Women in transport industry.

When the transport industry and trucks in general are mentioned the first association are men with beards and a trucker hat, with one hand thrown out the window.

However, we are witnessing that times are changing rapidly and we are seeing more and more women in this business, and we are glad about that.

But, are we at the level we should be when it comes to the differences between women and men in the transport industry?

To check that out, our team decided to contact some of the girls who promote trucking business on social media.

Angelica Larsson and Lexie are two wonderful girls who decided to share their experiences with us, and we thank them on that occasion.

We bring you our questions and their answers below.

Let’s start with Angellica a wonderful girl from Sweden who drives a Volvo truck.

Our questions for the girls were:

1. How long have you been in this business?

👱‍♀️ I've been in this business for almost 10 years.

2. What are the reasons why you choose this job?

👱‍♀️ My first plan was to drive my dad's wheel loader during the winter since he had too much work, but right after I finished my education for the loader my classmates decided to keep going and take the license for big trucks, so I went with them and it was one of my best choices in my life.

3. What are some of the biggest challenges for you in this business?

👱‍♀️ The biggest challenge for me is probably my height, I'm only 154cm tall, so sometimes it's hard to reach. But I'm very dedicated and full of will, so I usually solve the problem.

4. How long do you spend on the road and how much at home?

👱‍♀️ I'm very lucky to get home every day, Sweden is quite a small country compared to USA, Russia, Canada etc, but I get trips now and then when I have to sleep in the cabin, and I really enjoy that!

5. Is there any diferences between men and women at this job?

👱‍♀️ It's not that much of a difference, a lot of women getting into this industry and if you are good at what you do, you will get as much chance as a male to get the work. Sometimes it can even be easier for women since companies want more females in their bubusiness.

6. What are the things that can be improved  that are oriented to women in this business (if there is any)?

👱‍♀️ The trucks now days are very well build and is suitable for both women and men.

7. Can you imagine yourself doing something else then driving trucks?

👱‍♀️ Yes, but I think it will make me unhappy. I'm educated CNC-operator from school, so I always have something to lean on to if I ever want to change my job!

8. What are the first impressions when people see you behind the steering wheel?

👱‍♀️ In Sweden it's very common with female drivers, it was more reactions when I started, 9 years ago, but now it's almost 40% females that are drivers in Sweden. In several schools there's more females than males that getting educated as drivers!

9. Which advice would you give to younger girls who wants to become a truck driver?

👱‍♀️ To dare to try! I moved 1000km from home to try out something different, and it was so worth it. You can never learn too much. I thought I've found my dream job when I was driving 24m box truck, but what I do now is way more exciting and challenging.

Thank you Angelica for your time!

Lets meet Lexie. Lexie is an amazing girl from Greece that currently drive in Switzerland. And she and her Actros drove many kilometers together .

We ask Lexie the same questions, so let see her answers:

1. How long have you been in this business?

👩 I started when I was 17, today is 5 years how I driving.

2. What are the reasons why you choose this job?

👩 I chose this profession to follow the footsteps of my father who was a truck driver himself.

3. What are some of the biggest challenges for you in this business?

👩 I transport container ships with a road train setup. Maneuvers remain the most complex thing, with the loading of containers on the ground.

4. How long do you spend on the road and how much at home?

👩 Currently I do not sleep in my truck, I have had it in the past. I do 12 to 13 hours of work per day so an average of about 60 hours per week.

5. Is there any diferences between men and women at this job?

👩 Unfortunately there are still differences between men and women. On the more moral aspect than administrative.

6. What are the things that can be improved  that are oriented to women in this business (if there is any)?

👩 In my company we have no privilege to be a woman and that is a good thing! We are treated equally. But today there is still a lot of improvements to be made, such as having work clothes adapted to the dimensions of women. The uniforms remain standard so is not suitable for us.

7. Can you imagine yourself doing something else then driving trucks?

👩 No 😅

8. What are the first impressions when people see you behind the steering wheel?

👩 Most of the time, people remain positively impressed, often wondering how old I am for my driver's license.

9. Which advice would you give to younger girls who wants to become a truck driver?

👩 To be motivated and never give up, believe no one else even! Have great mental strength and a lot of patience. Knowing how to be mature and independent because in this business you can only count on yourself! We only live once so hang on in your dreams and go for it!

Lexie thank you a lot.

If you want to keep up with Lexie and Angelica you can follow links below to their Instagram.

👱‍♀️ angellica.larsson
👩 lexie.truck

Also we would love to hear your opinion about this theme. Feel free to leave us a comment.

Thanks a lot for your attention from Trucks Europa team.