National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs September 12–18, 2027, a yearly thank-you to the drivers who haul almost everything Americans buy. The American Trucking Associations started it in 1988.
Second Full Week of September
Every September, it covers the second full week, Sunday to Saturday. The week ran September 9 to 15 in 2018 and September 13 to 19 in 2026.
ATA, the industry’s national trade group, still leads it. Federal safety regulators join in each year.
In 2026, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration posted a video message from Administrator Derek Barrs. It also asked people to use #NTDAW26.
Launched by ATA in 1988
Drivers were the focus from the start. ATA set up the week in 1988 to honor their work, and companies across the freight business now mark it every September.
Some years go big. In 2018, live satellite broadcasts ran from a YRC Freight terminal in Columbus, Ohio, and billboards went up in 12 cities.
Chris Spear, ATA’s president and CEO, said that year that drivers “are an integral part of the nation’s growing economy.”
Federal agencies now add their own messages. FMCSA’s 2026 page said drivers “make sacrifices every day” so goods arrive safely.
Policy got a mention too. FMCSA’s page pointed readers to pilot programs and regulatory updates that it said aim to improve life on the road.
Why Drivers Deserve Thanks
Communities depend on them. More than 80% of U.S. communities get their freight only by truck, ATA says.
Counts vary by source. ATA puts the number of professional truck drivers at 3.6 million, while FMCSA says more than 3.5 million.
Heavy and tractor-trailer drivers make up a big share. They held about 2.2 million jobs in 2025, BLS figures show.
Pay for those drivers had a median of $58,640 a year in May 2025.
Demand stays steady. BLS expects about 214,500 openings a year over the next decade, as jobs grow 4% from 2025 to 2035.
Turnover drives most of that hiring. Growth alone adds only about 83,800 jobs over the whole decade, BLS projects.
Freight loads are enormous. Drivers move more than 10 billion tons a year, supporting 7.5 million jobs across the industry.
Dave Manning, then ATA’s chairman and head of TCW Inc., used that tonnage figure to make the case for thanking drivers.
Licensing is required. Every long-haul driver must hold a commercial driver’s license, BLS notes.
Ways to Thank a Driver
Most drivers spend the week on the road, so small gestures count. Safe driving around big rigs is one of the best.
- Give trucks extra room on the highway and stay out of their blind spots.
- Thank a delivery driver who stops at your home or business, in person or with a note.
- Leave a note, a cold drink or a snack for drivers at your company’s loading dock.
- Share a thank-you post with #NTDAW and tag a trucking company.
- Encourage someone looking for steady work to look into CDL training.
- Ask your employer whether it hosts a driver appreciation lunch, and offer to help organize one.
- Teach new drivers in your family how to share the road with trucks safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who started National Truck Driver Appreciation Week?
The national trucking industry association.
Do I need a special license to drive a big rig?
Yes. Long-haul drivers need a commercial license.
Is it only for long-haul drivers?
No. Local and delivery drivers are honored too.
Is there an official hashtag?
Each year has one, usually NTDAW plus the year.
Can the public join in?
Absolutely. A thank-you at a rest stop or a delivery counts.