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CDL Truck Driver Video Resume: Answer the Recruiter’s Questions Up Front

By David Welsh, Seenly · Updated October 7, 2026

Driver hiring often starts with a phone call that runs through the same list every time. What class? What endorsements? Any restrictions? How long have you been driving, and in what? What kind of home time do you need? A 60–90 second video can answer all of that before the call, in your own voice, so the recruiter or dispatcher knows who they’re calling and why.

Seenly was built by a construction manager, not a trucking recruiter. So this guide sticks to what’s on your license, what federal rules require, and the questions a recruiter is likely to ask first.

What carriers and recruiters listen for

Your class. Class A (combination vehicles), Class B (heavy straight trucks), or Class C. Say it first.
Your endorsements. These are letters on your CDL: T (doubles/triples), P (passenger), N (tank), H (hazmat), X (tank and hazmat combined), S (school bus).^[1] Each one opens up different freight. Name yours.
Your restrictions, honestly. Restriction codes also appear on the license. For example: L means no air brake–equipped vehicles, E means no manual transmission, O means no tractor-trailer.^[1] If you have an E restriction, say “automatic only.” A recruiter will see it anyway, and saying it shows you know your own license.
Your medical card. Interstate CDL drivers need a current medical examiner’s certificate from a DOT physical.^[2] Say it’s current.
New drivers: your training. If you got your first Class A or Class B (or upgraded from B to A) on or after February 7, 2022, you most likely had to finish entry-level driver training with a provider on FMCSA’s Training Provider Registry.^[3] Say where you trained and when you got your license.
Experience by type. OTR, regional, local, dedicated. Dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker, dump, box truck. Years and miles if you know them. Be accurate. It’s all checkable.
Safety record. If your record is clean, say it plainly. If it isn’t, don’t bring it up in the video. Be straight about it when they ask.
Home time and schedule. What you need and what you’ll do. A clear answer saves both sides a wasted call.

The five prompts, written for drivers

About 15 seconds each, one take.

1. Tell me about yourself

Experienced: “I’m [name], a Class A driver out of [city]. [X] years, mostly regional reefer. Tanker and hazmat endorsements, medical card current.”

New driver: “I’m [name]. I got my Class A in [month, year] after finishing my training at [school]. I’m looking for my first company job.”

2. Why do you want this kind of work?

“I like being on my own, doing a job right, and getting it there on time.”

Or: “I like local work where I’m home every night and I know my customers.”

3. Why should we hire you?

Proof: “[X] years, no preventable accidents.” “I do a full pre-trip every time.” “I’ve backed into tight customer docks in [city] for years.” Only say what’s true and checkable.

4. What are you strongest at, and what are you working on?

“I’m strongest at backing and tight docks. I’m working on my hazmat endorsement.”

New driver: “I’m strongest at my pre-trip. I’m working on backing, and I take extra time to get out and look.”

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

“Driving dedicated for a carrier I trust.” Or: “Training new drivers.” Or: “Owner-operator.” Pick the honest one.

Close: “I’m looking for [OTR / regional / local] work out of [area], [home time]. I can start [date].”

Write your own script, or let Seenly’s AI build a draft from your answers that you edit. Either way, check that every line is true and sounds like you. General version: what to say in a video resume.

Filming tips for drivers

Never record while driving. Federal rules prohibit CMV drivers from using a hand-held phone while driving, and that includes sitting at a light or stopped in traffic.^[4] Park first.
Parked, engine off, in a safe spot. The cab is a good studio. Park so daylight hits your face through the windshield.
Kill the noise. Engine, APU, reefer unit, CB radio. Shut off what you can.
Phone upright at eye level. Prop it on the dash.
Standing by the truck is fine if it’s quiet and you’re out of traffic. A truck stop lot usually isn’t.

Setup: how to make a video resume on your phone.

What not to show

Your license or medical card up close. They have personal details. Just say what’s on them.
Bills of lading, seal numbers, customer names, or delivery addresses. That’s your current customer’s business.
Your ELD screen or logs.
Your current carrier’s name and DOT number on the door if they don’t know you’re looking. Film from an angle that leaves it out.
Anything unsafe. No phone in hand behind the wheel, no shortcuts on coupling.

After you go live on Seenly you get one link, like seenly.live/u/your-name. You can see a real one at David’s profile.

Text it to a recruiter before or after the first call.
Paste it into the “website” field on driver applications.
Put it at the top of your PDF resume.
Send it when you message a local company directly about a driving job.

Driving dump, concrete, or material delivery for a contractor? The construction video resume guide covers what job-site supers listen for.

How it works on Seenly

Sign up with Google or email.
Build your draft: photo, name, city, the job titles you want, and the five prompts.
Add one video. Record it right on the page or upload it from Photos (.mp4 or .mov). Aim for 60–90 seconds; the limit is 2 minutes.
Go live when you’re ready. Seenly Pro is $7.99/month with a 7-day free trial. Going live gives you a public link like seenly.live/u/your-name, share buttons, and a pin on the talent map. Until then your draft stays free and unlisted, and no card is needed.

Sources

49 CFR 383.153: endorsement codes (T, P, N, H, X, S) and restriction codes (including L, E, O) on the CDL. ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-383/subpart-J/section-383.153
49 CFR 391.41: drivers subject to Part 391 must be medically certified and carry a current medical examiner’s certificate. ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-391/subpart-E/section-391.41
49 CFR 380.603 and 380.609: entry-level driver training on and after February 7, 2022, from a provider on the Training Provider Registry, for first-time Class A or B CDLs and upgrades. ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-380/subpart-F/section-380.609
49 CFR 392.82: no hand-held mobile phone use while driving a CMV, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic or a traffic control device. ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-392/subpart-H/section-392.82

Sources checked October 7, 2026. Rules change, so confirm licensing details with the agency that issues them.

FAQ

Should I say my endorsements in the video?

Yes. Say your class and your endorsements in the first sentence. They decide what freight you can haul, so recruiters want them first.

I have a restriction on my CDL. Should I mention it?

Yes, briefly and plainly, for example “automatic only.” It’s on your license anyway, and being upfront saves everyone a wasted call.

Can I record my video in the truck?

Yes, parked with the engine off. Never record while driving. Federal rules ban hand-held phone use while driving a CMV, even when you’re stopped in traffic.

I’m a brand-new driver. What do I talk about?

Where you did your entry-level training, when you got your CDL, your class and endorsements, and what kind of first job you want. Show you’re safe and coachable.

Is Seenly free?

Your draft and video are free and unlisted. To get a public link and a pin on the talent map, go live with Seenly Pro: $7.99/month with a 7-day free trial. No card until then.