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Tractor-trailer driver skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Martin Garsee

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tractor-trailer driver skills. We ranked the top skills for tractor-trailer drivers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 38.3% of tractor-trailer driver resumes contained dot as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tractor-trailer driver needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 tractor-trailer driver skills for your resume and career

1. DOT

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use dot:

Transported freight to companies nightly Provided professional customer service Completed all required DOT documents for assigned shift
Maintained driver log according to DOT regulations and guidelines

2. CDL

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use cdl:

Maintained CDL Class A License, kept accurate time logs, and followed State and Federal Trucking Regulations.
Certified Class A CDL Spread Axle Flatbed Operator, Over the road certification with Hazardous Material endorsement.

3. OTR

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use otr:

Know and understand Department of Transportation rules and regulation pertaining to the OTR Driver, equipment and cargo.
Salt Lake City, UT Position: Class A OTR Semi Tractor Trailer Driver

4. 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 tractor-trailer drivers use customer service:

Foster relationships with store management and personnel and provide superior customer service.
Provided strong professional customer service when interacting with shipping & receiving associates.

5. Post-Trip Inspections

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use post-trip inspections:

Performed daily pre-and post-trip inspections on equipment.
Performed daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections of equipment for proper performance of vehicle.

6. Vehicle Inspections

Vehicle inspection refers to the checking of vehicles in terms of safety measure standards.

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use vehicle inspections:

Conducted daily commercial vehicle inspections with completion of necessary repairs to vehicle to assure operational safety.
Utilized a vehicle inspection sheet daily to warehouse management and notify management of any defects.

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7. 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 tractor-trailer drivers use hazmat:

Operated trucks with a capacity of up to 30 tons including Line Haul, Tanker, HAZMAT vehicles as required.
Verified security and condition of cargo, truck, while employing industry standard HAZMAT procedures.

8. Pallet Jack

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use pallet jack:

Perform freight handling duties utilizing motorized forklift and manual pallet jack/handcart.
Load and unload tractor trailer using forklift, reach truck, electric and manual pallet jacks and any other necessary equipment.

9. Commercial Vehicles

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use commercial vehicles:

Clean MVR, 19 yrs experience driving of commercial vehicles.
Use of tractor and Landall trailer to move equipment and various types of disabled commercial vehicles safely.3.

10. Delivery Schedules

Delivery schedules are general agreements between a buyer and provider that schedule when and how often a delivery will be made. Depending on the products and how much is being sold, a buyer may have more control over the delivery schedule. While the frequency of deliveries may change, the merchandise volume is typically consistent.

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use delivery schedules:

Maintained requests for truck maintenance, delivery schedules, and customer issues to keep management informed of delivery operations.
Coordinated daily delivery schedules based on customer schedules, peak delivery times, and alternate routes.

11. Tractor-Trailer Combination

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

Operated gasoline and diesel-powered, tractor-trailer combinations to deliver products and materials in liquid and packaged form.
Drive trucks with tractor-trailer combinations, to transport and deliver products, or other materials.

12. Vehicle Service

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use vehicle service:

Maintain vehicle service, fueling and delivery records updates on respective inventories.
Maintain logs of working hours or of vehicle service or repair status, following applicable state and federal regulations.

13. Safety Regulations

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use safety regulations:

Deliver products to its destination without damages while being in compliance with safety regulations under the Department of Transportation requirements
Performed preventative maintenance checks as required and follow all applicable safety regulations and practices.

14. FMCSA

Here's how tractor-trailer drivers use fmcsa:

Followed all rules and regulations pertaining to hours of service under the FMCSA.
Train new drivers in accordance with FMCSA regulations

15. 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 tractor-trailer drivers use safety procedures:

Followed appropriate safety procedures for transporting hazardous materials per CSA standards prescribe by the federal government.
Follow safety procedures and federal and state regulations when transporting cargo and/or hazardous materials.

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What skills help Tractor-Trailer 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 tractor-trailer 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 tractor-trailer driver skills to add to your resume

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

DOT
CDL
OTR
Customer Service
Post-Trip Inspections
Vehicle Inspections
Hazmat
Pallet Jack
Commercial Vehicles
Delivery Schedules
Tractor-Trailer Combination
Vehicle Service
Safety Regulations
FMCSA
Safety Procedures
Log Book
GPS

State Regulations
Federal Regulations
Traffic Laws
Hazardous Materials
Pre-Trip Inspections
Customer Locations
Tractor-Trailer Truck
Driver Logs
Emergency Equipment
Building Materials
Traffic Violations
Safety Inspections
Food Products
GVW
Drive Trucks
Local Deliveries
Distribution Centers

LTL
Alertness
Electrical Lines
CB
Unload Trucks
Dangerous Goods
Landing Gear
Electronic Logs
Radiator Fluid
Qualcomm
Dollies
Dry Goods
General Freight
Frozen Food
Truck Cab Computers

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

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