Marion, North Carolina — Perry Carter has officially cemented his legacy at the pinnacle of American freight transport, earning the prestigious title of 2025 Professional Driver of the Year from the Truckload Carriers Association. A veteran of the United States Air Force who served from 1978 to 1984, Carter traded factory work for an office with a view behind the windshield, following in the footsteps of his trucker father. Operating out of North Carolina, the veteran CDL-A driver has accumulated an astonishing 2.8 million accident-free miles while maintaining a commitment to safety that commands respect across the entire logistics sector.

Before finding his permanent home at Cargo Transporters, Carter spent his early days running teams with his father after completing his training at Isothermal Community College in Forest City. Realizing quickly that standard OTR schedules were placing too much strain on his family life, he sought out a carrier that balanced long-haul freight with reliable home time. For the past twenty-four years, Cargo Transporters has provided that stability, allowing Carter to run a consistent schedule that gets him home nearly every single weekend—a rarity in the modern dry van segment where many truck driver jobs demand weeks away from home.

Carter’s resume now reads as a masterclass in professional driving and industry stewardship. Alongside his TCA honor, he serves as a captain on the 2024-2025 American Trucking Associations Road Team and recently claimed the 2025 DMC Insurance Driver of the Year award, making him the only driver in Cargo Transporters history to capture both top-tier accolades. Matthew Sheffield, marketing and public relations coordinator for the carrier, points out that Carter embodies the highest standards of integrity, serving not just as a reliable freight mover but as a vocal advocate for veteran causes and community service.

What This Means for Drivers

For independent contractors and company drivers grinding out the miles every week, Carter’s career proves that longevity and excellence go hand in hand with maintaining strict work-life boundaries. Dealing with stubborn urban congestion and the perpetual national shortage of safe truck parking requires the kind of deliberate patience that Carter preaches to fellow operators. When navigating heavy metro traffic, he stresses the importance of minding the surrounding space and keeping a constant swivel on four-wheelers who fail to understand the braking distances and blind spots inherent to heavy equipment. Experienced OTR truck driver professionals know that managing stress and protecting equipment on crowded interstate corridors remains a daily battle, making Carter's milestone of 2.8 million safe miles an extraordinary achievement.

Industry Reaction

Industry leaders and advocacy groups continue to praise drivers who balance exceptional freight safety records with active community outreach. Organizations like TCA and the ATA rely on ambassadors of Carter’s caliber to bridge the gap between the shipping public and the millions of professionals hauling America's freight. Beyond his work behind the wheel, Carter dedicates his personal time to supporting fellow veterans through Wreaths Across America, Purple Heart Homes, and American Warriors of Liberty, while proudly piloting Cargo Transporters' Ride of Pride trucks in 2018 and 2023. Balancing these commitments with dedicated care for his family at home, Carter demonstrates the kind of character that top-tier trucking companies hiring today look for in their premier seat holders.

Key Points

• Perry Carter was named the 2025 TCA Professional Driver of the Year and the 2025 DMC Insurance Driver of the Year.
• He has logged 2.8 million accident-free miles over a career spanning more than two decades with Cargo Transporters.
• Carter serves as a captain on the American Trucking Associations Road Team for 2024-2025.
• He actively champions veteran support organizations including Wreaths Across America, Purple Heart Homes, and American Warriors of Liberty.

Looking for a better trucking job? US Trucker's free job-matching service connects CDL-A drivers, OTR drivers, regional drivers, and owner-operators with 500+ top US carriers. Leave your details in the form on this page and a recruiter will call you within one business day. Trucking companies are hiring now.

Photo by Tim Samuel on Pexels