National Truck Driver Appreciation Week 2026 runs from September 13 to 19. The American Trucking Associations set this year’s theme as “For the Miles You Drive and the Sacrifices You Make.” It’s a fitting message. Professional drivers haul close to 11 billion tons of freight every year and account for more than 70% of all freight moved in the country. That kind of impact takes real commitment, and it deserves real recognition.
At United Truck Driving School, that commitment isn’t an abstract idea. Every student who walks through the doors in San Diego or Riverside is already showing it, long before their first paid mile.
What “The Miles You Drive and the Sacrifices You Make” Really Means
This year’s theme points to something drivers rarely get enough credit for: what it takes to keep the job going, week after week. Time on the road, time away from home, and the discipline to keep freight moving on schedule are all part of the commitment. The theme asks the country to recognize that commitment, and to be genuinely grateful for the people who make it.
That commitment is also exactly why this career has real staying power. The American Trucking Associations projects the U.S. is short about 82,000 drivers in 2026. Freight demand isn’t slowing down, which means people who choose this path step into real job security in a field that genuinely needs them and rewards the people willing to show up for it.
That message is exactly where that commitment begins, and where people get the support to build a career around it.
The Commitment Starts Before the First Mile
Every student at United Truck Driving School puts something on the line to be there. Some leave a job. Some study around a full-time schedule. Many are starting over completely, whether they’re coming out of the military, switching careers, or supporting a family while they train. What they get in return is a real shot at a stable, respected career.
Shaun, a veteran who trained at United, made that leap after leaving military service. He has said that once he started researching schools, United stood out because staff took the time to understand his background as a prior service member and helped him navigate the transition. That kind of support matters, especially since veterans currently make up only about 10% of the driver workforce even though a federal initiative is working to push that number to 20%.
Students like Shaun show what this year’s theme is really about. The commitment doesn’t start with the first solo run. It starts with the decision to train, and United is there for every step of CDL training that follows.
How United Truck Driving School Supports That Commitment
Honoring commitment means more than saying thank you once a year. United backs that up with real programs that help students succeed.
Veterans get direct support. United’s Veteran Assistance program accepts most VA education benefits, which can lower or eliminate the cost of retraining for service members and their families.
Tuition doesn’t have to be a barrier. Tuition financing and other government assistance programs exist so cost isn’t the reason someone puts off a career change.
Women bring real strengths to this field. Women currently make up roughly 9 to 10.5% of professional CDL drivers, depending on carrier size, and that number is growing. United’s Women in Trucking program supports women through training and into the industry, helping more women build the same kind of career.
The support doesn’t stop at graduation. United’s job placement services connect graduates with carriers so the move from classroom to career is as smooth as possible. As Riverside admissions rep Monty Jordan has put it, students remain part of the United family long after they finish training. Read more in Our Riverside Rep Raises the Bar for CDL Training.
Simple Ways to Thank a Truck Driver This Week
Recognition doesn’t have to be complicated. A few ways to show appreciation during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week:
- Buy a meal or coffee. A small gesture at a truck stop or diner goes a long way after a long shift.
- Give drivers room on the road. Safe following distance and patient merging is one of the most meaningful ways to say thank you.
- Say it directly. A simple “thank you for what you do” to a driver at a rest stop or truck stop means more than most people realize.
- Post about it. Sharing appreciation online with the hashtag #ThankATrucker helps spread recognition beyond just one week.
To United’s Students and Graduates: Thank You
This week is about professional drivers everywhere, but United Truck Driving School also wants to speak directly to its own students and graduates. Every person who has trained here, whether they’re now hauling freight across the country or just finished their first week on the range, made a real commitment to get here, and it’s one worth being proud of. Explore more graduate stories from people who made that same decision and are building careers because of it.
National Truck Driver Appreciation Week only lasts seven days, but the opportunity behind it lasts all year. Thinking about starting that journey? Get in touch with United Truck Driving School to learn what CDL training looks like at the San Diego or Riverside campus.
