How To List Driver’s License on Resumes: Why, When, and How

“Should I put my driver's license on my resume?” There’s often a bit of confusion about what goes on your resumes and what employers expect to see. For most US resumes, driver’s licenses aren’t required, but there are a handful of times when it’s relevant and beneficial. This article discusses when and how to list driver’s licenses on resumes, as well as tips to make sure you do it right.

When is a driver’s license required on a resume?

In most cases, it isn’t necessary to put your driver’s license on your resume. However, it’s beneficial to provide your driver’s license when applying for some roles, such as truck drivers or delivery professionals. It’s also useful for positions that require large amounts of travel, like salespeople or consulting work.

If a driver’s license is required for work, many recruiters will ask you for the information later in the hiring process. However, placing the details right in your resume saves the hiring team time and makes you a more attractive applicant.

Another important consideration is whether or not you’re applying for a job in another country. When building an international resume, driver’s license details make your resume look smooth and natural. Including your driver’s license is common practice in South Africa and the Netherlands.

Considering a driving role or a role that requires travel? Check out resume examples for a variety of professions.

The benefits of creating a driver’s license resume

While it isn’t necessary, there are benefits to including your driver’s license on your resume beyond driver roles and international applications.

Including your driver’s license in your resume shows employers you’re willing to travel, or that you have a reliable mode of transportation. This makes you an attractive candidate if you live a sizeable distance from the company, or the organization is located in a rural area with little public transportation.

Expert Tip:

Read the job description carefully before applying to a job. Some unexpected roles require a driver’s license, such as home health aides or personal tutors. As well as you could technically use public transport to reach your work, employers like to make sure you will always be able to make it on time.

Building your resume: Driver’s license details to include

Now that you’ve decided to include it, let’s learn how to list a driver's license on resumes. If an employer just needs you to have basic driving permission and ability, you can simply put: “Valid [US State] Driver’s License.”

However, depending on the role, you may need to provide more detailed information. For example, if you’re applying for a role as a bus driver, you should provide your commercial driver’s license class and endorsement.

Here are the main types of driver’s licenses in the US:

• Basic type (Class D)
• Junior License
• Commercial License (Class A, B, and C)
• Class E (Taxi)
• Motorcycle
• Enhanced licenses (only in Washington, Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York)

Each of these licenses has unique permissions, so hiring managers will be keeping a careful eye out for candidates who have them. For specialty roles, they’ll also be looking for driving endorsements, such as permission to drive a vehicle with a large tank on it.

Here are common vehicle endorsements to list on resumes:

• P: Passenger transport
• H: Hazardous materials
• N: Tank vehicles
• T: Double or triple trailers
• X: Hazardous materials and tank vehicles
• S: School bus

“Including your driver’s license in your resume shows employers you’re willing to travel, or that you have a reliable mode of transportation.”

How to list driver's license on resumes

Now you know which details to include, but where should you put them? A resume must be professional and tidy, so you can’t just toss the information anywhere. You also want it easy to find.

Here are our top recommendations:

• Resume header: Place your driver’s license details and certifications in your personal details, alongside your phone number and email address.
• Skills section: List your driver’s license class and certifications as a hard skill.
• Certifications: Include your driver’s license details and endorsements in an optional “Certifications and licenses” section.
• Custom header: Create a “Driver’s Licenses” header specifically for your driver’s licenses, particularly if you have multiple specialty licenses and endorsements. This option is best for highly specialized professional drivers.

Building a custom header just for your driver’s license is simple with CVwizard’s Resume Builder. Simply add a new custom section, name it whatever you like, and provide details beneath it.

Here’s an example driver’s license entry:

Driver’s License: Class A CDL Hazmat Driver
Endorsements: Tanker and airbrakes

Driver’s license resume do’s and don’ts

Before we finish up, let’s take a look at a few do’s and don’ts of building a driver’s license resume.

Do’s:

• Research the most common resume structure of the country you’re applying for a job in. Adding your driver’s license is common for all roles in South Africa and the Netherlands. Don’t forget to use the term “CV” when researching countries other than the United States, Canada, and France.
• Add your clean DMV record, if applicable. This shows hiring managers your skill and reliability.
• Be as specific as possible when describing your experience. Mention the types of goods you’ve hauled or the amount of passengers you’ve transported.
• Mention that you own your own vehicle if it’s a requirement or preferred qualification

Don’ts:

• Never provide your driver’s license number, as this is sensitive information that could lead to identity theft in the wrong hands
• Never include your driver’s license expiration date. This is sensitive information and employers don’t need to know it.
• Don’t show employers your full driver’s license until an offer has been extended.
• Be wary of any job descriptions that outright ask to see your full driver’s license or driver’s license number.

Looking for more resume tips? Browse our library of resume articles for advice on how to structure your resume and what to include.

Build an Impressive Resume: Driver’s Licenses Speed Up The Process

Whether you’re a sales professional driving to a new city or a trucker transporting fragile materials, it’s important to know how to list driver’s license on resumes. It’s a huge relief to hiring managers to see your class and endorsements right on your resume, rather than having to wonder.

If you decide to include your driver’s license on your resume, be sure to follow our tips:

• List your driver’s license class and endorsements in either your header, skills section, certifications, or in their own custom header
• Consider the country of the company you’re applying to and whether or not it’s common practice in the area
• Never include your driver’s license number or expiration date, as it’s a risk of your privacy and identity
• Be wary of employers who ask to see your driver’s license immediately without extending an offer

Showing recruiters your driver’s license class and certifications is a courtesy that speeds up the hiring process and makes you a quality applicant. Ready to get started? Review our resume templates and find one that suits your role and industry. All of them support extra headers, so your driver’s license will fit in smoothly.