When and where to put your driver's license on your resume

Put your driver's license on your resume only if the job posting or job description mentions driving as part of the role, or if you are explore to a position where a valid license is a legal requirement. Examples include delivery driver, commercial truck driver, rideshare driver, school bus driver, or sales roles that involve regular travel between client sites. Do not list it on every resume — it clutters the document and signals you do not read job postings carefully.

When you do include it, list your license in a dedicated section near the top of your resume, after your contact information and before your work history. Title the section "Licenses & Certifications" or "Driver's License" and include your state, license class (if relevant), and expiration date. You do not need to include your license number.

If you hold a commercial driver's license (CDL) or a specialized license class (such as Class A, B, or C), always include it — these are credentials that directly affect which jobs you can legally hold. A standard Class D passenger license is less critical to list unless the job posting specifically asks for it.

Key Takeaways

  • List your driver's license only when the job posting mentions driving duties or requires a valid license as a legal condition of employment.
  • Include your state, license class, and expiration date in a "Licenses & Certifications" section placed after your contact information.
  • Always list a commercial driver's license (CDL) or specialized class license, as these are credentials that determine which roles you can legally perform.
  • Do not include your license number, date of birth, or address on your resume — this is unnecessary personal information that creates a security risk.
  • If your license is expired or will expire within three months, do not list it; update your license first or note the renewal date if you are in the process.

What information to include and what to leave out

Include only four pieces of information: your state, your license class, your expiration date, and any relevant endorsements (such as air brake certification for CDL holders). Format it straightforward: "Driver's License: State of [State], Class [Class], Expires [Month/Year]." If you hold endorsements, add them on the same line or the line below: "Endorsements: Air Brakes, Hazmat."

Do not include your license number, date of birth, address, or any other identifying information beyond what is listed above. Employers do not need these details at the resume stage, and including them creates an unnecessary security risk. They will request your full license information during the background check phase if they move forward with your candidacy.

If your license is expired, do not list it on your resume. If it expires within the next three months and you have already submitted a renewal process, you may note the renewal date in parentheses: "Driver's License: State of [State], Class [Class], Expires [Month/Year] (renewal pending)." However, most hiring managers will assume an expired or soon-to-expire license means you cannot start the job, so renew before explore if possible.

How to format the licenses section

Place your licenses section after your contact information and professional summary (if you have one), but before your work history. This placement signals that your license is a credential relevant to the role, not an afterthought. Use the same font and formatting as the rest of your resume — no bold, no color, no special styling unless your entire resume uses consistent formatting.

If you have multiple licenses or certifications, list them in order of relevance to the job. A CDL goes first if you are explore for a driving role. A standard driver's license goes last if you also hold professional certifications unrelated to driving. Keep the section brief — two to four lines maximum. If you have more than three licenses or certifications, move the less relevant ones to a separate "Additional Certifications" section at the bottom of your resume.

Here is an example of a properly formatted licenses section:

Licenses & Certifications Commercial Driver's License: State of California, Class A, Expires 06/2027 Endorsements: Air Brakes, Hazmat, Tanker First Aid/CPR Certification, American Red Cross, Expires 03/2026

State-specific license classes and what they mean

Driver's license classes vary by state, and some employers care about the specific class you hold. A Class D (or equivalent) is a standard passenger vehicle license and is the most common. A Class C in some states covers the same vehicles as Class D in others — check your state's DMV website to confirm what your class covers. A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required to operate vehicles over a certain weight (usually 26,001 pounds or more) and is legally mandatory for truck drivers, bus drivers, and some delivery roles.

If you are explore for a job that specifies a license class in the posting, match that language exactly on your resume. If the posting says "Class A CDL required," write "Commercial Driver's License: State of [State], Class A, Expires [Date]." If it says "valid driver's license," a Class D is sufficient and you can straightforward write "Driver's License: State of [State], Expires [Date]."

Some states use different naming conventions — for example, New York uses "Class D" while California uses "Class C" for standard passenger vehicles. When you list your license, always include your state so the employer knows which state's standards your license meets. This is especially important if you are explore to a job in a different state than where your license was issued.

When not to list your driver's license

Do not list your driver's license if the job does not require or mention driving. Office jobs, remote positions, and roles where you work at a fixed location do not need to see your license on your resume. Including it signals that you either did not read the job posting or do not understand what information is relevant to the role.

Do not list your license if it is suspended, revoked, or expired. If you are in the process of restoring a suspended license, wait until it is fully restored before explore to driving positions. Employers will conduct a background check and will discover the suspension; listing an invalid license damages your credibility.

Do not list your license if you are explore to a position outside the United States. International employers may not recognize U.S. state license classes, and some countries require an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your U.S. license. Research the employer's country and check whether your U.S. license is valid there before including it on your resume.

How to handle multiple licenses or a recent upgrade

If you recently upgraded from a standard license to a CDL, list only the CDL on your resume — the upgrade supersedes the previous license and you no longer hold the Class D. If you hold licenses in multiple states (for example, you moved and have not yet surrendered your old license), list only the license for the state where you currently reside or where the job is located. Listing multiple licenses creates confusion and suggests you may not be legally authorized to drive in the state where the job is.

If you hold a CDL with multiple endorsements, list the endorsements that are relevant to the job. If you are explore for a hazmat tanker truck role, list "Endorsements: Hazmat, Tanker." If you are explore for a school bus role, list "Endorsement: Passenger" (if your state requires it). Do not list every endorsement you hold — only the ones that matter for the specific job.

If your license is in a different name than the one on your resume (for example, you changed your name after marriage), note this in your cover letter or during the interview. Do not try to hide it — employers will discover it during the background check and it will raise questions. A straightforward note like "My driver's license is under my maiden name, [Name]" prevents confusion and shows transparency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I include my driver's license if I have a suspended or revoked license?

No. Do not list a suspended or revoked license on your resume. Employers will run a background check and will discover the suspension; listing an invalid license damages your credibility. Wait until your license is fully restored before explore to driving positions. If you are currently in the restoration process, you can mention this in your cover letter, but do not list the license itself on your resume.

Do I need to include my license expiration date?

Yes. Include the expiration date so the employer knows your license will be valid when you start the job. If your license expires within three months of your process, renew it first. If you have already submitted a renewal process, you may note "renewal pending" in parentheses, but most hiring managers will assume an expiring license is a problem and may pass on your candidacy.

What if the job posting says "valid driver's license required" but does not specify a class?

A standard Class D (or equivalent in your state) is sufficient. Write "Driver's License: State of [State], Expires [Date]." You do not need to list the class if it is a standard passenger vehicle license. If you hold a CDL, list it as "Commercial Driver's License" because it is a higher credential and shows you meet the requirement.

Can I list my driver's license on my resume if I am still waiting for it to arrive in the mail?

No. Do not list your license until you physically have it and can confirm the expiration date and license number. If you have passed the written and driving test and are waiting for the physical card, you can mention in your cover letter that you have passed the licensing exam and are awaiting the card, but do not list it on your resume as a credential you currently hold.

Should I include my driver's license if I am explore for a job in a different state?

Yes, but include your current state on the resume. If you are relocating, mention this in your cover letter so the employer knows you will be a legal driver in their state. Some states have reciprocity agreements that recognize out-of-state licenses; others require you to obtain a license in the new state within a certain timeframe. Research your destination state's requirements and address this in your cover letter if relevant.