The trucking industry is more diverse than ever before, and female truck drivers are making a big impact. To those who ask, “Are there female truck drivers?” or “Can women be truck drivers?”, it’s important to know that women are constantly becoming more of a presence in the industry.

What percentage of truck drivers are female? According to a July 2023 report from Women in Trucking data, more than 12% of professional commercial driver’s license-holding drivers who drive heavy-duty trucks are female. That’s up from the percentage of female truck drivers of 8% in 2018. Plus, more than 43% of overall dispatchers are women, which means women are prevalent throughout the industry and an important part of successful trucking operations.

At Swift Transportation, all our workers play an important role in our truck driving operations. As a company dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), we’re grateful to the women in trucking at Swift for their impact and contributions.

Inspiring female CDL truck drivers on our team

At Swift Transportation, a major part of what we believe in is continuous learning through training opportunities and being a place for individuals to grow. Our commitment to DEI involves the ability for team members to join Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to connect with diverse coworkers across various identity groups. These groups focus on cultural education, professional development, and creative problem solving. Swift’s ERGs bring together cultural communities and their allies such as Veterans, Black-African Americans, LGBTQ+ employees, and LatinX employees.

The following are real stories from some female truck drivers on our team.

Terri S. shares her journey to top performing driver

Terri S. joined the Swift Transportation family more than 12 years ago. As one of Swift’s many successful Black female truck drivers, she’s reached the prestigious milestone of Million Mile Driver. She is recognized for her consistent safety measures and top-notch performance. She was one of the first black women drivers to join the Million Mile Driver club!

Terri has earned a spot in the top percentile of Swift’s driver workforce. She thanks Swift for having taken a chance on her despite not having experience.

“Swift is one of the companies that will give you an opportunity to learn how to drive,” Terri says. “So, after I got in and got the training, the miles, and everything I needed, I became a Diamond Driver and Million Mile Driver.”

Terri was called to a career in truck driving because of her personal ties to the industry. Her father was a truck driver for more than 37 years and her uncle for more than 42 years.