Do I need a CDL to apply for trucking jobs as a veteran?

Yes, for most driving jobs. But many companies offer paid CDL training for veterans. If you do not have your CDL yet, mention that you are eligible for the military skills test waiver and that you are seeking a company that offers CDL training. Some companies will hire you, train you, and put you on the road within a few weeks.

How do I translate military vehicle experience to civilian weight classes?

HMMWV is a light truck or SUV under 10,000 pounds. 2.5-ton trucks are medium-duty vehicles around Class 5 or 6. 5-ton trucks are Class 6 or 7 vehicles. Heavy equipment transporters and tankers are Class 8. If you are unsure, describe the vehicle by what it carried and how much it weighed fully loaded. Fleet managers care about the weight class and cargo type, not the military designation.

Should I list my military driving awards on a trucking resume?

Yes, if they are relevant to safety or performance. A Driver's Badge or safety award demonstrates your track record. Translate the award into civilian terms. Instead of 'Army Driver's Badge,' say 'Military Driver Qualification Badge, awarded for demonstrated proficiency in vehicle operation and safety.'

What if I drove in combat zones? Should I mention that?

You can mention it without making it the focus. Say 'driven in high-stress environments including combat zones' instead of detailing specific operations. The point is that you can handle pressure and difficult conditions. That is a selling point. But do not dwell on the combat aspect. Keep the focus on your driving skills and safety record.

How to Write a Resume for CDL and Trucking Jobs as a Veteran

By GetVetsHired · July 2026 · 5 min read

You have logged thousands of miles behind the wheel. You have driven in conditions most civilian truckers never see. You have maintained vehicles, managed loads, and kept a safety record that would make any fleet manager sit up and take notice. But when you sit down to write a civilian trucking resume, you stare at the screen and realize you do not know how to translate any of it. The vehicles have different names. The certifications are military-specific. The experience is real, but the language is wrong. Here is how to fix that and build a CDL resume that gets you hired.

Your military driving experience is more valuable than you think

Civilian trucking companies are desperate for drivers. The industry is short tens of thousands of drivers and the shortage keeps growing. Veterans are at the top of every fleet manager's hiring wish list. Why? Because you have already proven you can handle a vehicle safely under pressure. You understand maintenance. You follow procedures. You show up on time. You do not quit when the job gets hard. These are not small things in trucking. They are the difference between a driver who lasts three months and a driver who builds a career. The problem is not your qualifications. The problem is that your resume is written in a language civilian fleet managers do not speak. Fix that and you are first in line for the best routes, the best equipment, and the best pay.

Start with your CDL and endorsements

Your CDL and endorsements are the most important information on your trucking resume. Put them at the top in a dedicated section. List your CDL class, state, and expiration date. List every endorsement you hold. Hazmat, tanker, doubles and triples, passenger, school bus. Every endorsement opens up more job opportunities and higher pay. If you have a TWIC card or a Transportation Worker Identification Credential, list it. If you have a FAST card or any border-crossing credentials, list those too. If you have a valid passport, list it. International runs pay more and companies want drivers who can cross borders. If you are still in the military and planning to get your CDL, mention that you have completed the military skills test waiver program. Most states allow veterans with military driving experience to skip the CDL skills test. That is a huge advantage. Mention it explicitly.

How to list your military driving experience in civilian language

The biggest mistake veterans make on trucking resumes is listing their military vehicle experience in military terms. Civilian fleet managers do not know what an LMTV is. They do not know what an MRAP is. They do not know the weight classes or the military designations. But they do understand weight classes, vehicle types, and driving conditions. Here is how to translate your experience. Instead of listing the specific military vehicle, list the civilian equivalent. A 5-ton truck is a Class 6 or Class 7 vehicle. A HMMWV is a light truck or SUV. A fuel tanker is a tanker truck. A wrecker is a heavy-duty tow truck. Describe the vehicle by what it does and how much it weighs, not by its military name. For each driving role, list the approximate number of miles driven, the types of roads and conditions, and any cargo you transported. 'Drove Class 7 vehicles over 50,000 miles across varied terrain including highways, unpaved roads, and urban environments. Transported cargo loads up to 10 tons. Maintained a zero-accident record over 4 years of vehicle operation.' That is a bullet that any fleet manager understands and respects.

Safety record is your strongest selling point

Civilian trucking companies live and die by their safety ratings. A single accident can spike their insurance premiums by tens of thousands of dollars. When you show up with a clean driving record and a military safety history, you are not just another applicant. You are a risk reduction. Lead with your safety record. If you have a zero-accident history, say it. If you completed defensive driving courses, list them. If you received any safety awards or recognition, mention them. If you maintained vehicles and performed pre-trip inspections, describe that. Civilian drivers are expected to do pre-trip inspections. Military drivers are expected to do them thoroughly. That is a competitive advantage. Spell it out. 'Performed comprehensive pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections on all assigned vehicles. Maintained vehicles in fully mission-capable status. Zero safety violations over 6 years of vehicle operation.' That paragraph tells a fleet manager you will not cost them money in accidents, insurance, or downtime. That is more valuable than any number of miles driven.

Maintenance and mechanical skills that set you apart

Most civilian truck drivers do not know how to fix their own truck. They call roadside assistance and wait. You know how to diagnose problems, perform basic repairs, and keep a vehicle running. That is worth money to a trucking company. List your mechanical skills explicitly. Preventive maintenance. Diagnostics. Minor repairs. Fluid changes. Tire changes. If you can do it, list it. If you have any formal mechanical training, list that too. Companies pay a premium for drivers who can keep their trucks on the road instead of in the shop. 'Performed preventive maintenance and minor repairs on assigned vehicles, reducing downtime and maintenance costs. Diagnosed mechanical issues and coordinated with maintenance teams for complex repairs.' That is a bullet that separates you from ninety percent of the applicants.

Logistics and documentation experience

Trucking is not just driving. It is paperwork. Bills of lading. Delivery receipts. Hours of service logs. Electronic logging devices. If you have experience with any kind of documentation, tracking, or logistics coordination, put it on your resume. Military drivers deal with manifests, chain of custody, and accountability documentation constantly. That is transferable experience. 'Managed cargo documentation including manifests, delivery receipts, and chain of custody forms. Tracked shipments and coordinated delivery schedules across multiple locations. Maintained accurate hours of service and mileage logs.' Every fleet manager reading that knows you will not be a paperwork headache. You will get the load there and the paperwork will be right.

Additional certifications that boost your pay

Beyond your CDL, there are certifications that increase your earning potential. If you have any of these, list them. OSHA safety certifications. Hazardous materials handling beyond the CDL hazmat endorsement. First aid and CPR certifications. Forklift certification. Crane certification. Any heavy equipment operation certification. If you have security clearance, mention it. Some trucking jobs involve transporting sensitive or high-value cargo. A security clearance makes you eligible for those loads, which pay significantly more. 'Active Secret security clearance. Eligible for high-value and sensitive cargo transportation contracts.' That line alone can open up routes that pay double the standard rate.

How to handle the resume format for trucking jobs

Trucking resumes should be straightforward and easy to scan. Fleet managers are reviewing dozens of applications. They want to see your CDL, your experience, and your safety record in the first ten seconds. Put a professional summary at the top. 'CDL Class A driver with 6 years of military driving experience and a zero-accident record. Hazmat, tanker, and doubles/triples endorsed. 50,000-plus miles driven across all road conditions. Seeking a long-haul or regional driving position with a safety-focused carrier.' Then list your CDL and endorsements in a dedicated section. Then your driving experience with the civilian translations described above. Then your certifications and training. Then your maintenance and mechanical skills. Keep it to one page. Do not include irrelevant military experience. If you were also an infantryman or a cook, that is not relevant to the trucking job. Leave it out or summarize it in one line. The resume is not your life story. It is a sales document for the specific job you want.

The companies that actively recruit veterans for trucking jobs

Some of the largest trucking companies in the country have dedicated veteran hiring programs. Schneider, Swift, Werner, J.B. Hunt, and Prime Inc. all actively recruit veterans. Many offer CDL training reimbursement or paid training programs for veterans who do not yet have their CDL. Some offer sign-on bonuses specifically for veterans. The Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service also runs programs that connect veterans with trucking jobs. Before you apply anywhere, tailor your resume to the specific company. If they mention safety in their job posting, lead with your safety record. If they mention hazmat, lead with your hazmat endorsement. If they mention regional routes, mention your experience with long-distance driving. A generic resume gets generic results. A tailored resume gets the call. This is the same principle as any other job search. Your military experience is valuable. But only if you present it in the language the employer actually speaks.

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