After leaving healthcare, Xaima earned her truck licenses in just six months and now drives international routes. She speaks out about exhausting workdays, gender stereotypes, and her ambition to own a truck in a male-dominated industry.
At 25, Xaima has already made two bold career moves. After working in hospitals and care homes during the pandemic, she reached a breaking point and decided to switch paths entirely. Within half a year, she secured her truck driving licenses and took on her first international route from La Coruña, stepping into a profession still seen by many as a male preserve.
Speaking on the podcast Rutas de Éxito, Xaima recalls her initial hesitation about entering what she calls a “man’s world.” That feeling faded quickly once she discovered the sense of freedom and purpose she found behind the wheel. The truck cab, she says, became her real passion.
This isn't about men or women—it's just a job.
Yet the job comes with serious challenges. Xaima is frank about the toll of long, demanding workdays. She believes the excessive hours are a major reason why younger people avoid the sector. “We work too much,” she says, arguing that a 12-hour daily limit, with no more than nine hours actually driving, would be enough to make the job sustainable. For her, weekends are non-negotiable time off.
Retirement is another concern. Xaima points out the stark difference between aging in a sedentary office job and spending decades at the wheel of a heavy vehicle. She also faces persistent gender stereotypes, including comments about her clothing, but insists that professionalism is not defined by appearance.
Her ambition is clear: one day, she wants to buy her own truck. She admits it’s a tough goal, but for now, she’s focused on gaining experience and enjoying the journey. Xaima encourages other women to consider trucking, stressing that “this isn’t about men or women—it’s just a job.” She warns, however, that those drawn only by the salary will be disappointed.
On the financial side, Xaima feels her pay matches the demands of her routes, but says feeling valued matters more than the paycheck. Her approach is echoed by other young women in Spanish transport, such as Andrea García, who is also breaking barriers in the industry—a story highlighted in recent coverage of Spain’s youngest female truck driver.
According to elespanol motor, Xaima’s story reflects a wider debate about working conditions and generational change in Spanish transport. The sector faces a shortage of young drivers, and the push for better hours and more inclusive workplaces is gaining momentum. For now, Xaima finds stability and a sense of safety in her cab, even during long nights on the road—a small but significant victory in a field slow to change.
