Class A CDL Resume
A Class A CDL is the license for combination vehicles — tractor-trailer, doubles, most tankers. It is the broadest commercial license in the United States, and it is also the one most in demand, which means Class A resumes compete against a lot of other Class A resumes.
The differentiator is rarely the license. It is what you have pulled, where you have run, which endorsements you hold and whether you present it in a way a recruiter can scan. Two drivers with identical experience get very different response rates based on the top third of the page.
Below is what belongs on a Class A resume and how to order it.
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Who this is for
- Tractor-trailer drivers of every route type
- Class A holders moving between carriers or segments
- Owner-operators returning to company driving
- Recent Class A graduates writing a first resume
CDL details that matter here
- Class A covers any combination with a trailer over 10,000 lbs GVWR — it also lets you operate Class B and C vehicles.
- Put the license and issuing state in a dedicated block, not inside a job bullet.
- List endorsements by name and code. Doubles/Triples (T) matters more than most Class A drivers realize — it opens LTL and fuel work.
- Note manual transmission experience if you have it. A growing share of drivers are automatic-restricted, and manual-capable drivers are worth more to some fleets.
Equipment worth listing
- 53-foot dry van
- Refrigerated trailer
- Flatbed and step deck
- Tanker
- Container chassis
- Doubles and pup trailers
- Car hauler
- Lowboy and RGN
Skills recruiters look for
Only include the ones that are genuinely true of you.
- CDL Class A
- Commercial Vehicle Operations
- Trailer Coupling
- Hours of Service
- Electronic Logging Devices
- DOT Compliance
- Cargo Securement
- Trip Planning
- Weight Compliance
- Backing and Maneuvering
- Pre-Trip Inspection
- Manual Transmission
Certifications and endorsements
- TWIC
- HazMat (H)
- Tanker (N)
- Doubles/Triples (T)
- Smith System
Download a sample resume
Free PDFs, no email required. These are produced by the same builder that writes your resume, so the layout and structure are exactly what you would get.
The drivers in these samples are fictional. Use the structure, then put your own verifiable history into it — never submit someone else’s history as your own.
Example wording
About the examples on this page: every example is written by us as an illustration. None describes a real driver or a real customer, and no figure in any example is real. Use the structure, never the content.
Example only. "CDL Class A driver with 6 to 10 years of OTR and regional experience operating dry van, reefer and flatbed equipment. Experienced with cargo securement, trip planning and electronic logs. Doubles/Triples and Tanker endorsed. Seeking a regional Class A position."
Example: Operated Class A tractor-trailer equipment on regional and long-haul routes across the eastern United States.
Example: Coupled and inspected trailers including air lines, landing gear and fifth-wheel connection before every departure.
Example: Managed Hours of Service and trip planning to meet appointment windows within legal driving limits.
Example: Secured varied freight types including palletized, floor-loaded and strapped flatbed loads.
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Common mistakes
Not listing the transmission restriction
If your CDL carries an automatic restriction, some jobs are closed to you and a carrier will find out at orientation. If you are manual-capable, say so — it is a differentiator.
Treating Class A as the whole story
Every applicant for the job has a Class A. What you pulled, where you ran and what you are endorsed for is the actual content.
Not naming trailer types per job
A driver who ran flatbed at one employer and reefer at another has broader experience than the resume shows if the equipment sits in one global list.
CDL classes and what each one lets you drive
| Class | What it covers | Typical vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | A combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 lb or more, where the towed unit is rated over 10,000 lb. | Tractor-trailer, tanker, flatbed, doubles and triples, car hauler |
| Class B | A single vehicle rated 26,001 lb or more, or such a vehicle towing a unit rated 10,000 lb or less. | Straight truck, dump truck, box truck, city bus, refuse truck |
| Class C | A vehicle that does not meet the Class A or Class B definition but carries 16 or more passengers including the driver, or placarded quantities of hazardous materials. | Passenger van, small hazmat vehicle |
Common CDL restrictions and how they read to a recruiter
| Code | Restriction | What it means for hiring |
|---|---|---|
| E | No manual transmission | You tested in an automatic. Many fleets are fully automatic, but manual-only lanes will screen you out. |
| L | No air brakes | Rules out almost all commercial trucks. Worth clearing before applying. |
| Z | No full air brake system | You tested on air-over-hydraulic brakes. |
| O | No tractor-trailer | A Class A held without fifth-wheel testing. Straight-truck and doubles work is still open. |
| V | Medical variance | An FMCSA exemption is on file. It is not a disqualifier, and you do not need to explain it on a resume. |
Frequently asked questions
What does a Class A CDL let me drive?
Any combination vehicle with a gross combination weight rating over 26,001 lbs where the towed unit exceeds 10,000 lbs — and, with the right endorsements, most Class B and C vehicles as well.
Should I list my CDL number?
No. It goes on the carrier application through a secure channel, not on a document you upload to job boards.
How much Class A experience do carriers want?
Most want one to two years for standard freight. Many large carriers hire new graduates through training programs. Specialized work — tanker, heavy haul, car hauling — usually wants two years or more.
Sources
- 49 CFR 383.91 — Commercial motor vehicle groups The legal definitions of Class A, Class B and Class C.
- 49 CFR Part 383 — Commercial Driver’s License Standards The regulation itself, including class definitions, endorsements and restrictions.
Related guides
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