant to a Truck Driver role.
4. You can also boost your CV with hobbies, interests, and references.
Make sure you read our writing tips to get an idea of CV writing best practices, and make sure you understand the job description before applying for the role.
How to Write a Personal Statement for a Truck Driver
Your personal statement is the first thing an employer will read, so it will need to make a strong first impression. Don’t make your statement too long, as an employer will read a lot of CVs while looking for the perfect candidate, so stay around 150 words or less.
Only include important information that is relevant to the job; this includes any experience and relevant skills you have.
Truck Driver Personal Statement Example
“As a Delivery Driver, I have excellent navigational and time management skills for making on-time deliveries and finding alternate routes when necessary. I have extensive driving experience across all weather conditions, and I am diligent when it comes to road safety.
I learned how to maintain my vehicle to a good standard by checking it before each shift to make sure there were no problems with oil levels, tyre pressure, or any other basic maintenance needs. I would always notify dispatch of any issues I ran into while on the job, and I took initiative to find the best course of action to fulfil my duties.
My four years of experience have boosted my driving capabilities, and I believe I can take these skills and use them to their fullest within your company.”
Ideal Work Experience for a Truck Driver CV
Some positions may expect a certain level of work experience from the perfect candidate, to show that they have had time to develop their skills. If you have the right experience for the job, be sure to detail the work and the skills you acquired.
Which Jobs to Include
Any previous driving job experience will boost the desirability of your CV, as employers want to know that you will be safe on the roads. It is also important to understand vehicle maintenance, which can stem from driving and mechanic jobs.
When writing about the jobs you’ve had, make sure they’re relevant. You only need to write about 5-6 positions and list the skills you gained from them with bullet points.
Truck Driver CV Work Experience Example
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Delivery Driver at [company name] from [start date] to [end date]
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As a Delivery Driver, I was skilled at using navigational software to create routes that would allow me to make deliveries quickly and efficiently. This helped me hit my daily quotas, which often earned praise from my manager.
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I would regularly check my vehicle to make sure it was safe to drive before starting my shift. If there were any major issues while making deliveries, I would always call dispatch to explain the situation.
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Being caught in traffic or experiencing other issues while on the road could be stressful, but I learned how to stay calm and focused under pressure, which helped me find alternate routes to make timely deliveries.
Key Skills & Qualifications for a Truck Driver CV
Any job you apply for will need specific skills and sometimes qualifications. Read the job descriptions carefully, and make sure you have relevant skills before applying.
Important Skills for a Truck Driver
A Truck Driver needs strong driving skills to be successful at their job. You will be driving in all weather conditions, and you’ll need to know and understand road safety. Mechanical knowledge is important for performing basic maintenance and addressing minor mechanical issues.
Other important skills will include navigational skills for reading maps and using GPS, problem-solving skills, stress management, and communication skills.
Qualifications Needed to Be a Truck Driver
There are no formal qualification requirements for a Truck Driver job, but you will need a full UK driving licence and to pass a Driver CPC, including a medical examination, theory test, and practical on-road tests.
You will also need to be over 18 years of age, and it is preferable to have a clean driving record.
Additional Content to Boost Your Truck Driver CV
If you have hobbies that helped you develop soft skills, or you want to add any references, it’s best to do so at the end of your CV. This information will help an employer learn more about you.
Hobbies & Interests
Your hobbies or interests should help you develop relevant skills. Think about what skills you have, and how having hobbies might have helped you. For example, having an interest in cars or mechanical engineering may have helped you learn more about vehicle maintenance. If you fix cars in your spare time, you might do so with a friend or family member, which would increase your communication skills.
References
Sometimes you might want to add one or two references to your CV. A reference is someone who holds a higher position in the company you worked for, such as a manager or a line manager. They should be able to speak about your demeanour at work in a positive way to give an employer a better impression of you.
How to Make a Truck Driver CV Stand Out
To make your CV stand out, make sure it’s tailored to the job you’re applying for, which means including only information that will be useful for the role. Split this information into sections; this way, you can go into more detail about your skills by using bullet points to make your CV easier to read.
Write about any times you had to use your skills to deal with specific situations. For example, if you had to deal with unexpected delays and use your initiative to find alternative routes. Writing about experiences that made you use your skills to their fullest will let an employer know that you are capable of dealing with stressful situations.
Mistakes to Avoid
It is common to think that an employer needs to know everything about you, and that it all needs to fit into your CV. This can be detrimental to your application if you bury important points within paragraphs of irrelevant information. Keep your sections brief and limit what you write, so that you don’t overwhelm your CV.
Truck Driver CV Examples
Once you’re ready to write your CV, you can download one of our CV templates to guide you through the writing process. Our templates are free, and they will help you create a layout that will make your CV look professional.
