Women Truck Drivers at Swift

You might not hear much about female truck drivers, but at Swift, we're more than 1,300 strong, not including the 1,300-plus women on our driver support staff (and our numbers are growing all the time). And with special programs, great benefits, and plenty of time at home, it's no wonder.  

If you're on the fence about a career in trucking, Loren, one of our newer drivers, had this to say: "Yes, I 100% think that trucking is a great opportunity for women!" So let's take a look at just a few of the things that make Swift one of the best places for female truck drivers – and why so many women like Loren are making trucking their new career. 

Professional Trainers Who Care About Your Success

We all know how scary it can be to try something new – and we've all been right where you are now. Wondering what training will be like and if we have what it takes to make it as a female truck driver. Well, we're here to tell you that you do – and our instructors will be there for you every step of the way.

The first step to getting a rig and a route of your own is to earn your Class A CDL, which you can do at a Swift Academy in as little as three weeks. Depending on where you live, you may have to travel to another state or just across town, but with 10 convenient locations across the country, it's easy to find an Academy near you.

During your time at the Academy, you'll meet other students, caring, experienced, professional truck drivers and instructors who know what it's like to be new to driving and life on the road – and they can help you find ways to balance your home life with your work life.

Scholarships for New Drivers 

We know money can hold you back from doing what you want, which is why we offer tuition assistance and scholarship programs. Not only that, but we'll cover the cost of your accommodations while you're training at a Swift Academy, as well as transportation to and from Academy – making it easier and more affordable to get the training you need. 

Female Mentors Who Will Support Your Growth

At Swift, we want you to succeed and be happy, which is why we won't just give you the keys to a rig and send you on your way the day after graduation. Instead, we'll pair you with a mentor who can help you gain the skills and confidence to handle any situation on the road. This means doing our best to connect you with a professional female truck driver (if you'd like), so  you can learn from women drivers who have been in your exact same position and will be there to support you – every mile, every day – long after your mentorship has ended.  

In the words of one female truck driver, Terri S., who is not only a former mentor, but a Million Mile Driver, if "you listen to what your Mentor tells you to do, sky's the limit, ain't nothing to it. Just get in and do it. Just be safe. Safety is the most important thing in driving a truck. Safety. Always safety. You have to make that choice." With a laser focus on safety, our mentors will help you become the best driver you can be, so you can reach all your goals – near term and long term.

After becoming comfortable on the road and gaining  some experience, you can also become a mentor and help new drivers become safer and more confident behind the wheel. (Note: If you decide to become a mentor, you'll also earn more. For details talk with your driver leader.) 

Great Salaries for a Great Life

As women, we often have to ask for (or demand) equal pay for equal work. It's uncomfortable and, to put it bluntly, it's wrong. At Swift, we have always believed that everyone should be treated equally – and that includes empowering you to earn a good living doing a job you love. Because we recognize the value and importance of all our staff and drivers, we work to ensure that women in trucking earn the same salary a male driver would earn. One of the ways we do this is by basing our drivers' salaries entirely on experience and the type of route you drive. (Check our Salary page for details on our highest-paying jobs.) Best of all, as one of the largest carriers in the industry, we have the freight to keep you moving and making money.

The Job You REALLY Want, Even If It Changes Over Time 

Whether you're looking for your dream job or just a better life, you've just earned your CDL or you're an experienced driver, we offer a wide range of options for women truck drivers that can help you achieve your goals and make the most of every stage of life. From Express routes to long-haul OTR opportunities, solo options to teams, our driving jobs for women (and men) allow you to work in the way that suits your lifestyle best. 

In addition, we understand that lives and families change, so as your personal needs shift, we can help you make professional changes to meet those needs. In fact, we have a long, proud history of promoting from within, so if you'd ever like to leave driving behind, you have options – from hire to retire – and you won't have to leave Swift.  

One valuable team member who has been at Swift for several years decided that after driving, she'd become a driver manager – and she did. But it wasn't the right fit. So Summer, talking with her supervisors one day, jokingly made up a position for herself. She wanted to work in the office but still drive – and not work on a computer all day. After leaving her boss behind, he thought about it and called her back in, asking if she'd really like to work in the office. According to Summer, "I interviewed. And then like that day, I had four more interviews for four different positions." After her interviews, Summer accepted a Driver Manager position and eventually became a Casual Driver and an ECT Lead.

Better Equipment for a Happier Life on the Road

Because your safety and comfort matter, we use late-model Freightliner, Kenworth, International and Volvo tractors—92% of which are less than five years old. For many of our women truck drivers, what sets these tractors apart from others on the road is how comfortable they are to use. Not only do they have automatic transmissions, but they boast ergonomic seats for added comfort, plus refrigerators so you can keep healthy foods handy, memory foam mattresses for a better night's sleep, and more – all of which makes life on the road more like life at home.

Along with giving you a safe, reliable tractor, we also make sure that you're fully supported on the road. With our Driver App and Extended Coverage Team, you can talk with a living, breathing, caring human 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This way, you can access Terminal information, resources and connect with our Driver Support Staff any time – day or night.  

Home Time Because Home Always Matters

Like you, and so many other women in trucking, we've been worried about whether we're spending enough time at home, but we have programs in place to reduce that stress. Because we understand how important it is to be at home with your family, to spend time with friends and to just relax and recharge, we make sure that all of our drivers can achieve the work-life balance they need to be happy and fulfilled. 

One of the ways we do this is by offering a wide range of driving opportunities. For those who want to be home daily or weekly, we have hundreds of dedicated routes that can ensure you meet your home time goals. Or, if you want a little more time on the road, our over-the-road jobs will have you home once every three to four weeks. Of course, if you need additional home time, you can always talk with your driver leader who will work to help you find just the right balance so you can create the life you want.

Safe Facilities Wherever the Road Takes You

We know how important it is for all our drivers to have a safe place to relax and unwind on the road, but this issue is often particularly important to our female truck drivers. To help keep you safe and comfortable on the road, the  Swift Terminal network includes more than 40 locations throughout the country where you can find secure, well-lit facilities with all the amenities you need to take care of your truck, your tractor, and yourself. Many of our Terminals feature:

• Wi-Fi 
• Hot private showers
• Laundry facilities
• Cafes
• Gyms
• Health clinics
• Service shops
• Parts supplies
• Body shops
• Hair services (select locations)
• Women's apparel: Available online and at the Phoenix Terminal

This way, you can get everything you need at a safe, friendly facility even when you're miles from home. For more information on our commitment to safety, visit our Safety page.

World-Class Benefits to Support Your Wellbeing

For so many women in trucking, it can be hard to find time to take care of yourself and your family. But at Swift, we make it easy. Our comprehensive, customizable benefits package gives you access to quality care and so much more – whether you're single, married or have children. Currently, it includes:

• Medical plans
• Prescription drug plan
• Dental plan
• Vision plan
• 401(k)
• Employee assistance program
• Employee stock purchase program
• Fully paid college tuition program

Getting Started

For more information on becoming a driver at Swift, as well as additional details on our special programs and services for female truck drivers, please call 888-871-3537 . 

Women in Trucking

Sharing stories and providing support are just some of the things our community of women truck drivers is known for. Watch our videos to find out more about the incredibly smart, strong women we're proud to know.