Automatically apply for jobs with Zippia

Upload your resume to get started.

Semi truck driver skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted expert

Martin Garsee

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical semi truck driver skills. We ranked the top skills for semi truck drivers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 42.3% of semi truck driver resumes contained cdl as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a semi truck driver needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 semi truck driver skills for your resume and career

1. CDL

Here's how semi truck drivers use cdl:

Obtained My class A CDL License received 240 training hours at the school location.
Maintain Class-A CDL, Meet all state and federal DOT regulations.

2. DOT

Here's how semi truck drivers use dot:

Calculated Wisconsin DOT logging data accurately utilizing loose leaf method.
Maintain logs for times worked and times or rest according to CFR 40-41 and DOT standards.

3. Log Book

Here's how semi truck drivers use log book:

Maintain electronic log book and paper logs in the event of electronic fail.
Maintain log books and maintenance of tractor.

4. Asphalt

Here's how semi truck drivers use asphalt:

Delivered asphalt and sand to road paving crews all over N. Florida and South Georgia.
Transported Hot Asphalt to Construction Sites

5. OTR

Here's how semi truck drivers use otr:

Experience with OTR, Dedicated, & Refrigerated Routes
Milk Tankers including farm pick ups and OTR deliveries

6. Food Products

Food products are the types of various food items that are created and processed to be sold as a product. These products are consumed by humans for nourishment and are mostly processed and created in a huge factory. Tinned goods, milk, meat, etc are the most common food products, and they are not limited to any specific kind except tobacco, beers, and alcohol as they are not considered food products.

Here's how semi truck drivers use food products:

Deliver various food products to stores, restaurants, golf courses, and other food distributors.
Operated semi and hauled unfinished and finished food products from plant to plant.

Choose from 10+ customizable semi truck driver resume templates

Build a professional semi truck 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 semi truck driver resume.

7. Post-Trip Inspections

Here's how semi truck drivers use post-trip inspections:

Performed daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections using company checklist and submitted detailed information after trips and deliveries.
Identified any problems with the truck or trailer by executing the proper pre-trip and post-trip inspections.

8. 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 semi truck drivers use hazmat:

Experienced in handling of high value and HazMat materials, including securement and placarding.
Maintained HAZMAT designation which required successful completion of background investigation conducted by Federal Bureau of Investigations.

9. Tractor-Trailer Combination

Here's how semi truck drivers use tractor-trailer combination:

Operated a tractor-trailer combination in urban, suburban and rural enviroments and in all types of weather conditions.
Operate various tractor-trailer combinations between company terminals and customer facilities or work sites within the terminal's geographic service area.

10. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how semi truck drivers use safety procedures:

Followed appropriate safety procedures to transport cargo, maintained logs of vehicle repair status, and working hours.
Loaded and Off-Loaded product using hoses,fittings and proper safety procedures.

11. 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 semi truck drivers use federal regulations:

Adhered to state and Federal regulations.
Managed hours of service on Department of Transportation approved electronic equipment according to the state and federal regulations.

12. Safety Regulations

Here's how semi truck drivers use safety regulations:

Completed all paper work and safety regulations needed for each load of merchandise for each customer.
Check loads to ensure they are secured according to safety regulations.

13. Pre-Trip Inspections

Here's how semi truck drivers use pre-trip inspections:

Performed pre-trip inspections, kept logs and filled out appropriate paperwork for customer bills.
Performed daily Pre-Trip Inspections and final inspections on units upon delivery.

14. Unload Trucks

Unload trucks is an activity that is undertaken to remove items that have been carried on a truck. It could be raw materials, work-in-stock or finished products. Unloading a truck may require people and some equipment that may help unload items that are too heavy or dangerous for humans to handle.

Here's how semi truck drivers use unload trucks:

Pick up and deliver materials Majority of Flatbed work Local and Regional Areas Operate forklifts Load and unload trucks
Unload trucks and replenish stock/hi-lo certified* Customer service and general maintenance duties

15. Traffic Laws

Traffic laws are laws that contain a wide range of legal regulations that govern traffic and regulate vehicles. Laws are passed to keep the roads safe and regulate the flow of traffic in good time. Traffic laws include, but are not limited to, speed limit laws, impaired driving laws, insurance laws, and parking laws.

Here's how semi truck drivers use traffic laws:

Monitor road conditions and watch for traffic congestion; Follow all applicable traffic laws.
Maintain proper vehicle log and cargo documentation Obey all traffic laws and followed established transportation procedures

5 Semi Truck Driver resume examples

Build a professional semi truck driver resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 5+ resume templates to create your semi truck driver resume.

Create my resume

Build a professional resume in minutes using this template.

What skills help Semi Truck 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 semi truck drivers need?

Martin Garsee

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?

List of semi truck driver skills to add to your resume

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

CDL
DOT
Log Book
Asphalt
OTR
Food Products
Post-Trip Inspections
Hazmat
Tractor-Trailer Combination
Safety Procedures
Federal Regulations
Safety Regulations
Pre-Trip Inspections
Unload Trucks

Traffic Laws
GPS
State Regulations
Emergency Equipment
Hazardous Materials
Straight Truck
RAN
Vehicle Service
Mile Radius
Foot Trailer
Commercial Vehicles
Vehicle Inspections
CB
Driver Logs

Farm Equipment
Traffic Violations
East Coast
Electronic Logs
Maintenance Checks
Landing Gear
Truck Maintenance
LTL
Dangerous Goods
Vehicle Logs
Uncouple Trailers
Dry Goods
Qualcomm

Updated January 8, 2025

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