In the rearview mirror of the trucking industry, the female silhouette is only just beginning to take shape, not because it hasn’t existed before, but because it is now being scrutinized more closely.
Between November 2023 and May 2025, the number of women with a federal license to operate cargo vehicles grew by 31%, a sign that something is moving at the heart of the trucking industry, a figure that gave rise to the panel Companies Paving the Way , held at the headquarters of the National Association of Bus, Truck and Tractor Producers (ANPACT) .
The number alone is exciting, but what’s most valuable is what it represents: new paths, bold decisions, and companies that understand that adding female talent isn’t a concession, but rather an intelligent and humane way forward.
From November 2023 to May 2025, the total number of women with federal licenses reached 7,126 operators , of which 31% were integrated into the cargo segment and 38% into the passenger segment , according to Virginia Olalde , director of Foreign Trade and Economic Studies at ANPACT.
Although at the end of 2024 women represented only 0.9% of the total number of valid federal licenses , their presence is beginning to gain strength in cargo transportation, according to the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT) .
None of this happens in isolation. Behind every story of women joining the trucking industry is a network of allies who believe in training, opportunities, and genuine support.
The Drive Your Future program is an example of this: a joint initiative of Dow , United Way Mexico , the Association of Women Cargo Vehicle Operators (AMO) , the ANPACT Women’s Auto Transport Network , and the Industrial Work Training Center (Cecati) 37 of the State of Mexico , which not only trains operators, but also provides them with additional tools for their comprehensive development.
Adding to this effort is the Scania Drivers program , a key element in enabling many women to take their first steps behind the wheel. From the classroom to the road, the combined will is crucial for female talent to find a clear path to advancement in the sector.
The data becomes even more powerful when heard from those who experience it. The panel shared experiences from companies that have made the commitment to integrating female talent into their driving careers.
Estefanía García Luquin , Human Resources Manager at Autotransportes Pilot , and Fabiola Alejandra Salas Uribe , Director of Human Resources and Talent Management at Grupo Transcooler (recognized as one of the 100 most influential women in transportation and logistics), shared how their companies have been charting, step by step, more inclusive paths in a sector that is just beginning to make room for women.
For Estefanía García, the challenge started from the ground up: “When we first integrated women, we didn’t even have bathrooms,” she recalled.
In 2022, with support from Scania and AMO , they added six female operators. “The men said the road was theirs. We had to change mentalities, facilities, and regulations. But it was worth it,” she emphasized.
Today, Pilot has nearly 50 operators, a turnover rate of just 4.5%, and adequate rest and safety spaces.
Fabiola Salas, for her part, described the process at Transcooler as both organic and challenging. She defined it as “going against the grain .” From modifying internal policies to establishing five pillars of well-being: social, economic, mental, physical, and family, her approach has been comprehensive.
“If you’re not well at home, you can’t be well on the road. Women are more organized, more committed. We’ve reduced the accident rate. We want to reach a female workforce of 50%,” Salas said.
Both agreed that family and support networks are key to the process . “There are many women who want to, but don’t know where to start,” García said.
They are dedicated to training workshops, weekly awareness sessions with operators, and psychological support.
But talking about inclusion also means talking about protection. In a country where an attack on an operator is recorded every 47 minutes (according to figures from Círculo Logístico ) , security isn’t just a given; it’s a priority.
The companies participating in the panel know this. At Transcooler , for example, they have established well-mapped routes, constant monitoring, and schedules that avoid nighttime driving.
Meanwhile, in Pilot , women are assigned to low-risk routes and are provided with accompanying vehicles known as safety cars , which include paramedics and psychological support on the route.
Because including women doesn’t just mean giving them access, but also ensuring they arrive safely at their destination.
But even with the commitment of companies like Pilot and Transcooler, which have invested in infrastructure, protocols, and support, the environment remains hostile for many.
The lack of safe stops , protected routes, and decent road conditions does not distinguish between genders: it equally affects those responsible for moving the country.
Rogelio Arzate , executive president of ANPACT, emphasized the institutional support for the program and for female talent.
“The push for women is embedded in ANPACT. We hope the time will come when we no longer need forums like this because female participation becomes natural,” she explained.
Currently, eight women are enrolled in the Drive Your Future program and are preparing to graduate with a license and comprehensive training. A job fair will be held on July 17th to close the loop: transform training into employment. Because paving the way isn’t enough. We must support them until they reach their destination.
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