DIRECTIONS:  PLEASE READ THIS FIRST

This year at the direction of SMC, FTA shifted to a new platform for submitting awards. This format is utilized by several national trucking entities and should provide a more user-friendly experience for entry submission and judging.

Benefits include:

• Option to save your progress and return later
• Automatically applying responses in multiple areas, reducing time spent on submissions.
• Easy upload capabilities
• A PDF is still available to download, with important fact sheets. But all award submissions must be electronically submitted through jotform.

What has changed:

• Timelines for awards are shifted (due before midnight on March 13!)
• Only online applications will be accepted (no mailed in or handwritten forms)
• You can save your work (and return to it later!)

Tips:

• The ‘save’ button is at the bottom, you will need to scroll all the way down to find it.
• If you cannot log-in (some computer security systems delay receipt of emails from JotForm) you can copy the link to finish later, without logging in.
• Do not select ‘submit’ until you’ve uploaded all required/supplemental documents

Nominations must be received online before Midnight on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Competition period for this awards program is January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025.

WHO MAY SUBMIT NOMINATIONS:
Any FTA Carrier Member company may submit a nomination from their driver roster to Florida Trucking Association for Driver of the Month.

Eligibility:
Nominees for the Driver of the Month/Year Award must be employed by or contracted to a member company of Florida Trucking Association, and must have been continuously so employed or contracted for at least one (1) year prior to the nomination date. Nominees must also hold a valid CDL domiciled in Florida.

Note:
The winner for any month shall be ineligible for competition for a period of one (1) year, and Driver of the Year shall be ineligible for competition for a period of three (3) years.

CURRENT COMPANY MILEAGE CATEGORY:
Drivers will be scored against their peer group by mileage and route classification. Choose ONLY ONE route classification (based on what most closely describes your driver's current description):

1. OTR/Long Haul - Driver operating in an over-the-road environment who does NOT return to the same work reporting location each day.
2. Local - Driver operates both within a city and regional environment and returns to the same work reporting location each day.
3. City/Peddler - City driver who works within a single area or municipality, such as an LTL city or route driver, and returns to the same work reporting location each day.

DOCUMENTS:

A. Required Documents:

Failure to upload ALL items below could disqualify your driver from judging.

1. MVR - A three (3) year MVR is required. The MVR must be dated within 30 days of nomination. (Upload at bottom of form)
2. Nomination Application (This completed form)
      Nominator Statement (Included below)
      Driver Questionnaire - Three Questions (Included below)

B. Supporting Documents:
Copies of documents such as newspaper articles, letters of recommendation, witness statements, accident reports, etc. are important to explain accidents and provide back up for awards and training assertions. Certificates of completion or participation must be included for training outlined in the application. PDFs only, maximum 10MB per file. Photos: JPG or PNG format, minimum 300 DPI. All documents must be clearly legible.

JUDGING:

Tier One
FTA Safety Management Council judging committee will score all nominations and select twelve (12) Drivers of the Month.

1. Length of accident-free record (in years), with a minimum of at least one (1) year. This is measured in number of consecutive accident-free years prior to the application date. NOTE: "Accident" for the purposes of this competition is defined as outlined as "DOT Recordable Accident" in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) $390.5. "Accident-free" shall mean "free of all DOT Recordable Accidents, regardless of fault."
2. Length of service as a driver with one (1) company.
3. Professional Development and Service
4. Driver Responses to questions and Nominator Statement

Tier Two
An independent panel of judges drawn from the law enforcement, regulatory and transportation sectors will select the Driver of the Year. The decision of the judges will be final. Nominees will be evaluated based on their community standing; safety record; acts of heroism (verified by witnesses and material evidence of their act); or other activity which may influence the judges' decision. Statements from insurance companies and/or the National Safety Council will be accepted as vouchers for accuracy of a driver's safety record.

TIMELINE:

• Competition period for this awards program is January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2025
• Applications are online January 9, 2026
• Nominations must be received online by Friday, March 13, 2026.
• SMC will convene a meeting to determine 12 Drivers of the Month, shortly after, tier two will meet to select the Driver of the Year.
• Selected Drivers will be notified via email, phone, and mail once tier two is completed
• Selected Drivers must attend Truck Driving Championships Award Banquet June 6, 2026, Daytona Beach, Florida.

 

DOT accidents as defined in 49 CFR $390.5 while driving trucks:

Accidents while driving personal vehicle: 

NOMINATOR STATEMENT - Why should this driver be considered for Driver of the Month/Driver of the Year?

List top 3 attributes of this driver and consider:

1. Driver's concern for the industry's image;
2. Driver's commitment to safety;
3. Driver's record as a safety leader;
4. Daily Attitude;
5. Ability to work with/teach other employees

Driver may be nominated for outstanding deed or heroism or highway courtesy, contribution to highway safety, long record of safe and courteous driving, etc. Specific information supporting the nomination-including dates, locations, and persons involved, as well as letters or other documents-should be attached.

Answer question fully. Your responses will be scored by the judges.

500 Word Limit

DRIVER QUESTIONNAIRE - Answer each question fully.  Your responses will be scored by the judges.

DRIVER RELEASE, CERTIFICATION AND AGREEMENT

A. I hereby authorize Florida Trucking Association (FTA) to obtain the following information in connection with my application for the FTA-SMC Safety Management Awards Program: criminal and/or motor vehicle records (from the Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Federal Bureau of Investigation, or consumer reporting agency), employment records, educational records, consumer reports, personal references and other job related data provided on this application or via the interview process. I acknowledge that FTA-SMC has informed me that it may make use of this information in evaluating my application for recognition. I hereby authorize FTA-SMC to make use of the above referenced information and release FTA and any entity that provides information to FTA from liability in connection with this information.

B. I certify that all the information I have provided on this form is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that giving false information or omitting requested information could result in rejection of my application or revocation of award.

C. In consideration of my being allowed to participate in this program of the Florida Trucking Association Safety Management Council, and to be eligible for any awards and recognition offered in this program, I hereby certify and agree to the following:   

1. All of the statements contained in the material submitted in support of my nomination are true. I authorize Florida Trucking Association and its representatives to make an independent check of all information contained herein.

2. I authorize Florida Trucking Association to use the above-described information about me and photographs subsequently taken under FTA direction in publicity and advertising activities. I further agree to make myself available for publicity arranged by Florida Trucking Association with newspapers, magazine writers, and radio and television journalists.

3. I understand and agree that I will travel to and attend the annual FTA SMC Awards Banquet, scheduled to take place at the TDC Banquet, June 6, 2026 in Daytona Beach, FL, or such other place or places, at such time or times, as arranged by Florida Trucking Association, if chosen as a finalist or winner in this awards program.

D. I will conduct myself in such a way as to protect and maintain the high honor bestowed upon me, and I agree that this recognition may not be used in any advertising, promotion, or exhibition except those sanctioned in writing by Florida Trucking Association.

COMPANY RELEASE, CERTIFICATION AND AGREEMENT

In consideration of our driver being allowed to participate in this program of the Florida Trucking Association Safety Management Council, this company does certify and agree to the following:

1. All of the statements contained in the material submitted in support of this driver's nomination are true to the best of the company's knowledge. These statements have been investigated by the company to the best of its ability, and a company representative has personally reviewed with the driver the facts contained herein.

2. It is understood and agreed to by the company that our driver will travel to and attend the annual FTA SMC Awards Banquet, or such other place or places, and at such time or times, as arranged by Florida Trucking Association, if chosen as a finalist or winner in this award program. All travel expenses will be the responsibility of the company.

The driver interview and investigation of the facts submitted in support of this nomination have been made by: