The nation’s best truck drivers are getting behind the wheel today for the driving portion of the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) and Step Van Driving Championships, taking place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh through Friday, August 14.
Sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the event began earlier this week with a written examination and continues with hands-on skills tests designed to uncover the best of the best in trucking.
More than 400 of the industry’s most elite drivers are competing for the title of 2026 National Truck Driving Championships Bendix Grand Champion. The competitors hail from 49 states and represent 55 companies.
Drivers qualify for the national tournament by being accident-free and winning their state competition. This year’s competitors have driven a combined 775 million accident-free miles throughout their careers, according to ATA.
“NTDC represents the trucking industry’s finest,” NTDC Chairman Heath Arnold said in a statement Wednesday. “Each competitor has earned the opportunity to be here through an unwavering commitment to safety, professionalism, and excellence behind the wheel. As we begin the 2026 competition, we celebrate the men and women who set the gold standard for our profession and demonstrate the skill, dedication, and responsibility required to keep America’s economy moving. We congratulate every finalist and wish them the best of luck as they compete to see who will be named Grand Champion.”
The NTDC and affiliated state Truck Driving Championships (TDC) are considered one of the industry’s largest and most effective safety programs, according to ATA. During the competition, each driver undergoes a rigorous written examination, thorough pre-trip inspection test, and a challenging driving skills test.
Finalists will be announced Friday morning, and a Grand Champion will be crowned Friday evening. Regular updates are available via social media by following ATA and #NTDC26.
