WASHINGTON, D.C. — The trucking industry is aggressively targeting female recruits to address a chronic driver shortage that threatens to leave 100,000 positions vacant across the country. While the American Trucking Associations reported that women accounted for only 6.7 percent of long-haul drivers as of 2019, fleets are increasingly viewing this demographic as a necessary solution to stabilize their aging workforce.

Recruiters are facing a difficult reality in trying to diversify the ranks. Ellen Voie, CEO of Women in Trucking, has spent over a decade pushing carriers to evolve their training and hiring practices. The core struggle involves shifting cultural perceptions of the profession and addressing the reality that the industry was largely built by and for men. Female drivers often show higher levels of caution on the road, resulting in fewer serious accidents, yet they remain underrepresented due to the inherent lifestyle demands of the job.

The logistical and personal sacrifices required for an OTR truck driver are significant. Ingrid Brown, CEO of Rollin’ B LLC, notes that the isolation of the road, combined with the difficulty of missing holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, creates a barrier for primary caregivers. Beyond the schedule, there is the persistent issue of safety. Organizations like S.H.E., founded by Sharae Moore, and specialized training programs like those led by Gary Hollands at the Interstate Trucking Academy, are now prioritizing self-defense and situational awareness in their curriculum to prepare women for the realities of the road.

What This Means for Drivers

For any CDL-A driver looking to enter the industry, the current hiring climate is favorable, but thorough vetting of carriers is essential. New entrants should prioritize companies that offer robust safety support and transparent policies regarding conduct. Owner-operator businesses and fleet managers are increasingly aware that retention depends on creating a culture that respects the personal time and safety of all drivers. Finding the right fit among trucking companies hiring requires looking past the sign-on bonus to identify firms with active, supportive mentorship programs for women.

Industry Reaction

Advocacy groups are pushing for more than just recruitment numbers; they are demanding a clear path to career sustainability. While some trucking schools warn students about the risks of sexual misconduct and harassment, experts like Desiree Wood of Real Women in Trucking argue that the industry needs to focus on genuine success metrics rather than just filling seats. The current push from government and private entities to study and improve the recruitment of women is a step toward modernizing an industry that has historically been slow to adapt to its changing workforce.

Key Points

• Women made up less than 7 percent of long-haul drivers in the most recent major industry data.
• Training programs are now incorporating self-defense and safety protocols as standard components of CDL instruction.
• The industry faces a potential shortfall of 100,000 drivers as it struggles with retention and recruitment.
• Legislative efforts, including federal infrastructure packages, are looking to study and incentivize the recruitment of female drivers.

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 Stephen Cheng on Pexels