Trucking’s Top Rookie winner receives $10,000

2018-2 rookie logo 750 2 (2)

Nominations are now open for the 2018 Mike O’Connell Trucking’s Top Rookie Award presented by Truckers News.

Ten finalists will be named July 30, and 2018’s top rookie will be announced Aug. 24 at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas. All nominations are due in to Truckers News by the close of business at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 29, 2018.

Julie Matulle was named top rookie driver in 2014.Julie Matulle was named top rookie driver in 2014.

The winner receives $10,000 in cash and a variety of merchandise prizes; runners up each receive $1,000 and a prize package.

Click here to make a nomination and to see the contest rules.

Partnering with Truckers News in the search are the three national organizations overseeing truck driver training:

  • Commercial Vehicle Training Association
  • National Association Of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools
  • Professional Truck Driver Institute

Recognizing the top rookie driver was the idea of the late Mike O’Connell, who was formerly the executive director of the Commercial Vehicle Training Association. He believed that honoring a top rookie driver helped show new drivers they are appreciated by the trucking industry.

So, eight years ago, Randall-Reilly, parent company of Truckers News, pursued that suggestion, and today the Trucking’s Top Rookie contest focuses attention on the professionalism of drivers in the industry for less than a year. It also promotes truck driving as a viable career choice during a time when there is a shortage of drivers.

Any CDL holder who has graduated from a PTDI certified, or NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school within the past year and has been employed by a trucking company for less than one year, is eligible for the award.

An expert panel of judges, which includes representatives from motor carriers, schools (both public and private), suppliers and trade associations, will identify 10 finalists. Among the criteria those judges will consider when choosing 2018’s Trucking’s Top Rookie are:

  • Availability for loads                                                                              
  • On time delivery      
  • Highway safety performance
  • Customer relations
  • Work record
  • Non-job related activities