The people who teach someone to drive a truck often leave an impression that lasts well beyond the training itself. Some drivers still remember the first truck they learned on, while others can recall advice from an instructor or coworker decades after hearing it.

When Truck Drivers USA asked its Facebook community, “Who helped you become the driver you are today, and what did they teach you?” the responses included memories from drivers who learned on farm trucks, trained alongside experienced coworkers, and eventually spent decades in the industry. Their answers also recognized the people who took the time to teach them skills they still value today.

Learning to Drive From Family

For several respondents, their introduction to trucking happened long before they were old enough to pursue it professionally.

Don Stevenson credited his father with teaching him on a 1971 Kenworth equipped with Armstrong steering and a set of sticks. Roger Deck also learned from his dad, who drove for 45 years. Deck recalled being just 13 when he began learning on a Mack with a Maxidyne engine and a two-stick transmission.

Greg Gustafson remembered sitting on his father’s lap and steering a pulp truck along an old railroad grade. Kirk Smith shared that he had been riding with his dad since he was four or five years old, making trucking feel like second nature by the time he was older.

Those early experiences sometimes led to careers spanning several decades. Lonnie Allen recalled learning to drive farm trucks in hayfields at seven or eight years old. He eventually spent 46 years driving big trucks before retiring two years ago.

Jack Meegan remembered a different lesson from his father, who taught him to drive a stick shift in a 1947 Ford. His dad emphasized respect for other motorists and pedestrians, advice Meegan carried throughout a career that included more than 2 million miles without an accident or ticket.

The Trainers Who Took the Time to Teach

For those who learned outside the family, a patient instructor could make all the difference, especially when mastering skills that required repeated practice.

Rusty Davis credited Bruce “Pat” White, a trainer who knew Davis was struggling with backing. White continued working with him without reporting the difficulty to their supervisors, giving him the time and instruction he needed to improve.

Backing was also a priority for Keesley Simpkins, whose driving school instructor, Lil John, emphasized getting the maneuver right. Michael Edgerton remembered John Williams teaching him to float gears and position his truck in tight spaces.

Some drivers received their training through extended time on the road with experienced professionals. David Oxford began learning in 1978 with help from two drivers named Charlie and Bruce. He spent approximately six or seven weeks riding along in their trucks without pay, gaining experience on equipment with Armstrong steering and double-stick transmissions.

Oxford recalled that finding someone willing to provide hands-on instruction was an important part of entering trucking at the time. The experience helped him begin a career that eventually included 29 years operating his own trucking company in southern Oregon. He retired from commercial driving in 2025.

Advice That Made a Lasting Impression

Along with the mechanical skills, several respondents remembered advice that influenced how they approached the road.

Greg Sember recalled an experienced Georgia driver telling him, “You might go too slow forever, you might only go too fast once.” He was also taught to stay a mile ahead of the truck, a reminder to anticipate changing road conditions and leave enough room to respond.

Tony Zavala shared another lesson about recognizing the limits of driving ability: “Never for one second think that your skills can beat the laws of physics.”

For Jack Meegan, the emphasis on respect that began with his father’s instruction remained important throughout his driving career. His experience illustrates how lessons learned early can continue influencing everyday decisions long after the initial training ends.

Learning From Fellow Drivers and Coworkers

Training did not always end when someone began driving independently. Several members of the TDUSA community credited coworkers and other professionals with helping them develop skills throughout their careers.

Jeffrey Cranford said he learned much of what he knows by asking questions of other truck drivers, including people he had never met before.

Randal O. Bouwens credited his father, a driving instructor named Charlie, and a friend named Bob with teaching him mountain driving, logging, shifting, route planning, maintenance, and business operations.

Terry Leach learned tight maneuvering from his father-in-law, who worked as an off-road heavy equipment operator. Later, his on-road trainer challenged him to drive with a glass of water on the truck’s catwalk without spilling it, testing his ability to operate the vehicle smoothly.

Chris Pershing recalled spending six months riding and co-driving with two experienced drivers after starting in 1978. Only after that period did his employer allow him to begin driving independently.

The variety of experiences reflects how much trucking knowledge comes from working alongside people familiar with different equipment, freight, and road conditions.

Remembering the People Who Helped Them Start

Not every response described formal training or years of instruction. Some drivers simply wanted to recognize the person who encouraged them or gave them their first opportunity.

Justin Walker named Jamie Wallace as the person who taught him everything he knows, while Becky Bunting credited her husband.

For others, the memories were tied to the trucks themselves. Don Stevenson still recalled learning on his father’s 1971 Kenworth, and Roger Deck remembered the Mack his father used to teach him at 13.

The TDUSA discussion brought back names, equipment, and advice that respondents could recall years after their first lessons. It also allowed them to thank the people who made time to help them learn, whether that meant spending weeks together on the road, practicing a difficult maneuver, or sharing advice during an ordinary workday.

Want to share your own trucking stories and connect with other professional drivers? Join the Truck Drivers USA Facebook community to take part in the conversation.

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: November 11, 2026