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HGV / truck driver: CV and cover letter examples

2 fully written cover letters, a ready CV with a placeholder portrait and practical tips – open the example and replace the details with yours.

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Cover letter examples

Each example is written for a different starting point. Borrow the structure, not the sentences – your own examples and numbers are what make a letter work.

1Long-haul driver moving to local workExperienced

Steve Morgan
18 Avonmouth Way
Bristol BS11 8DD
069 90009 657 · steve.morgan@example.com

Severn Haulage Ltd
Collins
Unit 12, Dockside
Bristol BS11 9FQ

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Class 1 driver – local deliveries

Dear Mr Collins,

Eleven years of long-haul work, eight of them on refrigerated runs to Scandinavia, have given me a lot of experience and very few evenings at home. Your local delivery routes would change that.

I have driven accident-free throughout my career, secure loads properly even when the customer is in a hurry, and keep my hours legal. I hold an ADR certificate and a forklift licence, and my Driver CPC is current.

I live twenty minutes from your depot and can start after one month’s notice. I am happy to do an assessment drive.

Yours sincerely,

Steve Morgan

Enclosures
CV
Licence and CPC card (copies)
ADR certificate

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2Newly qualified driverCareer change

Nicola Brown
30 Gloucester Road
Bristol BS7 8AE
089 99998 668 · nicola.brown@example.com

Avon Logistics
4 Station Road
Bristol BS2 0QA

DD Month YYYY

Application for the position of Class 2 driver (new entrant)

Dear Sir or Madam,

I passed my category C test and initial CPC in September after twelve years in warehousing. I know what happens on the loading bay when a driver is late – I was the person waiting for him.

I am looking for an employer that supports new drivers, and your advert mentions a mentoring period with an experienced driver. In the warehouse I drove counterbalance and reach trucks and packed and secured outgoing loads.

Day shifts would be ideal, but I am flexible. I would welcome an assessment drive.

Yours faithfully,

Nicola Brown

Enclosures
CV
Licence (copy)
CPC certificate
Forklift licence

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All people, companies and contact details in the examples are fictional.

CV example

A complete CV for the role – with an illustrated placeholder instead of a photo.

Preview of the CV of Steve Morgan in the Compact design
Read the CV as text

Steve Morgan

HGV driver (Class 1)

18 Avonmouth Way, Bristol BS11 8DD · 069 90009 657 · steve.morgan@example.com

Placeholder portrait: replace it with your photo in the editor, or remove it.

Work experience

  • 03/2018 – present
    Long-haul HGV driver (refrigerated)
    Nordic Cool Transport, Bristol
    • Runs to Sweden, Norway and Denmark
    • Load security and temperature records
    • Accident-free
  • 2015 – 2018
    HGV driver
    Western Freight, Bristol

Education

  • 2004 – 2009
    Secondary school
    Lawrence Weston School, Bristol

Training

  • 2024
    Driver CPC periodic training (35 hours)
  • 2025
    ADR certificate
  • 2016
    Counterbalance forklift licence

Skills

Category C+E, Load security, Refrigerated transport, Digital tachograph, Forklift

Languages

English (Native)

Interests

Fishing, model building

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Good to know

Your application in three steps

  1. Add your own photo – or none

    The example uses an illustrated placeholder. Replace it under “Choose photo” in the editor, or remove it: in the UK, US and many other countries a CV photo is not expected.

  2. Replace the details

    Name, contact, jobs, skills: everything is filled in and can be overwritten field by field.

  3. Save as PDF

    The PDF is created in your browser. Nothing is uploaded, no account needed.

What employers look for

Hauliers want drivers who are safe, punctual and good with customers. Lead with your licence categories, your Driver CPC, extra tickets such as ADR or forklift, and the kind of work you want.

  • Full licence for the vehicle class (e.g. C or C+E) and a valid tachograph card

  • Current Driver CPC or the equivalent professional qualification

  • Extra tickets: ADR, forklift, HIAB, temperature-controlled

  • Load security and drivers’ hours compliance

  • A clean driving record

Tips for your application

Do

  • Put licence classes and tickets at the top.
  • Say which routes or shifts you want.
  • Mention a clean record.

Don’t

  • Hide expired qualifications.
  • Complain about previous transport planners.
  • Leave out penalty points the employer will check anyway.
Typical interview questions

Prepare a short, honest example from your own work for each one.

  1. How would you secure a mixed load?
  2. What do you do if traffic means you will run out of hours?
  3. Which kind of work do you prefer?
  4. Have you had any accidents or incidents?

Salary expectations

If the advert asks for your salary expectations, give an annual gross figure or a range you have researched – through pay scales, salary surveys from public sources or people who do the job. If it does not ask, leave pay out of the letter; it will come up in the interview.

Frequently asked questions
Do I need a cover letter as a driver?

A short one helps: three paragraphs with your licence, experience and the work you want often get you a call faster than a CV alone.

Should I put a photo on my CV?

It depends on the country. In the UK, Ireland and the US a photo is usually left out to avoid bias, and many employers prefer CVs without one. In Germany and some other countries it is common but optional. If you use one: recent, friendly, plain background, dressed as you would be on a good day at work.

Can I copy the example letters?

Yes, they are free to use. But recruiters read a lot of letters – one with your own examples, numbers and a real reason for choosing this employer will always do better. Use the examples as scaffolding and write the sentences yourself.

Is my data stored anywhere?

No. The CV and the letter are created in your browser. Nothing is stored unless you switch on “Save the draft” in the editor – and then only on your device.

Related jobs

Finish your application

Cover letter and CV as PDF, certificates added, all in one file – small enough for any job portal.