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Driver skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted Expert
Martin Garsee
Driver Example Skills

One of the most important hard skills a driver can possess is consistently obeying traffic laws and following safety rules because driving can be a potentially dangerous activity and great caution is needed when operating vehicles. It's also important for drivers to have the ability to drive in many different weather conditions. They may also need a valid commercial driver's license or CDL depending on the industry.


When it comes to soft skills, drivers should have strong safety and precautionary skills above all else. Drivers need to ensure whatever they are transporting arrives on time, so time-keeping skills are also crucial.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical driver skills. We ranked the top skills for drivers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.8% of driver resumes contained math as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a driver needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 driver skills for your resume and career

1. Math

Here's how drivers use math:
  • Tape measures, power tools, manual labor, basic math, common sense and a strong work ethic.
  • Performed basic math sufficient to process axle weights at shipping docks.

2. Basic Math

Here's how drivers use basic math:
  • Sound ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, balance and reconcile figures, punctuate properly, spell correctly and transcribe accurately.
  • Measure completed pavement markings using basic mathematical calculations.

3. CDL

Here's how drivers use cdl:
  • Maintain Class A CDL license by using safe driving habits and routing prompt deliveries to various location across the United States.
  • License: CDL Class B Endorsement{S} P-Passenger {Transit/Coach}/Air Brakes Valid updated medical card.

4. Safety Rules

Principles or regulations that ensure the protection of people, objects, or the environment are called safety rules. These rules can be governing actions, devices, or procedures that help in minimizing the risks of loss, injury, or damage.

Here's how drivers use safety rules:
  • Utilized safety practices and procedures following established safety rules and regulations and maintained a safe and clean work environment.
  • Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures and all other company established safety rules.

5. Cleanliness

Here's how drivers use cleanliness:
  • Maintained assigned area by replenishing product slots, controlling damaged goods, and maintaining cleanliness
  • Maintained product freshness and presentation through product rotation and equipment cleanliness and appearances.

6. Customer Orders

Here's how drivers use customer orders:
  • Loaded customer orders into delivery vehicle; delivered floral arrangements to various residential and commercial customers; provided exceptional customer service.
  • Delivered customer orders as quickly as possible while always maintaining a professional and courteous demeanor.

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7. DOT

Here's how drivers use dot:
  • Provide auto parts delivery to assigned customer account while following DOT standards operating a semi-trailer.
  • Possess safety conscious professionalism to uphold DOT regulations.

8. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how drivers use customer service:
  • Delivered extraordinary customer service to Allstate members/customers by ensuring their safety while providing service on the scene.
  • Executed daily operations of residential and commercial routes delivering excellent customer service to residents and businesses.

9. Safety Regulations

Here's how drivers use safety regulations:
  • Completed and maintained accurate record keeping as required in accordance with procedures and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
  • Follow relevant safety regulations and state laws governing vehicle operation and ensure that passengers follow safety regulations.

10. Post-Trip Inspections

Here's how drivers use post-trip inspections:
  • Conduct regularly scheduled maintenance work on company vehicle, completing en-route and post-trip inspections to identify potential issues.
  • Perform per- and post-trip inspections of assigned vehicle using utilizing standard driver vehicle inspection report.

11. Vehicle Maintenance

Here's how drivers use vehicle maintenance:
  • Completed necessary paperwork including daily delivery logs, pick-up and delivery forms and vehicle maintenance logs.
  • Maintained clean, neat and sanitary vehicles, conducted preventative vehicle maintenance procedures according to policy.

12. OTR

Here's how drivers use otr:
  • Drive OTR to designated locations delivered materials to costumers in timely manner
  • Completed Driver Certification Safety Training - OTR

13. Hazmat

Hazmat is a combination of the words ‘hazardous' and ‘material'. The meaning of this word is found in the integration of the aforementioned words -- which is dangerous or toxic material.

Here's how drivers use hazmat:
  • Observed high safety standards including strict federal HazMat regulations.
  • Delivered HAZMAT on local delivery route in Missouri and Illinois Delivered concession supplies Load and unload in/outbound freight.

14. CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation or CPR is a medical procedure that involves chest compression to help a patient breathe. This artificial ventilation helps in keeping the brain function in place and regulates blood throughout the body. CPR is a lifesaving procedure that is used in emergencies.

Here's how drivers use cpr:
  • Attend CPR, first aid and safety training classes in order to ensure the patient's well being while being transported.
  • Subject of special Study: CPR Certified, fork lift, basic computer knowledge, CDL class B holder with N.P

15. Pallet Jack

Here's how drivers use pallet jack:
  • Delivered and properly loaded/unloaded merchandise utilizing handcarts and/or pallet jacks.
  • Offload product where necessary using motorized or manual pallet jacks, ensure the customer receives the correct count and correct product.
top-skills

What skills help Drivers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What type of skills will young Drivers need?

Martin GarseeMartin Garsee LinkedIn Profile

Executive Director, NAPFTDS

To enter the trucking world, a person should have a clean driving record and a clean criminal (not sure if there is a better word) history.
To enter the industry, have obtained a CDL, that in itself requires a "new" set of skills than driving an automobile.
Ability to communicate, you will have to communicate with dispatchers, customers, and other drivers.
Ability to work with minimum supervision.
The trucking industry operates 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and realizes that there is not typically a "set" schedule to work.

List of driver skills to add to your resume

Driver Skills

The most important skills for a driver resume and required skills for a driver to have include:

  • Math
  • Basic Math
  • CDL
  • Safety Rules
  • Cleanliness
  • Customer Orders
  • DOT
  • Customer Service
  • Safety Regulations
  • Post-Trip Inspections
  • Vehicle Maintenance
  • OTR
  • Hazmat
  • CPR
  • Pallet Jack
  • GPS
  • Hazardous Materials
  • Federal Regulations
  • Traffic Laws
  • Mechanical Problems
  • Straight Truck
  • State Regulations
  • Federal Motor
  • Vehicle Inspections
  • Dump Truck
  • Pre-Trip Inspections
  • Tire Pressure
  • Customer Locations
  • Log Book
  • Dollies
  • Medical Appointments
  • Groceries
  • Drive Trucks
  • Customer Complaints
  • Traffic Violations
  • Tractor-Trailer Combination
  • Walkers
  • Landing Gear
  • Transport Passengers
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Traffic Regulations
  • Vehicle Service
  • Golf Courses
  • Unload Trucks
  • Delivery Schedules
  • FedEx
  • Senior Care
  • Scooters

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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