The 8 Truck Driver Personalities
At Class A Drivers, we are always putting together new research and analyzing the best personality types to become a truck driver. If you are wondering “Will I Be Successful?” then you should take a deeper look at the types of people that sign up to be successful truck drivers.
We’ve broken down the 8 key personality types that choose to become truck drivers, and we’ve provided complete, detailed explanations below. The 8 truck driver personas are:
- The Young Opportunist
- The Young and Proud
- The Young Dreamer
- The G.I. Joe & Jane
- The Unemployed
- The Rebuilder
- The Travel Agent
- The Spontaneous
Class A Drivers has also polled its community of users, so you can see the percentage of truck drivers that comes from each personality type in the chart below. Full personality descriptions follow below.
Truck Driver Personality Breakdown
The Young Opportunist
Student loans and other types of debt can accumulate faster than many anticipate. Trucking has some unique advantages that makes it very attractive to those looking to save money fast. Without any rent to pay and few expenses to manage, OTR truck driving allows this group to pay off their loans faster than most other job opportunities. Taking advantage of this money-making possibility, this persona group earns the name of Opportunists.
The Young and Proud
Trucking drives the US economy, and the career instills a sense of pride in one’s work. It’s not surprising that those who made a career out of the trucking industry share their enthusiasm with their children and family. The Young and Proud choose trucking not just for all of its advantages, but also because they’re proud of their family members in the industry and wish to join them.
The Young Dreamer
Of all the personas to join trucking, the Dreamers have the most distinct interest in the lifestyle of trucking. Few industries allow as much travel and freedom as trucking, and the career lets drivers meet new faces every day. The salary is enticing, but for this group, nothing beats the open road and all that comes with it.
The G.I. Joes and Janes
The military provides you a unique set of talents that stay with you throughout life. Many of those talents transfer very easily to the trucking industry, including the ability to keep unique hours and handle constant travel. G.I. Joes and Janes are military veterans that join the trucking industry for the competitive salary without a big lifestyle change from what they’re already used to.
The Unemployed
Sometimes, when your chosen career path doesn’t end the way you hoped. When faced with unemployment, trucking becomes a feasible option for your life and your wallet. This persona type covers those who join the trucking industry because they needed to make money, and trucking provides a good salary with very little training and preparation. These truckers saw the advantage of the trucking industry and dove in head first.
The Rebuilder
Life can sometimes place some serious potholes on the road, and no persona knows this best than the Rebuilders. When home issues prove to be too much, whether from divorce, death, or anything in between, the peace and quiet of trucking can provide time to think and rebuild confidence in life. These people found more than a salary in over-the-road truck driving.
The Travel Agent
This group has a unique interest in trucking – the opportunity to travel. There are a lot of sights to see in the United States, and many aren’t anywhere near the usual tourist attractions. The chance to travel the country for free, while getting PAID to do so, is a dream come true for this group. History buffs and adventurers find the best of both worlds in the trucking industry: the chance to visit any site you’d like while getting good pay in the process.
The Spontaneous
This group has one motto: “Why not?” Trucking provides a great chance to earn money and do it quickly, so why not sign up? The Spontaneous also favor the short training period that allows them to get on the road in only 3-6 weeks. These drivers take each day as it comes, and their personal roads lead them in different directions in life.