Women Truck Drivers

With great strides being made in the trucking industry, more women are attending CDL training schools to get their Class-A CDL. Women truck drivers are skilled and a great asset to an industry in need of well trained, high performing truck drivers.

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About Women in Trucking

Across the United States, over 200,000 women have made truck driving their career. They make up to 4.7% of the driver force, a number that continues to grow. Some female truck drivers enter the industry because a family member was a trucker, others are enticed by the call of the open road, flexible schedules, job availability and competitive salaries.

Money is the most common reason for women to begin a trucking career. Due to the level playing field and the “equal pay for equal work” concept, many women choose trucking after their kids are grown or after a divorce. A woman who is married to a trucker could drive with her husband, allowing the couple to make more money while still spending time together.

Another benefit to women truck drivers is that the trucking industry likes to promote within. Women who start off in truck driving may eventually work in positions other than driving. Women have the opportunity to be involved in dispatch, sales, marketing, recruiting, management and owning their own fleet.

Being a female truck driver in a predominantly male industry presents its own unique set of issues and circumstances. To avoid uncomfortable situations, women and men truck drivers should follow these steps:

  • Act professional. Have and project self-confidence in your job and your abilities. Utilize good eye contact and maintain a professional demeanor.
  • Avoid danger. Never advertise that you are alone. Always know your surroundings and always follow your gut instinct.
  • Remain calm in emergency situations. Breakdowns will happen. When they do, notify your driver manager or company’s repair shop. In the event of an emergency, notify the appropriate personnel. If possible, stay with your truck and trailer and never climb into a stranger’s vehicle.
  • Don’t take shortcuts. While back roads can shorten long trips, back roads are not always well maintained and it’s easy to get lost. In addition, most back roads do not have places to accommodate parking or fueling and emergency personnel are not readily available.
  • Plan your trips. Before heading out, plan your trip well. Obtain your own set of driving instructions instead of relying on someone else’s interpretation of how to get from point a to point b.
  • Always be visible. Park at the front of the truck stop and under a light post whenever possible and always make sure to lock your doors.

CDL Training Today knows that women make great professional truck drivers and would like to increase the opportunities for women in the trucking industry. Fill out our quick search application at the top of this page for more information!

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