Truck Driver (CDL) job description template

LiveRec EditorialUpdated

US format for the truck driver (CDL) job description, federal rules as of 30 Oct 2026. State and local rules vary.

A truck driver moves freight safely and on schedule in a commercial vehicle. A compliant posting names the license class and endorsements, the route type, the pay basis, home time and the federal safety and screening steps every commercial driver must pass before driving.

At a glance

  • Name the CDL class (A or B) and any endorsements, such as tanker or hazmat.
  • Describe route type: local, regional or over-the-road, and typical home time.
  • State pay basis (per mile, per hour, per load) and what is unpaid, like detention.

Template

Truck Driver (CDL)
[COMPANY] | [CITY, STATE or Remote] | [Full-time / Part-time / Contract]

PAY: $[MIN] to $[MAX] per [hour / year]. Benefits: [LIST].

SUMMARY
A truck driver moves freight safely and on schedule in a commercial vehicle. At [COMPANY] you will [OUTCOME FOR THE FIRST YEAR] and report to [TITLE].

RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drive a [TRUCK / TRAILER TYPE] on [ROUTE TYPE] routes within hours-of-service limits
- Complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and report defects
- Load, secure and unload cargo as required
- Keep logs in the [ELD SYSTEM] and complete delivery paperwork
- Communicate delays and incidents to dispatch
- Follow safety, weight and route rules for every trip
- Treat customers professionally at pick-up and delivery

REQUIREMENTS
- Valid Class [A / B] commercial driver's license with [ENDORSEMENTS]
- Current DOT medical examiner's certificate
- Clean enough driving record to meet your insurer's standards: state the standard
- [N] months of driving experience in the equipment type
- Ability to pass the required DOT pre-employment drug test

NICE TO HAVE
- Hazmat, tanker or doubles endorsement
- Experience with [ELD / ROUTING APP]

HOW WE HIRE
[Interview rounds, any test, timeline. Say that applicants never pay a fee.]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
[COMPANY] considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. To request an adjustment, contact [EMAIL].

Duties and skills follow the O*NET OnLine summary for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers (53-3032.00), the US Department of Labor's occupational database.

How to customize it

  • Federal screening: FMCSA rules require a pre-employment drug test and a query of the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before a driver performs safety-sensitive work.
  • Driver qualification file: you must review the driving record and keep required records. Plan for this in your timeline.
  • Pay: state how detention, layover and unloading time are paid, and whether the driver is an employee or an independent contractor. Misclassification has legal risk.
  • Home time: describe it as a fact (for example, home most weekends) only if it is true.
  • Level: delete the junior or senior wording that does not apply, and cut every requirement you would not screen for.
  • Pay: enter your own approved range. Several states require a range in the posting; see pay transparency laws.

How to post it on LiveRec

  1. Open Jobs and choose Post a job.
  2. Choose Use a template or a previous job, Describe it with AI, or Create a new job from scratch.
  3. Paste the summary, responsibilities and requirements into the Description step, then complete the screening and assessment steps.
  4. Use Preview posting to see what candidates see, then choose Post job.

Steps and limits are in Post a job on LiveRec. When the applicants arrive, use the truck driver (cdl) interview questions.

FAQ

Can I hire a driver without experience? Yes if you provide training under federal entry-level driver training rules and your insurer allows it. Say clearly that you hire new CDL holders.

Do I list the drug test in the posting? Yes. Telling applicants about required DOT testing up front saves time on both sides.

Next step

Fill the placeholders, check the finished text against how to write a job description, and post it. Build a scorecard from the requirements list.

Sources

  • O*NET OnLine, 53-3032.00 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/53-3032.00
  • EEOC, Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices: https://www.eeoc.gov/prohibited-employment-policies-practices
  • US DOL Wage and Hour Division, FLSA: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa
  • FMCSA, Commercial driver's license requirements: https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license
  • FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse: https://clearinghouse.fmcsa.dot.gov/

This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.