From Driving School to Heavy Haulage: My Journey Through the Transport Industry
- Mandy Solar
- Sep 15, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 25, 2025
I never set out thinking I’d end up in the transport industry. My career actually began as a car driving instructor, spending my days teaching new learners the rules of the road. But one casual conversation with a friend changed everything.
They planted the idea: “Have you thought about truck instructing?”
At that point, I couldn’t even drive a manual car, let alone handle a manual truck. But the seed was there. Curiosity got the better of me, and a few weeks later, I booked a two-hour lesson in a crash box truck. (Pro tip: I probably should have Googled what a “crash box” was before climbing in that cab!)
Learning the Ropes
That first attempt at my licence didn’t go as planned—I failed because I couldn’t find a gear within five seconds. But failure wasn’t the end of the road. On my second attempt, I nailed it. Three days later, I landed a job with Followmont Transport. It took a month to wind down my driving school before I could officially start, but on a cold July morning, I walked through the doors of my first truck driving job.
I wasn’t handed one of the shiny trucks you often see rolling down the highway. No, my first rig was one of the oldest, dingiest trucks in the fleet—Unit 253. And yet, I loved it. Together, 253 and I made daily runs from Eagle Farm to Samford. Over time, I moved onto different runs, learning, growing, and enjoying every moment. But eventually, my goals shifted, and it was time to chase the next adventure.
Old-School Trucking, Modern Lessons
That next chapter was with CKC Haulage—a small, family-oriented company with old-school trucking values. I’m talking flat tops, dogs and chains, and tarps. (A twisted kind of hard work that, I admit, I secretly loved.)
If I ever wanted to experience old-school trucking in a modern world, this was the place to be. While at CKC, I upgraded my licence to MC and teamed up with Dafne—my trusty truck—for both local and highway runs. It was at CKC that I learned some of my biggest lessons and spent the most time growing as a driver.
From there, I stepped into training and mentoring, first with Jim Pearson Transport, helping new drivers build confidence and skill in one of the toughest yet most rewarding industries out there.
Today, I’ve come full circle—returning to Followmont Transport, this time as a Driver Trainer.
It’s been a surreal and empowering feeling to come back to where it all started, now in a position to guide others as they begin their own journeys. The same company that gave me my first opportunity behind the wheel has welcomed me back to help shape the next generation of professional drivers.
For me, this role isn’t just a job—it’s a passion. Being able to guide, support, and inspire others on their journey in transport brings me more satisfaction than I could have ever imagined back when I was teaching car lessons.
Every truck, every road, and every challenge along the way have led me here. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that sometimes the most unexpected seeds grow into the most rewarding journeys.
Mandy Solar is a dedicated transport and logistics professional with a passion for safety, compliance, and mentoring the next generation of drivers. From starting out as a car instructor to becoming a heavy-vehicle driver trainer, Mandy’s journey reflects grit, growth, and resilience. Through Roads & Resilience, she shares her story and champions the voices of women in transport, inspiring others to find strength and purpose on the road ahead.
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