Celebrate the Achievements

The recipients of the Citizen Driver Award will enjoy the unique privilege of having a TA, Petro Stopping Center, or TA Express location named in their honor. Their inspiring stories will be shared widely, spreading awareness of their exceptional contributions to the industry and community. In addition to this recognition, each winner will receive a cash prize of $5,000, with TA contributing an additional $2,500 to a charitable organization chosen by the recipient.

Nomination Guidelines

Nominations, including self-nominations from professional drivers, are open until October 7, 2024. These submissions will be meticulously reviewed by a panel of esteemed experts within the trucking industry, ensuring the selection of the most deserving candidates.

As expressed in the announcement, “The Citizen Driver Program spotlights some of the most extraordinary drivers today and illustrates the fine examples of professionalism embedded in the truck driving profession.” Last year alone saw an impressive influx of over 150 nominations from a wide range of sources, encompassing fleet owners, professional drivers, industry associations, and suppliers.

To date, the award has celebrated 44 remarkable drivers, each contributing to the legacy of excellence within this vital industry. If you wish to commend a worthy candidate or nominate yourself, please complete the nomination form by clicking here.

Source: The Trucker

The post Call for Nominations: 2025 Citizen Driver Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Not only will recipients receive a generous cash prize, but they also get to choose a TA, Petro Stopping Center, or TA Express location to be dedicated in their honor. To further honor their career and contributions, a bronze historical marker featuring the driver’s image and story will be installed on the front of the building. A special dedication ceremony will be held with the driver’s family and friends. Additionally, TravelCenters of America will make a $2,500 donation to each winner’s organization of choice.

“The Citizen Driver Program puts a spotlight on some of the most extraordinary drivers today and illustrates the fine examples of professionalism embedded in the truck driving profession,” TA said in a statement. “Over 150 nominations for the Citizen Driver award were received last year, from fleet owners and executives, professional drivers, trucking organization members and trucking industry suppliers.”

Since its start in 2013, the program has honored a total of 41 professional drivers.

Submit your nominations HERE by October 27th for a chance to be recognized as a Citizen Driver.  A panel of trucking professionals will carefully evaluate all the nominees to determine the final candidates.

Source: Land Line

The post Nominations Now Open for TravelCenters of America’s Citizen Driver Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Citizen Driver program first ran its course in 2013, making the 2023 nominees and winners a part of the 10^th consecutive celebration. The original intention was to identify and uplift drivers who have gone above and beyond in the industry. A lot goes into making the decision on who to nominate including the drivers’ background and involvement in initiatives that support their communities, contribute to safety, increase overall health and wellness, and demonstrate leadership qualities.

Once the winners are announced, recipients are able to leave their mark on the truck driving community. Winners are asked to select a Travel Centers of America, Petro, or Travel Centers of America Express location which will be dedicated to the recipient. A bronze marker with both the drivers’ image and truck driving story will be displayed on the front of the building.

The placement of the marker is followed by a special dedication ceremony where the truck driver being honored can invite their family and friends to join in the celebration.

Such a public display of recognition is both well deserved for the people who keep America running and spreads the word on how amazing truck drivers are. Each traveler that stops at the driver’s chosen Travel Centers of America location is able to see and read the driver’s story.

Two winners were selected from a pool of about 200 in the 2022 Citizen Driver contest. Susie De Ridder from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada and Douglas Smith of Bountiful, Utah shared in the celebration of being chosen as 2022’s Citizen Drivers.

When it came to deciding which location to be dedicated under her name, De Ridder chose the Travel Center of America located in Barstow, California. Last year’s winners also received $2,500 to make in donation form to a place of their choice. De Ridder selected Truckers Final Mile.

Smith decided to dedicate the Travel Center of America in Tooele, Utah. He has plans to take his $2,500 donation and split it three ways. The St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund, Tunnel to Towers, and Truckers Final Mile will all receive a portion of the donation.

Your voice matters in this decision! If you want to participate in nominations, click here.

The post Your voice is needed: Citizen Driver nominations open now appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.