The push to incorporate more women into the trucking industry in Mexico has entered a new phase. The Scania Women Drivers program , which began as a training initiative, now seeks to consolidate itself as a movement with sustained impact .
The challenge, however, remains profound. Women’s participation in freight transport operations is still limited in a sector historically dominated by men.
The gap in operations is most evident in the official figures. According to data from the General Directorate of Federal Motor Transport (DGAF) , at the end of 2025, only 1% of valid federal licenses belonged to women , with just 6,902 female operators compared to more than 717,000 men.
In the cargo segment, where the greatest activity is concentrated, female participation reaches 5,335 licenses, which is equivalent to just 0.9% at the national level , demonstrating the wide margin that exists for their incorporation into the sector.
This limited participation is compounded by an additional challenge. According to the International Road Transport Union (IRU) , the sector faced a shortage of around 99,000 operators by 2025, a scarcity that is beginning to put pressure on companies’ operations.
In this context, Scania Mexico announced the launch of a new cycle of its Scania Women Drivers program , scheduled to begin in 2026, with the addition of three new cohorts. This will bring the total number of trained cohorts to 10 , solidifying its position as one of the most consistent initiatives for increasing female participation in freight transport.
This is significant progress. For years, the presence of women in the trucking industry has been limited, both in operations and in technical areas. In response to this situation, the program has evolved into a more structured model, with an emphasis on professional development and employability .
This new phase will be developed in collaboration with GIZ Mexico and the develoPPP program, strengthening training standards. The approach includes not only technical training , but also the development of professional and soft skills, as well as job placement programs that facilitate entry into the formal sector.
The goal is to move beyond the perception that operating a truck is a restricted domain. Under the “Drive Like a Woman” concept , the initiative seeks to redefine this idea and position it as a standard of leadership, precision, and resilience within the industry.
The results are beginning to show. To date, the program has trained seven generations, with more than 70 graduates and a job placement rate of nearly 80% , which points toward greater economic independence and permanence in the sector.
Beyond the numbers, the change lies in the approach. Scania Women Drivers is no longer an isolated effort but a continuous strategy aimed at strengthening communities, opening opportunities, and contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable transport system.
Scania Mexico announced that it will soon release more details about this new phase, which aims to further expand the program’s reach in the coming years.
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