Driving Skills
Do you need driving skills to function well in your job role? This article provides a guide on how you can develop the skills and include them on your resume.
What are Driving Skills?
Driving skills refer to the abilities and techniques required to operate a vehicle safely and efficiently. These skills include knowledge of traffic laws and regulations, being able to react appropriately to changing road conditions and controlling the vehicle’s various situations.
Some drivers may operate larger vehicles like trucks or buses. Those with driving skills often hold positions as truck drivers, delivery drivers, or bus drivers for the city or schools. Driving skills can include strong knowledge of traffic laws, maintenance knowledge, and problem-solving skills. Many drivers obtain these skills from education, and on-the-job training or they may naturally develop them.
Some specific driving skills include:
- Starting and stopping the vehicle smoothly and efficiently.
- Turning, backing up, and changing lanes safely.
- Maintaining a safe following distance and speed.
- Anticipating and reacting to the actions of other drivers and pedestrians.
- Recognizing and responding to traffic signals and signs.
- Adjusting speed and driving style to match weather and road conditions.
- Using signals, headlights, and other vehicle controls appropriately.
Developing good driving skills requires practice and experience, and knowledge of traffic laws and regulations. It is important for drivers to continually improve their skills and stay up-to-date on safe driving practices.
Importance of Driving Skills
- Safe driving: Proper driving skills help to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries on the road. This is important not only for the safety of the driver, but also for the safety of other people on the road, including passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers.
- Legal compliance: Knowing and following traffic laws and regulations is essential to being a safe and responsible driver. Having good driving skills helps to ensure that you comply with these laws and regulations, which can help you avoid traffic citations and other legal consequences.
- Efficient driving: Good driving skills can help you save time and fuel by driving more efficiently. This can include techniques such as anticipating traffic patterns, maintaining a consistent speed, and avoiding sudden stops and starts.
- Comfort and confidence: Knowing how to drive well can give you confidence behind the wheel and make driving more enjoyable. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety while driving, particularly in challenging traffic or weather conditions.
- Independence: Being able to drive gives you the freedom and independence to go where you want when you want. This can be particularly important for people who live in areas with limited public transportation options.
- Employment opportunities: Many jobs require a driver’s license or good driving skills, so having these skills can open up new employment opportunities.
- Emergencies: In an emergency, such as a natural disaster or other crisis, having good driving skills can be essential for getting to safety or helping others.
- Personal and societal benefits: Good driving skills can contribute to a safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation system, which can have a positive impact on society as a whole.
How to Improve your Driving Skills
Below are ways to improve your driving skills:
Practice regularly: The more you drive, the more comfortable and confident you will become behind the wheel. Find a safe, empty parking lot or a quiet residential area to practice in.
Take a driver’s education course: These courses can teach you important driving skills and familiarize you with traffic laws and regulations.
Pay attention to your surroundings: Always keep your eyes on the road and be aware of what’s happening around you. This includes checking your mirrors frequently and watching for pedestrians, other vehicles, and potential hazards.
Follow road rules: Obey traffic laws and signals, and maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles.
Apply good driving habits: Ensure to keep your hands on the steering wheel, avoid distractions such as texting or eating while driving, and do not drink and drive.
Stay calm: If you are in a difficult or stressful driving situation, try to remain calm and focus on the task. Taking deep breaths or using relaxation techniques can help.
Learn from your mistakes: If you make a mistake while driving, try to learn from it and avoid making the same mistake again in the future.
By following these tips and practicing good driving habits, you can improve your driving skills and become a safer, more confident driver.
Jobs that Require Driving Skills
Different jobs that require driving skills, some of them are:
Delivery driver: These individuals transport packages and goods to different locations, either locally or over long distances.
Truck drivers: These professionals operate large commercial vehicles, such as tractor-trailers, to transport goods across the country.
Bus drivers: These individuals operate buses to transport passengers, either locally or on long-distance routes.
Taxi or ride-share drivers: These professionals provide transportation services to passengers in their vehicles, using apps such as Uber or Lyft.
Emergency medical technician (EMT): EMTs transport patients to medical facilities in ambulances and provide basic medical care during transport.
Sales representative: Sales reps often travel to visit clients and may need to drive to various locations to meet with them.
Real estate agent: Real estate agents often drive clients to properties for sale or rent and may need to travel long distances to show properties.
Field service technician: These professionals may need to drive to different locations to repair or maintain equipment or machines.
Delivery or courier service owner: These individuals own and operate their delivery or courier service, driving to pick up and deliver packages and goods.
How to Include Driving Skills on Your Resume
To include driving skills on your resume, you can follow these steps:
- Determine the relevance of your driving skills to the job you are applying for. If the job requires driving as a primary responsibility, it is important to highlight your driving skills prominently on your resume.
- List any professional driving certifications or licenses you have obtained, such as a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Be sure to include the type of license and any endorsements you have.
- Describe any relevant experience you have driving for work or personal purposes. For example, you could mention any experience driving long distances, driving in difficult conditions, or driving various vehicles.
- Consider including any safety training or courses you have completed related to driving.
- Highlight driving skills as it may help the employer point out your strong driving skills. Some examples of driving skills are Navigation, Parking, Acceleration, Turning, Braking, Observation, Etc.
If you have a clean driving record, you may want to mention this as it can be a positive attribute for some employers.
Examples of How to Include Driving Skills on Your Resume
Delivery Driver Resume Sample
- Possess a clean record and valid driver’s license with endorsements for operating a commercial vehicle.
- Extensive experience driving various delivery vehicles, including box trucks, vans, and pick-up trucks.
- Proficient in navigating unfamiliar routes using GPS and map reading skills.
- Demonstrated ability to safely operate a vehicle in heavy traffic, adverse weather conditions, and tight spaces.
- Trained in defensive driving techniques and certified in emergency response procedures.
- Maintained excellent communication with the dispatch team and provided timely updates on delivery status.
- Adhered to all traffic laws and regulations, including DOT regulations for hours of service and vehicle maintenance.
- Completed a driver’s training course and received a CDL license.
Truck Driver Resume Sample
- Operated a tractor-trailer for over ten years, consistently adhering to all traffic laws and regulations and maintaining a clean driving record
- Demonstrated advanced driving skills in challenging road conditions, including icy roads and heavy traffic
- Successfully navigated through city streets and highways, accurately utilizing GPS systems and maps to reach delivery locations
- Trained in defensive driving techniques, consistently anticipating and avoiding potential hazards on the road
- Mastered backing up and maneuvering in tight spaces, consistently completing deliveries without incidents or damages to vehicles
- Possessed strong communication skills, consistently maintaining contact with dispatch and communicating with other drivers on the road
- Implemented safety measures in all driving situations, including proper cargo loading and securing, vehicle inspections, and adherence to hours-of-service regulations
Emergency Medical Technician Resume Sample
- Possess a valid driver’s license and an excellent driving record, with experience driving ambulances in urban and rural environments.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate unfamiliar routes quickly and efficiently, using GPS and other mapping tools.
- Trained in defensive driving techniques, including how to safely transport patients while maintaining control of the vehicle.
- Experience driving in adverse weather conditions, including heavy rain, snow, and ice.
- Familiar with ambulance equipment, including radios, sirens, and other emergency signaling devices.
- Maintained strict compliance with traffic laws and regulations, including speed limits and traffic signals.
- Regularly participated in driving drills and simulations to hone driving skills and maintain a high level of preparedness.
- Assisted with vehicle maintenance and upkeep, including checking fluids and tires, and performing basic repairs as needed.
How to Demonstrate Driving Skills in an Interview
In an interview, you can demonstrate your driving skills by talking about your experience and highlighting any relevant training you may have received. Some specific ways you could demonstrate your driving skills include:
- Describe any professional driving experience you have had: This could include any jobs you have held that required you to drive as a part of your responsibilities. You could also talk about any experience you have had driving various vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses, or forklifts.
- Describe any driving-related training you have received: If you have received any formal training in driving, such as a defensive driving course or a commercial driver’s license, you should mention this in your interview.
- Discuss your driving habits and safety record: You could talk about how you always follow traffic laws and practice safe driving habits, such as wearing your seatbelt and using turn signals. If you have a clean driving record, you could mention it.
- Provide examples of times when you demonstrated good driving skills: You could describe a time when you had to react quickly to a potentially dangerous situation while driving or when you had to use good judgment to avoid an accident.
Examples of Interview Questions to Test Driving Skills
Here are some examples of interview questions that to test driving skills, along with some guidelines for answering them:
Describe a time when you had to react quickly while driving. How did you handle the situation and what was the outcome?
To answer this question, you should describe a specific situation in which you had to react quickly while driving. Explain the steps you took to handle the situation and the outcome. Make sure to emphasize your quick thinking and good decision-making skills.
How do you handle difficult or aggressive drivers on the road?
To answer this question, you should describe the steps you take to remain calm and composed in the face of difficult or aggressive drivers. This may include techniques such as taking deep breaths, staying focused on the road ahead and avoiding any confrontational or retaliatory behavior.
Describe a situation where you had to make a split-second decision while driving. How did you handle it and what was the outcome?
To answer this question, you should describe a specific situation where you had to make a quick decision while driving. Explain the steps you took to handle the situation and the outcome. Make sure to emphasize your ability to think on your feet and make sound decisions under pressure.
How do you handle distractions while driving, such as cell phone use or passengers in the car?
To answer this question, you should describe the steps you take to minimize distractions while driving. This may include turning off your phone or putting it in a location where you cannot reach it while driving, setting clear rules with passengers about what is acceptable behavior in the car, and focusing on the road at all times.
Describe when you had to navigate unfamiliar roads or deal with adverse weather conditions while driving. How did you handle the situation and what was the outcome?
To answer this question, you should describe a specific situation in which you had to navigate unfamiliar roads or deal with adverse weather conditions while driving. Explain the steps you took to handle the situation and the outcome. Make sure to emphasize your ability to stay calm and focused under challenging circumstances and make good decisions based on the conditions you were facing.