Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResume

Skills

What They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob OutlookComparePart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobs
zippia ai icon

Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Over the road driver skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Martin Garsee
Over the road driver example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical over the road driver skills. We ranked the top skills for over the road drivers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 34.3% of over the road driver resumes contained cdl as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills an over the road driver needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 over the road driver skills for your resume and career

1. CDL

Here's how over the road drivers use cdl:
  • Maintained current Class A CDL with Hazardous Materials endorsement along with daily, legible DOT log books and corresponding documents.
  • Meet all federal and state requirements for certification and CDL licensing for class A vehicle with air brakes.

2. PET

Here's how over the road drivers use pet:
  • Hauled Pet Feed, Landscaping Supplies Until My Physical Expired And Dr Refused To Renew.
  • Traveled across the nation delivering tankers of pet supplies to destinations such as Georgia, Ohio, Tennessee, and South Carolina

3. Post-Trip Inspections

Here's how over the road drivers use post-trip inspections:
  • Performed Pre-Trip and Post-Trip Inspections on tractor-trailer in accordance to DOT regulations.
  • Do Pre-Trip inspections, unload trucks and do Post-Trip inspections.

4. 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 over the road drivers use hazmat:
  • Conducted training for the Northwest region as a Coach specializing in HAZMAT, Dock Transport as well as Yard Truck Instructor.
  • Picked up, transported and delivered various freight (mostly HazMat) across the 48 states.

5. 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 over the road drivers use customer service:
  • Provided customer service in continental United States by delivering refrigerated foods and beverages, showing persistence and dedication to my position.
  • Deliver assigned load safely and efficiently Display excellent customer service skills Comply with DOT regulations Maintain logs

6. Federal Regulations

Federal regulations refer to the set of rules, both general and permanent that are published in the Federal Register by the agencies of the federal government and the executive departments. Federal regulations are the large body of rules that govern federal practice. Examples of these laws include taxes and financial regulation, discrimination law, wages law, and so on.

Here's how over the road drivers use federal regulations:
  • Maintained daily vehicle logs in accordance with federal regulations and reported any mechanical problems to company.
  • Transported over dimensional precast concrete components while obeying all safety, state and federal regulations.

Choose from 10+ customizable over the road driver resume templates

Build a professional over the road driver resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your over the road driver resume.

7. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how over the road drivers use hazardous materials:
  • Hooked and unhooked trailers, Transported hazardous materials from customer sites to authorized containment facilities.
  • Freight included General Merchandise, Refrigerated or frozen goods and Hazardous Materials.

8. LTL

Less than truckload freight shipping also called LTL shipping is used for the transportation of goods or products that does not require a full truckload due to the smaller nature of the parcel. LTL shipments are usually arranged on pallets for smaller shipments and can range anywhere from 100 to 5,000 pounds.

Here's how over the road drivers use ltl:
  • Pick up and deliver LTL freight all over Canada and the United States in a safe and timely manner.
  • Deliver LTL freight to all locations throughout the Yakima Valley.

9. DOT Regulations

Here's how over the road drivers use dot regulations:
  • Inspected and operated combination tractor and trailer in accordance with dot regulations.
  • Executed company and DOT regulations and safety precautions during route delivery.

10. Cleanliness

Here's how over the road drivers use cleanliness:
  • Maintained cleanliness of vehicle and completed preventative maintenance.
  • Maintained the cleanliness of the company vehicle as required by your location.

11. Federal Motor

Here's how over the road drivers use federal motor:
  • Operated in compliance with all regulations according to the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Regulations.
  • Complied with all federal motor carrier safety regulations.

12. FMCSA

Here's how over the road drivers use fmcsa:
  • Maintain logs and followed DOT and FMCSA rules and regulations.
  • Operated tractor-trailers in accordance with company and FMCSA guidelines.

13. Safety Regulations

Here's how over the road drivers use safety regulations:
  • Develop open lines of communication with shipping and receiving clients while maintaining federal safety regulations.
  • Maintain excellent performance through adherence to company policy and safety regulations.

14. Electronic Logs

Here's how over the road drivers use electronic logs:
  • Maintained electronic logs and interacted with shippers and receivers.
  • Maintained electronic logs and client/dispatch interfacing.

15. Landing Gear

Here's how over the road drivers use landing gear:
  • Lower the landing gear hook and unhook electric service and emergency air lines.
  • Hook and unhook trailers from tractors including cranking lever to raise and lowerlanding gear.
top-skills

What skills help Over The Road 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 over the road 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.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about over the road driver

List of over the road driver skills to add to your resume

Over the road driver skills

The most important skills for an over the road driver resume and required skills for an over the road driver to have include:

  • CDL
  • PET
  • Post-Trip Inspections
  • Hazmat
  • Customer Service
  • Federal Regulations
  • Hazardous Materials
  • LTL
  • DOT Regulations
  • Cleanliness
  • Federal Motor
  • FMCSA
  • Safety Regulations
  • Electronic Logs
  • Landing Gear
  • Tractor-Trailer Combination
  • Safety Inspections
  • Semi
  • Unload Freight
  • Commodities
  • Customer Relations
  • Dollies
  • Vehicle Service
  • Log Book
  • BOL
  • GPS
  • Vehicle Inspections
  • Traffic Violations
  • Pre-Trip Inspections
  • Distribution Centers
  • Refrigerated Trailers
  • Necessary Paperwork
  • Alertness
  • Customer Locations
  • Qualcomm
  • Pallet Jack
  • Delivery Schedules
  • State Regulations
  • Emergency Equipment
  • Traffic Laws
  • CB
  • Trip Planning
  • Driver Logs
  • Electrical Lines
  • Transport Freight
  • Paper Logs
  • Tire Chains
  • Dry Goods
  • Safety Procedures

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.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse transportation jobs