A truck driver cover letter needs to do one thing quickly: prove you are a safe, reliable, and compliant driver who can handle the specific freight and routes the employer runs. Whether you hold a CDL Class A for over-the-road dry van work or a CDL Class B for regional distribution, a targeted letter moves you past the stack of generic applications. This guide covers what hiring managers look for, how to write a cover letter for a commercial driving role, and a realistic example you can adapt to your situation. If you are new to commercial driving, the no experience cover letter guide also covers how to frame a limited logbook history.
What employers look for in a truck driver cover letter
Fleet managers and dispatchers review driver applications with a short, specific checklist in mind. Address each of these points and you will stand out from most candidates.
- CDL class and endorsements. State your CDL Class A or Class B license upfront, along with the state that issued it. If you hold a hazmat endorsement, a tanker endorsement, or a doubles/triples endorsement, list them. These credentials determine which loads and routes you qualify for immediately.
- Clean driving record and MVR history. Employers run Motor Vehicle Record checks on every driver. Acknowledging a clean MVR in your cover letter saves time and signals transparency. If you have a strong safety history -- no at-fault accidents and no moving violations in the past three to five years -- say so.
- DOT compliance and hours-of-service knowledge. Mention your familiarity with FMCSA regulations, the 60/70-hour rule, and pre- and post-trip inspection requirements. Carriers must maintain DOT compliance across their fleet, and drivers who understand the regulatory framework reduce liability.
- ELD and logbook experience. Most carriers run Electronic Logging Devices. Name the systems you have used -- KeepTruckin/Motive, Omnitracs, PeopleNet, or Samsara are common. If you have transitioned from paper logs to ELD, mention it.
- Freight types and equipment. Specify the trailer types you have run: dry van, temperature-controlled reefer, flatbed, step-deck, or tanker. Include the combined weight and length you are comfortable with and whether you have experience with strapping, tarping, or securing specialized freight.
- Route planning and on-time delivery rate. Employers value drivers who optimize routes, manage fuel stops, and meet delivery windows consistently. A concrete on-time delivery percentage or a mention of your miles driven without incident adds credibility fast.
How to write a truck driver cover letter that gets interviews
1. Lead with your CDL class and your most relevant freight experience
Open with your license class and the freight type that matches the job posting. A recruiter filling an OTR flatbed position wants to see flatbed and CDL Class A in the first two sentences. A regional LTL carrier wants to see local or regional experience and a history with multi-stop delivery routes. Avoid openers like "I am a hardworking and dedicated driver" -- that sentence tells the reader nothing. State credentials, freight experience, and clean record instead.
2. Address DOT compliance and ELD use directly
Carriers face serious regulatory exposure from non-compliant drivers. A single line that references your familiarity with hours-of-service rules, your consistent pre- and post-trip inspection habit, and the ELD system you use most will separate your application from drivers who never mention compliance. If you have passed a DOT physical recently and hold a valid medical examiner's certificate, include that detail.
3. Quantify your driving record and delivery performance
Numbers make claims credible in a trucking cover letter. Mention the miles you drive per year, your on-time delivery rate, how many years or miles you have driven without a preventable accident, or the cargo value you routinely handle. A line like "I have driven 480,000 accident-free miles over six years hauling temperature-sensitive freight across 11 states" is specific enough that a fleet manager will remember it. For guidance on building a strong letter when your commercial miles are limited, see the entry-level cover letter page.
4. Connect your reliability to the employer's operation
Close by linking your experience to what the carrier actually runs. If they specialize in refrigerated produce, reference your reefer experience and your understanding of temperature setpoints and pre-cooling checks. If they run a flatbed division, mention your securement training and your comfort with tarping in varied weather. This final paragraph should make the hiring manager feel that you already understand their freight and their expectations before you walk through the door. For context on how to position yourself when moving between freight types or carrier models, the career change cover letter guide covers that transition effectively.
Truck driver cover letter example
Replace company names, CDL details, freight types, and mileage figures with your own information.
Subject: Application for the Truck driver position
Before you send your application
Use this checklist to review your letter before submitting:
- Confirm your CDL class, issuing state, and all active endorsements are listed accurately and match your current license.
- Verify that your MVR status claim is accurate -- if you have a minor violation, do not hide it, but frame your overall record honestly.
- Check that you have mentioned the specific freight type (dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker) that the job posting requires.
- Include at least one number: miles driven, on-time delivery rate, accident-free years, or cargo value handled.
- Name the ELD system you use and confirm your DOT medical certificate is current.
- Remove vague claims like "safe driver" or "always on time" unless backed by a specific metric or tenure.
- Read the letter aloud to catch run-on sentences and make sure the tone is direct and professional.
For broader guidance on letter structure and length, see the how to write a cover letter guide and the cover letter format page. If you are transitioning from a non-driving role into commercial trucking, the career change cover letter resource explains how to reframe transferable skills for a new industry. For more roles in the legal and public service category, including positions that also require federal compliance and licensing, see the cluster overview.
FAQ
How long should a truck driver cover letter be?
Keep it to three or four paragraphs and no more than one page. Fleet managers and safety directors review high volumes of applications and will not read a letter that runs long. A focused letter of 250 to 350 words that states your CDL class, compliance record, and freight experience clearly will outperform a longer letter every time. Every sentence should add something the resume does not already show at a glance.
Do I need a cover letter if I already have a CDL and a clean record?
Yes. A cover letter lets you contextualize your record, name the freight types you are most experienced with, and explain why you are interested in this specific carrier. A clean MVR gets you past the initial screen; a well-written letter moves you to the interview. Drivers who send only a resume and an application are often passed over for candidates who take the time to communicate directly with the fleet manager.
What CDL endorsements should I mention in my cover letter?
Mention every active endorsement that is relevant to the job posting. For hazardous materials transport, your hazmat endorsement is mandatory to name. For liquid freight, your tanker endorsement matters. For multi-trailer operations, doubles and triples is relevant. Do not list endorsements you do not currently hold -- carriers verify credentials before the first dispatch and any discrepancy will end the process immediately.
How do I write a truck driver cover letter if I am new to commercial driving?
Focus on your CDL training program, the driving school you attended, any supervised miles logged under a trainer, and your score on the CDL knowledge and skills tests. If you drove non-commercial vehicles professionally -- delivery vans, moving trucks, or farm equipment -- mention those hours. Emphasize your commitment to DOT compliance, your willingness to start with regional or local routes, and any relevant endorsements you have already obtained. The entry-level cover letter and no experience cover letter guides both provide frameworks for entering a skilled trade with a limited professional track record.
Should I mention a past DOT violation or accident in my cover letter?
Do not volunteer negative information in a cover letter, but do not misrepresent your record either. If an employer runs an MVR check -- and every reputable carrier will -- discrepancies between your letter and your record will disqualify you immediately. If you have a violation that is several years old and you have driven cleanly since, you can address it briefly at the interview stage. Focus your letter on what your record looks like today and the steps you have taken to maintain safety and compliance.