The National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” is the premier event for professional truck drivers across the United States. Organized annually by the American Trucking Association (ATA) since 1937, the NTDC serves to showcase the exceptional skills, safety and professionalism of the nation’s top drivers.  

Beyond the competition, NTDC also provides a platform to recognize the dedication of America’s truck drivers while raising public awareness about the vital role they play in our everyday lives – from delivering critical healthcare supplies to ensuring shelves are stocked with the essentials you depend on. The NTDC doesn’t just celebrate excellence – it drives it forward. 

Professional drivers from across the U.S. come together to compete at the NTDC.

The Road to the NTDC 

Making it to NTDC is a significant achievement in itself. To qualify for nationals, drivers must first compete in their respective state truck driving championships and win one of nine competition classes: 3-axle, 4-axle, 5-axle, straight truck, twin trailers, tank truck, sleeper, flatbed or step van.  

To be eligible for the state and national TDCs, drivers must also remain accident-free for the year leading up to the competition – though many go beyond this benchmark, logging millions of accident-free miles. 

“Super Bowl of Safety” 

After the 50 state truck driving championships conclude, the top competitors head to the NTDC for four days of intense competition designed to test drivers' skills in various scenarios, including challenging obstacle courses that require precision and control.  

A series of tests including a written examination, pre-trip examination and skills test, help the 20-person committee of high-level safety professionals to judge each driver’s knowledge and professionalism. 

Drivers are tested on real-world driving challenges in a controlled environment.

The written exam kicks off the competition, drawing from the ATA’s “Facts for Drivers” handbook and covering essential information every competitor is expected to know. This written component ensures drivers have a strong foundation in the theoretical aspects of safe driving practices. 

Over the next two days, drivers participate in the pre-trip inspection and driving skills test. The pre-trip inspection tests each competitor’s ability to identify safety-related defects on their equipment – a critical skill in helping to prevent accidents on the road. Competitors focus on thoroughness and attention to detail as they can earn bonus points for discovering unintentional defects.  

The skills test is held on an indoor course with six obstacles that simulate real-world driving challenges. Drivers navigate through tight turns, reverse maneuvers, parking and other intricacies that demand precision, timing and spatial awareness. These tests reflect the everyday scenarios truck drivers face and are key to determining overall proficiency behind the wheel.  

The final day features the championship round, where top-scoring drivers from each class face off for national titles. The competition concludes with an awards banquet recognizing the best of the best, including the overall high scorer, who is crowned the National Grand Champion.  

In addition, several special honors are handed out, including the Professional Excellence Award, Vehicle Condition Award, Life-Time Volunteer Award and the Rookie of the Year Award.

The awards ceremony marks the culmination of months of hard work, recognizing excellence in every category.

XPO at the NTDC 

For XPO, the NTDC is more than just a competition — it’s an opportunity to support our drivers as they reach new milestones and recognize their dedication to providing safe, exceptional service for our customers. 

We’re proud to have a strong presence at NTDC, with numerous drivers consistently qualifying and excelling in the competition. In 2024, 22 XPO drivers from 16 states competed, including industry trailblazers like Ina Daly (Phoenix, Arizona), who in 2013 became the first woman to win a competition class at NTDC. Over the course of her career at XPO, Ina has competed in 17 national championships and was named a finalist in the flatbed competition last year. She will be seeking to repeat her success this year, having qualified for the NTDC with a first-place finish at the Arizona Truck Driving Championships in April. 

XPO also had three drivers take home top awards at the 2024 contest. Brandon Hardy (Las Vegas, Nevada) won the 5-axle class and Joe Hicks (Cranston, Rhode Island) took the title in the 4-axle class. With over two million accident-free miles, Rich Sweeney (Chicopee, Massachusetts) was an outstanding choice for the prestigious Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award, presented to the contestant who exemplifies the best attributes of a professional truck driver.  

NTDC 2025 

XPO fans – including top leaders from the company – bring the energy to NTDC. 

The 2025 National Truck Driving Championships will take place in Minneapolis, Minnesota from August 20-23, bringing with it four days of exciting competition, camaraderie and celebration of the trucking industry’s finest. 

Hundreds of attendees, from families and fans to industry leaders and media, will gather to witness America’s most elite truck drivers showcase their mastery behind the wheel. With its rigorous courses and continued emphasis on safety and excellence, NTDC 2025 is set to spotlight the very best of what it means to be a professional driver. 
 
To stay up to date on NTDC 2025 event schedules, registration and results, visit the official site at ntdc.trucking.org.