Formal mentorship programs give professional truck drivers an opportunity to share their industry experience with people seeking career guidance. Unlike company training programs focused on operating a commercial vehicle, these initiatives emphasize professional development and ongoing relationships between mentors and mentees.

Participation isn’t limited to drivers who are just entering the workforce. Established professionals can volunteer as mentors, seek guidance about career advancement, or connect with colleagues working in other areas of transportation. The opportunities available through industry associations and participating employers differ in how members are matched, how long relationships last, and what is required to enroll.

WIT Connections Allows Members to Choose Their Mentors

The Women In Trucking Association’s WIT Connections program allows members to find potential mentors based on their experience and professional interests.

Participants first complete their membership profiles and enroll in the program. They can identify subjects they want to discuss, their career stage, availability and preferences for meeting virtually or in person. The directory then allows them to review other members’ profiles and request a connection.

Unlike an assigned mentoring arrangement, both participants have a say in whether the relationship begins. WIT’s guidelines ask members to consider experience, availability and the needs of the person requesting guidance before accepting an invitation.

Once a connection is established, the mentee is responsible for arranging the first meeting. That conversation should establish how often the participants will communicate, their preferred contact method, and the goals they intend to work toward. WIT also recommends preparing a mentoring agreement that outlines the relationship and its expected timeline.

Experienced drivers can enroll as mentors without taking on a formal instructor position. The program also permits members to participate as both mentors and mentees, recognizing that someone with substantial driving experience may still want guidance in another part of the transportation business.

WIT Connections is available to active association members. Membership starts at $30 for professional drivers, and the association welcomes members of all genders.

Mentoring Through WIT’s Professional Networking Groups

Individual mentorship is only one part of WIT Connections. The association also maintains networking groups where members can participate in organized discussions with other transportation professionals.

These groups are led by volunteer facilitators who coordinate meetings, develop discussion topics and communicate with participants. Members can search for groups according to their interests or professional backgrounds and request to join through the same platform used for individual mentorship.

Facilitators must commit to holding at least three regular meetings, although they can determine the group’s size and meeting frequency. Members who want to organize a group around a subject that is not already represented can contact WIT about becoming a facilitator.

The association also hosts quarterly virtual Connections Mixers, which introduce members to the program and provide opportunities to meet potential mentors. Its Connections: Unplugged community supports informal in-person meetups.

These activities give members several ways to become involved without requiring everyone to maintain the same type of mentoring relationship. Enrollment information and available groups can be found through the WIT Connections platform.

ATA’s Women in Motion Uses a Cohort-Based Program

The American Trucking Associations’ Women in Motion Mentorship Program connects women seeking professional development with experienced transportation industry leaders.

The initiative focuses on career development and professional networking across the transportation business. It is not a substitute for commercial driver training, and participation is organized around the program’s scheduled cohorts.

ATA has confirmed that a second cohort has been selected. Its official mentorship page identifies summer 2027 as the next anticipated application period, meaning prospective participants cannot assume enrollment is currently available.

This arrangement requires more advance planning than WIT Connections. Someone interested in Women in Motion will need to follow ATA’s application announcements and review the requirements for the next cohort when they are published.

The program may be relevant to experienced drivers interested in developing professionally beyond their current positions, as well as women entering the transportation industry who want to build relationships with established professionals.

Mentorship Opportunities Through Trucking Employers

Some motor carriers also involve experienced drivers in mentoring newer employees. These arrangements may be part of a company’s driver-development practices, but they should not automatically be confused with formal driving instruction.

A driver trainer may be responsible for supervised instruction and evaluating required skills. Mentorship can involve a different responsibility, providing professional guidance after an employee has completed initial training. Some employers combine these roles, while others may not offer a separate mentoring position at all.

Because these programs are established individually by carriers, there is no standard application process or universal set of qualifications. Drivers interested in participating should ask their employer’s training or safety department whether a formal mentorship arrangement exists and what responsibilities it involves.

An employer-based opportunity may be particularly relevant to someone interested in supporting newer colleagues within the same company. Association programs, by comparison, allow participants to establish relationships with professionals working for different organizations.

How to Get Involved

For drivers interested in WIT Connections, the first requirement is an active Women In Trucking membership. After enrolling in the mentoring program, members can search for individual connections or join networking groups. Those interested in volunteering can register as mentors or group facilitators.

Women in Motion follows a different enrollment process. Prospective applicants should monitor ATA’s official program page for the next application period and any updated participation requirements.

Before committing to either opportunity, it is worth understanding how much time participation will require. WIT’s guidelines place responsibilities on both mentors and mentees, including regular communication, honest feedback and respect for confidentiality.

Experienced drivers do not need to wait until they leave the profession to share their knowledge. Through established association programs, they can contribute while continuing their own careers, and newer professionals can find guidance through an organized process rather than relying on informal introductions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do trucking mentorship programs require a CDL?

Requirements depend on the organization. WIT Connections is available to eligible association members working in different areas of transportation, so participation is not limited to CDL holders. A company-based program may have additional employment or driving-experience requirements.

Can experienced truck drivers participate as both mentors and mentees?

Yes. WIT Connections allows members to enroll in both roles. Someone may share knowledge gained through professional driving while seeking guidance on another career interest.

Are mentors required to hold an instructor certification?

WIT Connections does not require participants to be certified driving instructors. Formal driver-training positions at motor carriers may have separate qualifications.

Can someone participate in more than one WIT Connections group or mentoring relationship?

Yes. WIT allows members to participate in multiple connections according to their availability. Group facilitators determine the size of their groups.

Does joining Women In Trucking automatically enroll someone in mentorship?

No. Members must complete the WIT Connections enrollment process to participate as mentors, mentees, facilitators, or group members.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: October 28, 2026