After two years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, driving competitions are back on the menu. The National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships will be held from August 16–20 in Indianapolis, IN. The state level competitions are held throughout the first and second quarters of the year; only the winners of these advance to the national championship.

The NTDC dates back to 1937 and aims to encourage driver safety and competence. In order to compete, drivers must maintain an accident-free year leading up to their state competitions and best their fellow drivers in those competitions. After all, to reach the level of a national champion, you first have to be a state champion!

State level competitions occur periodically leading up to the national championship. Before gearing up to compete, even at the state level, drivers must determine their state’s rules for competition. They must also make sure their records are clean, their trucks are in order, and their paperwork is up-to-date.

These driving competitions typically include a written portion, a truck examination, and a skills test. If you want to compete, you’ll have to study hard and gear up to the best of your ability. Drivers from around the country prepare for these competitions all year, so your A-game is absolutely necessary to have a shot at the podium.

There are eight equipment categories that a driver can compete in, from straight trucks to five-axles to step vans. So no matter what kind of truck you are most experienced with, you’ll have some way to show off your skills. Find out when your state is hosting local championships and start preparing today!