Recently, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced the launch of the Women of Trucking Advisory Board (WOTAB), in an increased effort to recruit, support, and ensure the safety of women commercial motor vehicle drivers and the trucking industry. 

WOTAB and its Purpose

The launch of the advisory board, in March, was mandated by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is part of the Biden-Harris Trucking Action Plan. The overall aim is to improve job quality and recruit more women into the profession of commercial truck driving.

The FMCSA says the Women of Trucking Advisory Board will coordinate with trucking companies, nonprofit organizations, and trucking associations to support women in trucking. The women’s board will also provide recommendations to the FMCSA administrator and the Secretary of Transportation.

The goal is also to address many other areas, as well. This includes the evaluation of barriers and trends that impact women in trucking across the country, as well as ways to support women who are pursuing careers in the trucking field. Identifying opportunities to expand roles for women, increasing the number of women in the trucking industry overall, is also a key target point. And finally, advising on and reviewing policies that provide education, training, mentorship, or outreach to women in the commercial truck driving profession.

The Advisory Board and How to Apply

The Women of Trucking Advisory Board will include a minimum of eight members equipped with diverse backgrounds, experience, and certifications to provide a multitude of balanced points of view. This group of women will include those representing small, mid-sized, and large trucking companies, and nonprofit organizations within the trucking industry.

Trucking business associations, independent owner-operators and fleet owners, plus professional truck drivers and an institution of higher education or trucking trade schools will also be represented.

Members of the board will serve without pay and will be chosen from a field of qualified candidates for a maximum two-year term.

For those women who wish to apply, or perhaps to nominate someone for membership, please email the following materials to [email protected]

Start with a detailed letter expressing your interest and qualifications to serve on the committee, and also specify which one of the following membership categories you fall into: 

• A large trucking company (more than 100 power units)
• A mid-sized trucking company (11-100 power units)
• A small trucking company (1-10 power units)
• A female professional truck driver
• An independent owner-operator
• A trucking business association
• A nonprofit organization in the trucking industry
• An institution of higher education or trucking trade school
• Another related role within the trucking industry (please specify)
   

Be sure to include a resume of your most relevant work experience, along with one letter of recommendation from someone with first-hand knowledge of you and your professional accomplishments.

The Women of Trucking Advisory Board charter will run through February 11, 2024. It’s your time to shine, ladies!