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Vehicle operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical vehicle operator skills. We ranked the top skills for vehicle operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 24.8% of vehicle operator resumes contained cdl as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a vehicle operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 vehicle operator skills for your resume and career

1. CDL

Here's how vehicle operators use cdl:

Required License: Class B CDL with Passenger endorsement
Operated several types of military trucks that required a CDL A license with haz-mat, doubles, and tanker endorsements.

2. Tractor Trailer

Here's how vehicle operators use tractor trailer:

Developed and provided training to local nationals on Tractor Trailer operations in Somalia.
Operated forklifts and tractor trailers to safely accomplish cargo movements.

3. Safety Regulations

Here's how vehicle operators use safety regulations:

Operated a commercial vehicle in accordance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations.
Conduct daily DOT inspections according to safety regulations.

4. Cleanliness

Here's how vehicle operators use cleanliness:

Maintain in-route cleanliness of vehicle-basic customer debris removal Provide excellent customer service to customers including maintaining a friendly and professional demeanor
Maintained accountability and cleanliness of all vehicles and equipment.

5. Routine Maintenance

Here's how vehicle operators use routine maintenance:

Conducted routine maintenance on assigned equipment to maintain operational readiness.
Maintained NC Correctional Institute for Women's motor pool for routine maintenance, logistical pick-up, and delivery of vehicles.

6. Forklifts

Forklifts refer to a powerful industrial truck used to move and lift materials over short distances.

Here's how vehicle operators use forklifts:

Operated various vehicles within the warehouse facilities including Forklifts.
Operated forklifts in warehouse and flight-line environments without accidents.

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7. Combat

Combat is a violent conflict between two parties. Combat can be held by using weapons or unarmed. The fighting between the armed forces of different countries can also be called combat and the main purpose of the combat is to eliminate and stop your opponent from achieving their goal.

Here's how vehicle operators use combat:

Received and implemented combat orders and directed deployment of personnel and fire support in offensive, defensive and retrograde operations.
Utilized positive risk management integration into combat operations during a 15 month deployment while maintaining an extremely high tempo.

8. Preventative Maintenance

Here's how vehicle operators use preventative maintenance:

Identified electrical and mechanical problems and determined corrective actions and reports as well as performed routine preventative maintenance checks and services.
Participated in crew level preventative maintenance on the ground control station, tactical automated landing system and communications equipment.

9. GPS

GPS stands from Global Positioning System. It is a navigation system comprising of satellites that helps in determining the location, velocity, and synchronize time data for different modes of travel like air, sea, or land.

Here's how vehicle operators use gps:

Operated GPS and automatic vehicle locator technology.
Utilized a GPS navigation system, street maps, and self-knowledge of areas to maneuver through routes efficiently.

10. UAS

Here's how vehicle operators use uas:

Developed test procedures, emergency procedures and technical documentation for system Hunter UAS.
Performed Operations as the Air Vehicle Operator and Mission Payload Operator for the RQ-7B UAS system totaling over 1000+ hours.

11. Vehicle Inspections

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

Here's how vehicle operators use vehicle inspections:

Perform safety and preparation inspections, prepare documentation of vehicle inspections.
Coordinated vehicle inspections, maintenance, and recovery for top-notch operations.

12. Logistical Support

Here's how vehicle operators use logistical support:

Possessed strategic knowledge of the organizational functions involved in logistical support and proficiently coordinated the efforts of functional specialists.
Managed support agreements and transportation requirements while supervising, leading, and providing logistical support to the organization.

13. PLS

Professional Land Surveyor (PLS) is an authorized professional who administers land surveys to measure and establish a real property and its borders. It involves examining and making plots of the survey, ALTA surveys, certified survey maps, easement exhibits, etc. It may also review construction projects and prepare layout data for field crews.

Here's how vehicle operators use pls:

Operated HEMTT, HET, PLS, LHS, FMTV, and HMMWV in the US Army's LBE program.
Conducted the Palletized Loading System (PLS) vehicles.

14. 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 vehicle operators use safety rules:

Complied with company and federal safety rules, policies and procedures to include wearing required safety equipment.
Train other personnel on best practices and procedures; ensure safety rules and regulations are met.

15. 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 vehicle operators use hazmat:

Corrected HAZMAT program; Program overhaul resulted in an excellent rating by the 20th Fighter Wing safety group.
Finished HAZMAT Training able to fuel and properly clean up any waste spills and handle any HAZMAT.

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What skills help Vehicle Operators find jobs?

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List of vehicle operator skills to add to your resume

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

CDL
Tractor Trailer
Safety Regulations
Cleanliness
Routine Maintenance
Forklifts
Combat
Preventative Maintenance
GPS
UAS
Vehicle Inspections
Logistical Support
PLS
Safety Rules
Hazmat

Hazardous Materials
Motor Vehicle
Vehicle Maintenance
Vehicle Fleet
Commercial Vehicles
UAV
Operator Maintenance
Transportation Services
Dispatch Operations
Passenger Bus
Air Vehicle
Direct Support
Ammunition
PMCS
Communications Equipment

Tie Downs
Hoists
Vehicle Deficiencies
Aerial Vehicle
MHE
Dollies
Government Vehicles
Performance Standards
Technical Guidance
Sweepers
Bulldozers
NCO
HET
Flight Line

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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