The annual award honors a commercial driver who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to highway safety, professionalism and excellence throughout their career.

Cash will be recognized during the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida, where he is scheduled to receive the award on Sept. 23.

More Than 3.6 Million Crash-Free Miles

According to CVSA, Cash has accumulated more than 3.6 million crash-free miles during his professional driving career while hauling a wide range of freight, including fuel, refrigerated products, flatbed freight and bulk commodities.

For the past 23 years, he has specialized in transporting legacy radioactive waste for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) program near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Cash is one of only 36 drivers in the United States authorized to transport transuranic radioactive waste from Department of Energy sites to the WIPP facility, a role that requires an extensive background review and an exceptional safety record.

Extensive Level VI Inspection Record

Transporting radioactive materials also means operating under one of the trucking industry’s most rigorous inspection programs.

During the past three years, Cash has completed more than 195 CVSA Level VI inspections. Those inspections are conducted before a shipment begins and require the driver, vehicle, and cargo to meet strict safety standards before being allowed on the road.

Cash estimates he has completed well over 1,000 Level VI inspections during his time working in the WIPP program.

Mentor and Leader Within the Industry

In addition to his driving responsibilities, Cash serves as a senior lead driver within the WIPP program, where he helps evaluate applicants, trains newly hired drivers, and mentors other professional drivers.

Mike Savage, director of safety for CAST Specialty Transportation, said Cash’s performance has helped raise expectations throughout the company.

“Tommy has set the bar so high that we’ve had to adapt hiring and training standards further to keep up with his superior performance,” Savage said.

CVSA President Maj. Erick McGuire of the Florida Highway Patrol also praised Cash’s long-standing commitment to safety and mentorship, saying his career reflects the highest standards of professionalism within the commercial motor vehicle industry.

A Career Built on Safety

Cash said he was honored to learn he had been selected for this year’s International Driver Excellence Award.

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I was very happy, very pleased and, of course, very honored.”

When asked what advice he would offer other professional drivers, Cash emphasized the importance of maintaining awareness.

“Be aware not just of what’s right in front of your truck, but what’s ahead of your truck and what’s going on behind your truck too,” he said.

In addition to this latest recognition, Cash has previously been named CAST Specialty Transportation’s Driver of the Year and was recognized earlier this year as one of the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2026 Professional Drivers of the Year.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 28, 2026

Source: The Trucker

Image Source: CAST Transportation, The Trucker

The post CAST Specialty Driver Tommy Cash Receives 2026 International Driver Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Cash will be honored during the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando in September, where he will receive a $5,000 award and a crystal trophy during the organization’s awards luncheon on Sept. 23.

The annual International Driver Excellence Award recognizes a professional commercial motor vehicle driver who demonstrates exceptional commitment to highway safety, professionalism and career achievement.

More Than Two Decades Transporting Radioactive Waste

Throughout his driving career, Cash has hauled a wide variety of freight, including fuel, milk, refrigerated freight, flatbed loads and bulk commodities. For the past 23 years, however, he has specialized in transporting legacy radioactive waste for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) program near Carlsbad, New Mexico.

The WIPP facility is the nation’s only permanent repository for transuranic radioactive waste generated through U.S. atomic energy defense activities. According to CVSA, Cash is one of just 36 professional drivers in the United States authorized to transport those shipments between Department of Energy facilities and the WIPP site.

Selection for the role requires an exceptional driving record and extensive background screening because of the highly regulated nature of the cargo.

More Than 1,000 Level VI Inspections

Transporting radioactive materials also subjects drivers to one of the trucking industry’s most rigorous inspection programs.

During the past three years alone, Cash has completed more than 195 CVSA Level VI inspections. Unlike standard roadside inspections, Level VI inspections are conducted before radioactive shipments begin their trip and include detailed examinations of the driver, vehicle, and cargo. Any defect must be corrected before the shipment is allowed to proceed.

Cash estimates he has completed well over 1,000 Level VI inspections during his 23 years transporting radioactive waste.

A Career Built on Mentorship

In addition to his driving responsibilities, Cash serves as a senior lead driver within the WIPP program, where he evaluates driver applicants, conducts road tests, trains newly hired drivers and mentors fellow professional drivers.

CVSA said his willingness to share knowledge and help develop future drivers was an important factor in this year’s selection.

“Mr. Cash represents the very best of the commercial motor vehicle industry,” CVSA President Maj. Erick McGuire of the Florida Highway Patrol said in announcing the award. “His extraordinary career reflects an unwavering commitment to safety, professionalism and mentorship. More than four decades of crash-free driving, millions of safe miles, and his willingness to share his knowledge with new and incoming professional drivers make him the perfect person to receive the International Driver Excellence Award.”

Mike Savage, director of safety for CAST Specialty Transportation, said Cash’s performance has helped shape the company’s hiring and training programs.

“In fact, Tommy has set the bar so high that we’ve had to adapt hiring and training standards further to keep up with his superior performance,” Savage said.

Advice for the Next Generation of Drivers

Cash credited much of his success to the people who trained him early in his career.

“I was taught by great teachers,” he said after learning he had been selected for the award.

When asked what advice he would give other professional drivers, Cash emphasized maintaining awareness beyond the immediate area around the truck.

“Be aware not just of what’s right in front of your truck, but what’s ahead of your truck — further down the road — and what’s going on behind your truck too,” he said.

Outside of trucking, Cash supports the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and participates in the Department of Energy’s WIPP community outreach program, helping educate communities and first responders about the transportation of radioactive waste.

His previous honors include being named CAST Specialty Transportation’s Driver of the Year and earning recognition as one of the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2026 Professional Drivers of the Year.

The 2026 International Driver Excellence Award is sponsored by PrePass Safety Alliance. Nominations for the 2027 award are expected to open in spring 2027.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 24, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: CVSA

The post CAST Specialty Transportation Driver Receives CVSA’s 2026 International Driver Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The award celebrates individuals whose driving careers stand out for consistent safety performance, strong compliance practices, and a long record of responsible operation behind the wheel.

Recognizing Exceptional Safety Records

Candidates considered for the International Driver Excellence Award must represent the highest standards of the profession. The recognition focuses on individuals who have consistently gone beyond the basic responsibilities of operating a commercial vehicle.

According to the award guidelines, nominees should have demonstrated outstanding performance over many years while maintaining a reputation for safety, professionalism, and reliability.

Eligibility Requirements

Those nominated for the honor must meet several strict qualifications designed to highlight a long-term commitment to safe driving practices. Requirements include:

• At least 25 cumulative years of crash-free commercial motor vehicle driving
• A clean driving record for the previous three years
• No felony convictions
• No safety-related driving suspensions within the last three years
• No driver violations during the previous three years, excluding form and manner violations

The program is open to the entire commercial motor vehicle industry, and nominees do not need to belong to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in order to be considered.

Recognition at the Annual CVSA Conference

The individual selected for the 2026 International Driver Excellence Award will be recognized later this year during the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

As part of the recognition, the recipient and one guest will receive a complimentary economy flight to Orlando International Airport along with a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Orlando. The award presentation will take place during the conference awards luncheon on Sept. 23.

The winner will also receive a $5,000 cash prize and a crystal trophy commemorating the achievement.

How Nominations Are Reviewed

Submissions for the award are completed through the alliance’s online nomination form, which allows applicants to upload supporting documentation that verifies a candidate’s driving record and professional accomplishments.

Once submitted, the nominations are reviewed by the IDEA Program judges, who authenticate the information and recommend a final selection to the CVSA Executive Committee.

The recipient will be announced publicly through a news release, the organization’s website, and social media channels. A feature profile highlighting the winning driver will also appear in the quarterly magazine Guardian.

Nomination Deadline

Nominations for the 2026 International Driver Excellence Award must be submitted by Friday, May 8.

Source: Truckers News

The post Nominations Open for 2026 International Driver Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) is now accepting applications for the 2025 International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA). This annual honor celebrates exceptional commercial motor vehicle drivers who demonstrate an unwavering dedication to public safety.

Last year’s winner Daryl Tolle (Source: CVSA)

About the Award

The IDEA is designed to highlight professional drivers who exceed the expectations of their role, showcasing exemplary performance and commitment to safe vehicle operation. Eligible candidates must have consistently maintained high safety standards and demonstrated distinction in their careers. Candidates are also expected to exhibit impeccable personal character and meet outlined criteria to qualify for this recognition.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to be considered for the award:

• Accumulated at least 25 years of crash-free driving in a commercial motor vehicle.

• Maintain a clean driving record for the past three years with no safety-related violations or suspensions.

• Have no felony convictions or disqualifying behavior.

• Exclude minor form and manner infractions from their record.

The IDEA is open to the entire commercial motor vehicle industry, and CVSA membership is not a requirement for nomination.

What the Winner Will Receive

The 2025 IDEA award recipient will receive:

• A $5,000 cash prize and a crystal trophy.

• A complimentary round-trip economy flight to Denver International Airport for them and a guest.

• Accommodations including a two-night stay at the Sheraton Denver Downtown.

• Recognition at the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition awards ceremony on September 24, 2025.

Submitting Nominations

Nominations are open until Friday, May 9. Candidates can be submitted through CVSA’s online application form where all supporting documentation must also be uploaded.

The IDEA Program Committee will oversee the evaluation of all nominations, confirm their validity, and present their recommendations to CVSA’s Executive Committee. The selected recipient will be announced via a news release and will also be featured on CVSA’s website, social media platforms, and in Guardian, CVSA’s quarterly publication.

Learn More

• Looking for additional details? Visit CVSA’s FAQs page for answers to common questions about the IDEA award.

• Take a moment to explore what previous winners have achieved by reviewing the past award recipients.

Sponsored By

This year’s award is proudly sponsored by PrePass Safety Alliance, a nonprofit organization that unites state agencies and industry leaders to promote safety and efficiency across North America’s highways.

Source: Truckers News

The post CVSA Opens Nominations for 2025 International Driver Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The chosen recipient of the 2024 IDEA, along with a guest, will be awarded a complimentary economy flight to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and a two-night stay in a single room at Big Sky Resort. This prize package is specially curated to facilitate attendance at the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Big Sky, Montana.

The IDEA winner will be formally acknowledged during the annual conference’s general session and awards ceremony on Sept. 9, where they will receive a generous $5,000 prize and a crystal trophy.

Nominees must meet specific criteria, including:

1. A minimum of 25 cumulative years of accident-free driving in a commercial motor vehicle, maintaining a clean driving record for the past three years.
2. No felony convictions.
3. No safety-related driving suspensions within the last three years.
4. No driver violations in the past three years, excluding form and manner violations.

Open to the entire commercial vehicle industry, the IDEA award encourages nominations from individuals who do not necessarily have to be affiliated with or be members of CVSA. The application process has been simplified from previous years, allowing individuals to easily complete the nomination form and submit the required supporting documentation online.

Don’t miss this opportunity to recognize and celebrate excellence in the commercial driving community!

Source: Overdrive

The post CVSA Nominations Open for Driver Excellence Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.