I started trucking and social media at the same time, about ten years ago, and I built both side by side. Before trucking I worked as an auto mechanic and then as a forklift operator — I have never had a “soft job,” and I am proud of that. But my first year over the road still taught me lessons no orientation ever covered. If you are a woman thinking about this life, here is what I wish someone had told me honestly.
You belong here — and you will have to prove it anyway
The skills matter more than the talk
Learn your pre-trip, your securement, and your backing until they are second nature. Competence is confidence. When you can secure a load, check your straps, and back into a tight dock calmly, the noise fades. Watch my Safety First tips and daily road life on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pinkiedabney
Safety is a system, not a feeling
Park in well-lit places, keep your doors locked, and trust your instincts without apologizing for them. Share your location with someone you trust, do your walk-around with awareness, and never let hurry talk you out of a check. Get Out And Look (GOAL) is not weakness — it is professionalism.
Rest is not quitting
Fatigue is a safety issue, not a character flaw. Put rest requests in writing, protect your sleep, and remember that no load is worth your life or your CDL. Related: https://pinkiesfinesttrucking.com/2026/10/27/left-stranded-by-a-trucking-company-heres-exactly-what-to-do-next/
Know your money from day one
Track every load, every detention hour, and every deduction. Keep receipts organized for taxes, build an emergency fund load by load, and ask about pay in writing before you roll. Financial steadiness is freedom on the road.
Find your community early
Other women drivers, trusted friends, family, and faith kept me grounded. You will spend long hours alone in the cab — make sure your support system is louder than your loneliness. Related: https://pinkiesfinesttrucking.com/2026/10/29/how-to-eat-healthy-as-a-truck-driver-fiber-meal-prep-and-truck-stop-traps/
FAQ
Is trucking a good career for women? Yes — it can offer strong pay, independence, and pride in real skill. It also demands long hours, time away from home, and firm boundaries around safety and rest.
What is the hardest part of the first year OTR? For most new drivers: backing, trip planning, fatigue management, and learning to document everything. All of them improve fast with deliberate practice.
How do women stay safe at truck stops? Park well-lit and legal, lock up, stay aware during walk-arounds, keep a trusted person posted on your location, and never announce you are alone.
Do I need to be strong to do flatbed? You need technique, leverage, and practice more than raw strength — and you build strength doing the work. Securement is a learnable skill.
Pinkie Dabney is the driver behind Pinkie’s Finest Trucking and KeepingIt100 Trucking, sharing real trucking life, comedy, and motivation from the road. Follow her daily on Instagram @pinkiedabneytheladytrucker, TikTok @keepingit100experiences, and YouTube @pinkiedabney.
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