Andrea García began her trucking career in the thick of Barcelona’s traffic, not on quiet country roads. At 21, she became Spain’s youngest female truck driver and took the wheel of a new Scania rigid truck loaded with 21 pallets, weaving through the city’s crowded streets. Barcelona’s congestion left little margin for error, while unpredictable motorbikes and impatient pedestrians added pressure. Every delivery demanded focus and quick reflexes.
Her first weeks were tough. She handled supermarket logistics, loading goods in the warehouse before delivering them directly to stores. Navigating the Diagonal during rush hour meant dealing with motorcycles cutting in and drivers ignoring the rules. The truck’s size made every risk feel bigger, and she finished many days exhausted.
Women make up only 2% to 3.8% of truck drivers in Spain, information from recent data from El Español. The figures show how rare such career paths remain for women in the sector.
Repetition built García’s confidence. Each day behind the wheel made her more comfortable, and the panic faded. Before driving trucks, she worked as a forklift operator in warehouses, moving pallets, a job that helped her adjust quickly to handling large vehicles. She was drawn to driving early on; by 18, she was already planning to get her heavy vehicle licenses. Her partner, now her husband, encouraged her and also drives trucks.
García’s progress stands out in a field where women remain rare. She often draws surprised looks and sometimes open skepticism from people who doubt her skills because she’s a woman. She responds with professionalism and patience, refusing to let others’ opinions define her. García hopes her example will encourage more young women to pursue their goals despite stereotypes.
Her experience also points to broader problems in Spain’s transport sector. García has called for regulatory changes, including better pay in some areas. She has also spoken about strict digital tachograph rules and long working hours. Other drivers have raised these issues as well, as reported in recent news about the pressures and fines Spanish truckers face under current laws.
The European Commission says the Spanish logistics sector continues to face impressive gender imbalance, with structural barriers limiting women’s entry and advancement. Spanish media, including ABC, also report that female applicants for truck driving jobs receive interview invitations in only 15% of cases, compared with 25% for men with identical experience. The figures point to persistent hiring discrimination.
Now 22, García is with her third transport company, working night routes and interprovincial trailer exchanges. She shares her experiences in interviews and on social media, aiming to show what freight transport is really like and push for better working conditions. She plans to finish a higher degree in Transport and Logistics, hoping to move into management while balancing her career with family life.
García’s story is unusual for the industry. She has learned the technical side of the job and drawn attention to cultural barriers, including regulatory ones, that remain in Spain’s trucking world.
