Top driving skills to look for in candidates

1. Driving

Included in 28.47% of driving job postings

Listing driving as a required skill ensures applicants have the necessary background and comfort in handling vehicles. You might list specific driving skills or knowledge that you expect from employees.

In a job description, you might require applicants to have a clean driving record and defensive driving skills. You can assess this skill by checking for professional driving experience and a valid driver’s license. A road test to assess driving skills is also an option.

2. Commercial driving

Included in 26.37% of driving job postings

This skill is more specific than general driving experience. It tells job seekers they need existing experience operating a commercial vehicle. When someone already has their commercial driver’s license and real-world experience, they can often hit the road for your company faster than someone who is still learning.

In a job description, you may require a specific amount of experience based on your needs. For example, six months of commercial driving experience and familiarity with commercial driving regulations. You can assess this skill by verifying that the candidate has a CDL and contacting previous employers to confirm the commercial driving experience listed in the application.

3. Communication skills

Included in 9.59% of driving job postings

Driving might seem like a solitary job, but drivers often interact with dispatchers, other drivers and customers. Verbal communication skills help drivers convey important information to various people. Active listening ensures drivers understand important safety instructions and address customer concerns and needs.

In your job description, you can highlight the need for effective verbal communication, written communication and active listening skills. To assess communication skills during an interview, ask candidates questions that address communication skills and use a skills test to get a clearer picture of their abilities.

4. Tractor-trailer

Included in 6.41% of driving job postings

Commercial driving encompasses a wide range of vehicles, including passenger vehicles for more than 15 people. Specifying skills in a specific type of commercial vehicle targets experienced job seekers. If the candidate will drive a tractor-trailer, include it in your list of driving skills. Operating a larger vehicle often requires specialty training.

For example, you may require candidates to have at least six months of experience operating a tractor-trailer. Consider contacting references to verify candidates’ job experience listed on their resumes.

5. Customer service

Included in 6.39% of driving job postings

If your driver will interact with customers regularly, asking for customer service experience helps you screen applicants. These interpersonal skills enable candidates to understand how their passengers feel and what they need, allowing them to tailor interactions for positive experiences. By delivering exceptional customer service using the skills they already have, drivers can ensure passenger satisfaction and potentially secure repeat rides or positive reviews.

You can add a requirement for previous customer service experience in your job description and look for specific customer service duties in resumes.

6. English

Included in 4.84% of driving job postings

With a diverse workforce comes a variety of languages. Asking for fluency in English can help ensure clear and effective communication. It also allows team members to interact effectively with customers or clients.

Highlight a need for fluency in written and spoken English in your job description and consider an English language assessment to verify skills.

7. Truck driving

Included in 4.08% of driving job postings

Your driver job description will most likely mention driving in some capacity. How you phrase it depends on the specific driving duties and type of vehicle. For example, you might list truck driving skills when the position involves a larger truck as opposed to a delivery van. You can keep it general with “truck driving,” or you can get specific, such as “box truck driving.”

To assess truck driving skills, ask the candidate during the interview or conduct a road test.

8. Tanker

Included in 1.84% of driving job postings

Because tankers are large, specialty vehicles, they require special qualifications, including a tank endorsement for the CDL. A hazardous materials endorsement might also be necessary, depending on what your company hauls.

In a job description, you could ask for a CDL with a tank endorsement and one year of experience driving a tanker, then verify the correct type of license.

9. Flatbed

Included in 1.7% of driving job postings

Another type of specialty truck you might list in your skills for driving is flatbed experience. While not as large or specialized as other vehicle types, a flatbed requires specific driving skills.

Consider focusing on practical assessment during the hiring process. For example, ask candidates detailed interview questions about their experience operating a flatbed truck or administer skills tests to evaluate their proficiency directly.

10. Basic math

Included in 1.69% of driving job postings

Basic math skills can help drivers calculate mileage, track hours and estimate fuel. This data helps them stay compliant with driver regulations, such as the number of hours allowed. In some cases, they might handle transactions or calculate totals for purchases.

Consider adding a basic math test to your candidate screening processes.

11. Delivery driver experience

Included in 1.58% of driving job postings

If you’re hiring for a delivery driver position, listing this skill can help you find experienced candidates. It demonstrates applicants’ time management abilities that ensure routes stay on schedule. Candidates with this experience mayalso understand how to manage customer interactions and safely handle products to improve customer satisfaction.

Assess a candidate’s skills by checking resumes to see if they’ve worked as a delivery driver. You can also ask about techniques and challenges of delivery driving in the interview.

12. Time management

Included in 1.5% of driving job postings

Whether they’re transporting people or goods, drivers need to stay on schedule to keep customers happy and profits high. Time management skills allow drivers to complete their routes efficiently, which reduces the chances of overtime. On-time drivers also provide customers with a positive experience, increasing the likelihood of repeat business.

Assess this skill by asking candidates how they manage their time. You may also contact previous employers about time management skills to get a better idea of how well the candidate stays on track.

13. Van driver

Included in 1.43% of driving job postings

When your position involves driving a van, add this to your driving skills. This skill might apply to daycare centers, senior communities or delivery companies. While vans are smaller than trucks, it’s still helpful to have applicants with experience driving this type of vehicle.

Depending on your needs, your job description may focus on specific experience requirements, such as previous experience driving a 15-passenger van. Ask candidates to elaborate on their van driving experience during interviews.

14. Writing skills

Included in 1.41% of driving job postings

Drivers may need to complete documentation, make notes about accounts or email customers about orders. Effective writing skills also enable them to produce error-free documents.

Consider adding effective report writing skills to your job description and conducting a relevant writing test for your applicants.

15. Forklift

Included in 1.32% of driving job postings

When your driver spends time in the warehouse or helps load and unload trucks, they might need forklift driving skills. Finding a candidate with existing forklift operation skills helps them become fully productive faster with less training.

Based on your needs, you may want to add experience driving forklifts and knowledge of forklift safety to your job description. Look for forklift experience listed on resumes and conduct a forklift driving test.

16. Box truck

Included in 1.24% of driving job postings

Box trucks typically fall between a van and a tractor-trailer in terms of size. Driving a box truck might include other duties, such as unloading furniture and moving it into a customer’s home. Detail the specific duties involved in the position to help applicants determine if they’re qualified.

If you’re looking for a box truck driver, highlight the need for experience driving a box truck and moving goods off the vehicle.

17. Management

Included in 0.88% of driving job postings

Some driving jobs might include management duties. The candidate might be responsible for overseeing other drivers or warehouse staff, for instance. They might also have management duties such as handling budgets or training new hires. Detail these management responsibilities in your list of skills for driving roles.

If you’re looking for a team leader, highlight the need for experience in supervisory roles in your job descriptions, particularly training and supervising new drivers. Check applications for previous management experience or supervisory duties.

18. Computer skills

Included in 0.81% of driving job postings

Even if the majority of the job is spent behind the wheel, drivers often spend some time record-keeping behind a computer screen. They might log their hours or document details about stops in various software programs. Tablets might also be used along the route at stops. Applicants who are confident in their computer skills often ease into those duties well, which can reduce training time.

To assess this skill, consider implementing a computer skills assessment for applicants.

19. Spanish

Included in 0.8% of driving job postings

If several of the stops on the driving route are for Spanish-speaking customers, having a fluent Spanish speaker can improve outcomes. Spanish-speaking applicants are more effective at understanding and meeting these customers’ needs, reducing confusion and making them feel valued.

If Spanish fluency may be a requirement for the role, highlight this need in your job description. As part of the screening process, ask applicants to take a Spanish language test to assess their skills.

20. Bilingual

Included in 0.77% of driving job postings

Some driving jobs require interactions with a diverse group of customers. If the route includes business owners who primarily speak another language, you might look for applicants who are bilingual. This could be especially important if being fluent in a second language may improve customer service, reduce mistakes or increase sales.

If you need bilingual drivers, your job description should highlight this and state which languages the candidate needs to be fluent in, such as English and Spanish. Before hiring a candidate, consider including a language test in the desired languages.

21. GPS

Included in 0.73% of driving job postings

Effective use of a GPS enables drivers to follow their routes well and find alternate routes if they face traffic issues. It’s an invaluable tool that helps with time management. Applicants who feel comfortable with GPS technology can implement these tools immediately to maximize their effectiveness on the job.

Asking questions related to GPS use during interviews can help you assess candidates’ skills.

22. Military

Included in 0.63% of driving job postings

Time in the military can equip job seekers with leadership, teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving skills. Military service also teaches technical skills that might apply to driving. For instance, a mechanic in the military could help with vehicle upkeep. If your company works with the military, this experience can be beneficial as well.

Review military experience provided on applications or resumes and ask the candidate how they believe their military experience can apply to the position.

Related: An Employer’s Guide to Military Skill Sets: What is MOS in the Military?

23. Warehouse experience

Included in 0.58% of driving job postings

Drivers may handle some warehouse duties or interact with warehouse employees when loading or unloading. Warehouse knowledge can prepare candidates to follow safety procedures and move goods properly within the warehouse.

Some positions may require experience working in a warehouse. In these cases, make it a requirement in your job description based on how much experience you believe is required. Scan for warehouse experience or skills listed on the application to identify experienced candidates.

24. Inventory control

Included in 0.55% of driving job postings

Driving-related jobs often involve moving goods, making inventory control an essential skill. Consider adding this skill if the role includes warehouse work or loading goods onto vehicles. These skills prepare candidates to keep accurate inventory records, monitor levels and make inventory decisions.

In a job description, you may add a requirement like “Inventory counting and tracking skills using inventory control software.” Look for previous inventory duties on resumes or ask about inventory experience in driver interviews.

25. Microsoft Excel

Included in 0.55% of driving job postings

If you use Microsoft Excel to manage inventory, truck routes or budgets, include this skill in your job description. Advanced Excel functions take time to learn. Hiring a candidate who is already proficient in Excel means they can handle spreadsheet-based job duties from the beginning without a lengthy learning process.

Other top driving skills in-demand

Here are an additional 25 driving skills that are common in driving job postings on Indeed:

26. Organizational skills: Included in 0.55% of driving job postings

27. Manual transmission: Included in 0.53% of driving job postings

28. Computer literacy: Included in 0.52% of driving job postings

29. Roll-off truck: Included in 0.44% of driving job postings

30. Heavy lifting: Included in 0.4% of driving job postings

31. Mechanical knowledge: Included in 0.36% of driving job postings

32. School bus driving: Included in 0.34% of driving job postings

33. Russian: Included in 0.34% of driving job postings

34. Commercial vehicle: Included in 0.33% of driving job postings

35. Maths: Included in 0.32% of driving job postings

36. Route driving: Included in 0.31% of driving job postings

37. Microsoft Office: Included in 0.3% of driving job postings

38. Cash handling: Included in 0.3% of driving job postings

39. Bus driving: Included in 0.27% of driving job postings

40. Load and unload: Included in 0.26% of driving job postings

41. Restaurant experience: Included in 0.25% of driving job postings

42. Construction: Included in 0.24% of driving job postings

43. Leadership: Included in 0.23% of driving job postings

44. Multilingual: Included in 0.21% of driving job postings

45. Dump truck: Included in 0.21% of driving job postings

46. Sales: Included in 0.21% of driving job postings

47. Dispatching: Included in 0.2% of driving job postings

48. Courier: Included in 0.19% of driving job postings

49. Supervising experience: Included in 0.16% of driving job postings

50. Freight: Included in 0.16% of driving job postings

¹Indeed data (US), January 2023 – Dec 2023