Changing careers is never easy, especially when the new path is far removed from what you originally planned. For 25-year-old Neha Thakur from Himachal Pradesh, the journey took her from air hostess training to driving a 12-tonne truck across India.
Neha, from Khudla village in Sarkaghat in Mandi district, is known as one of Himachal Pradesh’s first women truck drivers. She also shares her journeys through social media videos and travel vlogs.
Trucks Were Part of Her Childhood
Neha’s connection with trucks began when she was a child. Her father, Manoj Thakur, has been involved in the transport business and has worked as a truck driver for more than two decades.
Neha often travelled with her father and developed an interest in trucks from an early age. In one of her social media videos, she recalled how her father would even drop her at school in his truck.
That early fascination stayed with her even after she chose a completely different career.
From Air Hostess Training to Truck Driving
After completing her graduation, Neha moved to Chandigarh and trained to become an air hostess. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought major disruption to the aviation industry.
She eventually returned to her hometown and began exploring another career. This time, she decided to turn her childhood interest in trucks into a profession.
Learning to Drive a Heavy Truck
Becoming a truck driver required Neha to learn how to handle a heavy commercial vehicle, including its gears, clutch and brakes.
She joined a driving school and obtained her Heavy Motor Vehicle licence in 2023 at the age of 21.
Her father played an important role in her journey. He supported her decision and helped her practise with the family truck, even as she faced doubts and criticism about choosing a profession traditionally associated with men.
From Local Roads to Long Routes
Neha initially drove mainly on local routes. Over time, she began taking longer journeys across different parts of India.
Today, she drives a 12-tonne Tata truck and has been reported to transport construction materials and agricultural produce across interstate routes. Her journeys can cover hundreds of kilometres.
Life Behind the Wheel
Truck driving can be challenging, particularly on the mountain roads of Himachal Pradesh. Neha has had to deal with narrow roads, changing weather, fog, rain and difficult terrain.
Long-distance driving also means irregular meals, spending nights away from home and dealing with unexpected situations on the road.
Neha has spoken about the doubts and criticism she faced when she entered the profession. Over time, her experience behind the wheel helped her gain confidence.
Turning Truck Journeys Into Vlogs
Neha also began documenting her life as a truck driver on social media. Her videos give viewers a look at the daily life of a trucker, including long-distance journeys, road conditions and the practical challenges of handling a heavy vehicle.
Her audience gradually grew, and she later began receiving brand collaborations. Reports published in 2026 said her YouTube following had crossed 4.5 lakh, while her Instagram following was reported to be more than 8 lakh.
Neha’s Message to Young Women
Speaking to The Times of India, Neha encouraged women to pursue careers that interest them even when those professions are not traditionally associated with women.
She said that people should not stop themselves simply because they are worried about what others might say. Neha also spoke about facing challenges during her own journey and the importance of trusting oneself and continuing to move forward.
More Than a Truck Driving Story
Neha’s journey is more than a story about becoming a woman truck driver. It is also about changing direction when life takes an unexpected turn.
Her journey began with a childhood fascination with her father’s truck, moved towards air hostess training and eventually brought her back to the road.
Today, every journey gives Neha another opportunity to learn. A vehicle breakdown, sudden weather change or unfamiliar road can turn a routine trip into a challenge, but these experiences have helped her become more confident behind the wheel.
For Neha Thakur, the road has taken her back to something she loved as a child — trucks, mountain roads and the confidence to take the wheel herself.
