Driver’s License on a Resume: When and How to Include It

Whether to include your driver’s license on a resume is a question that depends entirely on the job you’re applying for. While driving credentials are essential information for some positions, they’re completely unnecessary for others—and including irrelevant information can waste valuable resume space. This guide will help you understand when your driver’s license belongs on your resume, how to list it properly, and what additional driving-related information might strengthen your application.

When to Include Your Driver’s License

Jobs Where Driving Is Required

If the job description explicitly mentions driving requirements, include your license. These positions typically include:

Transportation and Delivery:

Truck drivers (local and long-haul)
Delivery drivers (package, food, medical)
Bus drivers
Rideshare and taxi drivers
Courier services

Sales and Field Positions:

Outside sales representatives
Field service technicians
Territory managers
Pharmaceutical sales representatives
Real estate agents

Healthcare and Home Services:

Home health aides
Visiting nurses
Social workers
In-home caregivers
Medical equipment delivery

Construction and Trades:

Construction workers
Electricians and plumbers
HVAC technicians
Landscapers
Equipment operators

Other Driving-Required Roles:

Executive assistants (who may drive executives)
Property managers
Insurance adjusters
Home inspectors
Utility workers

Jobs Where Driving May Be Preferred

Some positions don’t require driving but mention it as preferred:

Positions with occasional travel
Roles requiring visits to client sites
Jobs in areas with limited public transportation
Positions mentioning company vehicle access

When the Job Description Mentions It

Always include your driver’s license if the job posting:

Lists “valid driver’s license” as a requirement
Mentions “must have reliable transportation”
Includes “travel required” in duties
Specifies “own vehicle required”

When NOT to Include Your Driver’s License

Office-Based Positions

For standard office jobs with no driving component:

Software developers
Accountants (unless field audits required)
Administrative assistants
Marketing professionals
Human resources roles

Remote Positions

Work-from-home jobs have no need for driving credentials unless occasional travel is specified.

Jobs in Major Metropolitan Areas

In cities with extensive public transportation (New York City, San Francisco, Chicago), many employers don’t expect employees to drive unless specifically stated.

When Space Is Limited

If your resume is already full of relevant qualifications and the job doesn’t require driving, use that space for more impactful information.

Types of Driver’s Licenses

Standard Driver’s License (Class D/Regular)

The standard non-commercial license held by most drivers:

Personal vehicles
Light trucks
Motorcycles (with endorsement)

On Resume: “Valid [State] Driver’s License” or simply “Valid Driver’s License”

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Required for operating commercial vehicles:

CDL Class A:

Combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs
Tractor-trailers
Truck and trailer combinations

CDL Class B:

Single vehicles over 26,001 lbs
Buses (24+ passengers)
Straight trucks

CDL Class C:

Vehicles designed for 16+ passengers
Vehicles transporting hazardous materials

On Resume: “CDL Class A License” with endorsements

CDL Endorsements

Additional certifications that expand what you can transport:

H - Hazardous Materials: Allows transport of hazardous cargo
N - Tank Vehicle: Allows operation of tanker trucks
P - Passenger: Allows transport of passengers
S - School Bus: Allows operation of school buses
T - Double/Triple Trailers: Allows towing multiple trailers
X - Combination: Hazmat and tanker combined

On Resume: “CDL Class A License with Hazmat (H) and Tanker (N) Endorsements”

Specialty Licenses

Chauffeur’s license (some states)
Motorcycle endorsement
Emergency vehicle certification
Commercial passenger transport

How to List Your Driver’s License on a Resume

In a Skills or Qualifications Section

The most common placement:

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS
• Valid California Driver's License with clean driving record
• CDL Class A License with Hazmat and Tanker endorsements
• Proficient in route planning and GPS navigation

In a Certifications Section

If you have other certifications, include it there:

CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES
• CDL Class A License, Texas | Issued 2020
• Hazmat Endorsement | Current
• Tanker Endorsement | Current
• OSHA 30-Hour Safety Certification | 2021

In a Dedicated Licenses Section

For positions where driving is central:

LICENSES & CREDENTIALS
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Class A
  - Endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T)
  - Clean driving record (5+ years)
  - Current DOT Medical Card
• Forklift Certification

In the Header (Occasionally)

For driving-focused positions, some candidates include it prominently:

JOHN SMITH
CDL Class A Driver | Hazmat & Tanker Certified
Chicago, IL | (555) 123-4567 | [email protected]

Within Work Experience

Reference your license in context of your experience:

DELIVERY DRIVER
ABC Logistics | Houston, TX | 2020 - Present

• Operated 26-foot box truck utilizing CDL Class B license
• Maintained impeccable safety record over 150,000+ miles driven
• Completed 50+ deliveries daily across 200-mile territory

What Additional Information to Include

Clean Driving Record

If you have an accident-free history, mention it:

“Clean driving record (5+ years)”
“No moving violations or accidents”
“Excellent driving history”

Years of Experience

Especially for CDL positions:

“10+ years of safe commercial driving experience”
“7 years OTR (Over-The-Road) experience”

Miles Driven

Quantify your experience:

“500,000+ accident-free miles”
“1 million safe miles achieved”

Specific Vehicle Experience

List relevant vehicle types:

“Experience with tractor-trailers, flatbeds, and tankers”
“Skilled in operating 53-foot dry vans and refrigerated trailers”
“Proficient with manual and automatic transmissions”

Include complementary credentials:

DOT Medical Card (current)
Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
Forklift certification
Defensive driving course completion
Hazmat handling training

Geographic Knowledge

For delivery or transportation roles:

“Extensive knowledge of Chicago metropolitan area”
“Familiar with Northeast regional routes”
“Experience navigating urban and rural environments”

Driver’s License Resume Examples

Example 1: Truck Driver

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS • CDL Class A License, Texas | Clean record since 2015 • Endorsements: Hazmat (H), Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T) • DOT Medical Card | Current through 2026 • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) • Smith System Defensive Driving Certification

DRIVING EXPERIENCE • 8+ years OTR and regional trucking experience • 750,000+ accident-free miles • Experience with dry van, refrigerated, flatbed, and tanker trailers

Example 2: Delivery Driver

QUALIFICATIONS • Valid Florida Driver’s License with clean driving record • 5+ years delivery driving experience • Proficient with route optimization software (Route4Me, Circuit) • Excellent knowledge of Miami-Dade and Broward counties • Forklift certified

Example 3: Sales Representative

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS • Valid State Driver’s License • Own reliable transportation • Available for extensive regional travel (up to 60% travel) • 3 years experience managing multi-state sales territory

Example 4: Home Health Aide

CERTIFICATIONS & CREDENTIALS • Certified Home Health Aide (HHA), State of New York • CPR/First Aid Certified • Valid New York Driver’s License • Reliable personal vehicle for patient visits • TB clearance and background check completed

Example 5: Field Service Technician

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS • Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License with clean record • HVAC EPA Section 608 Universal Certification • OSHA 10-Hour Construction Safety • Experience with company fleet vehicles and equipment transport

Special Considerations

International Applicants

If you hold an international license and are applying in a new country:

Note your country of licensure
Indicate if you’re eligible for or hold a local license
Mention International Driving Permit if applicable

Example: “Valid UK Driving Licence; eligible for US license transfer”

Suspended or Restricted Licenses

If your license has restrictions or recent issues:

Don’t lie about your status
Don’t include the license if it would raise red flags
Be prepared to address it if asked
Focus on jobs that don’t require driving

Expired Licenses

Only list current, valid licenses. If your license recently expired:

Renew before applying to driving jobs
Don’t list expired credentials
Note renewal in progress if applicable

Multiple State Licenses

Generally, you can only hold one valid driver’s license at a time in the US:

List your current, valid license
Note the state of licensure
For CDL, specify the issuing state

Jobs That Value Driving Credentials

Beyond obvious transportation roles, these positions often value driving ability:

Marketing and Promotions:

Brand ambassadors
Event coordinators
Mobile marketing teams

Emergency Services:

Emergency medical technicians
Fire department (non-driver positions)
Disaster relief workers

Animal Services:

Veterinary assistants (mobile clinics)
Animal control officers
Pet transport services

Retail and Service:

Catering managers
Florist delivery
Furniture and appliance delivery

Media and Communications:

News reporters (field assignments)
Mobile DJs
Photography/videography professionals

Using Resume Tools Effectively

When creating a resume for driving-dependent positions, tools like 0portfolio.com can help you format your credentials professionally and ensure important qualifications like licenses are prominently displayed where recruiters expect to find them.

When using resume builders:

Look for templates with dedicated credentials sections
Ensure license information is in searchable text (not images)
Place driving qualifications where they’ll be seen quickly
Match the emphasis to the importance of driving in the role

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include my license number on my resume?

No. Never include your actual license number on a resume. It’s personal information that creates identity theft risk and isn’t needed until the hiring process advances. Simply state that you hold a valid license.

What if I don’t have a driver’s license?

If the job requires driving and you don’t have a license, you likely won’t be considered. For jobs where it’s preferred but not required:

Don’t mention what you don’t have
Emphasize access to reliable transportation if true
Highlight other relevant qualifications

Should I mention my car on my resume?

Only if the job requires use of your personal vehicle:

“Own reliable vehicle for work use”
“Personal transportation available”

How do I list a motorcycle endorsement?

If relevant to the position: “Valid [State] Driver’s License with Motorcycle Endorsement”

Should I mention safe driving awards?

Absolutely, especially for commercial driving positions:

“Million Mile Safe Driver Award”
“Recipient of Fleet Safety Excellence Award”
“Zero accidents in 10+ years of commercial driving”

Conclusion

Including your driver’s license on a resume is a strategic decision that depends entirely on the position you’re seeking. For transportation, delivery, field service, and any job with driving requirements, your license and driving credentials are essential qualifications that should be prominently featured. For office-based, remote, or positions without driving components, save that valuable resume space for more relevant information.

When you do include driving credentials:

Match the detail to the job - CDL positions need complete endorsement information; general positions need only basic license confirmation
Highlight your safety record - Clean driving history is valuable
Include relevant certifications - DOT medical cards, TWIC, and specialized training
Quantify your experience - Miles driven, years of experience, geographic expertise
Format professionally - Place credentials where they’re easy to find

Your driver’s license may seem like a simple piece of information, but for the right positions, it’s a crucial qualification that can make or break your candidacy. Present it clearly, support it with relevant details, and let your driving credentials demonstrate your readiness for the road ahead.

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