Minneapolis, Minnesota — Today, the American Trucking Associations’ Safety Management Council kicked off the driving portion of competition at the 2025 National Truck Driving Championships and Step Van Driving Championships at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
At the event, 425 of the industry’s most elite drivers, including a record 15 women, are putting their professional knowledge, safe driving skills, and vehicle readiness awareness to the test to see who will emerge as the 2025 National Truck Driving Championships Bendix Grand Champion. The competitors hail from 49 states and represent 56 companies.
“The National Truck Driving Championships brings together the nation’s top truck drivers for a thrilling display of their incomparable skills,” said Robert Foskey, NTDC Chairman. “Many of these elite competitors return year after year, giving this event the atmosphere of a family reunion. After working hard all year to hone their abilities and maintain their sterling safety records, these state champions are ready to put their knowledge and driving to the test to see who will be crowned the Grand Champion.”
The NTDC and affiliated state TDCs are considered one of the industry’s largest and most effective safety programs. During the competition, each driver undergoes a rigorous written examination, thorough pre-trip inspection test, and a challenging driving skills test.
These annual competitions held since 1937 inspire tens of thousands of drivers to operate accident-free for the right to compete. Every driver qualified for this week’s competition by winning their state truck driving championships. This year’s competitors have driven a combined 756 million accident-free miles throughout their careers.
“Skill, perseverance, and a commitment to safety are the defining traits of the trucking industry, and there is no greater demonstration of these exceptional qualities than the National Truck Driving Championships.” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “Every single one of these elite competitors is already a champion. The work that they do on a daily basis keeps our economy running and our roadways safe. Their high standard of excellence—reflected in the hundreds of millions of accident-free miles they have logged over the course of their careers—serves as an inspiration. We celebrate the professionalism, passion, and skills of these men and women, who have earned their place in trucking’s hall of fame.”
Yesterday, drivers completed a rigorous written examination on rules and regulations. Today and tomorrow, drivers conduct a comprehensive pre-trip inspection to detect vehicle malfunctions and then hop in the cab for a driving skills test where they are graded on their ability to operate a truck through a series of obstacles.
Finalists will be announced on Saturday morning, and a Grand Champion will be crowned Saturday evening. Follow ATA and #NTDC25 on social media for regular updates. Listen to NTDC’s official podcast, PodWheels, to learn more about this year’s competitors and receive on-the-ground updates from Minneapolis.