The 2024 International Driver Excellence Award Program is closed. Nominations for the 2025 award will open in spring 2025.
As the leading organization working to improve commercial motor vehicle safety and enforcement by providing guidance, education and advocacy for enforcement and industry across North America, CVSA recognizes the exceptional careers of professional commercial motor vehicle drivers and their commitment to public safety. CVSA officially acknowledges these individuals through the annual International Driver Excellence Award (IDEA).
This annual award recognizes individuals who go above and beyond the performance of their duties as a commercial vehicle driver, distinguishing themselves conspicuously and beyond the call of duty through the achievement of safe operation and compliance carried out with evident distinction for an extended period of time. The nominated individual must be of personal character beyond reproach with no disqualifying past behavior, as indicated in the award criteria.
IDEA is open to the entire commercial motor vehicle industry. You do not have to be a member of or affiliated with CVSA to apply.
Criteria
Nominees must have:
- At least 25 cumulative years of crash-free driving in a commercial motor vehicle with a clean driving record for the past three years
- No felony convictions
- No safety-related driving suspensions in the past three years
- No driver violations in the past three years, excluding form and manner violations
The Award
The IDEA winner will be presented with their award and receive public recognition at the general session and awards ceremony on Sept. 9 at the CVSA Annual Conference and Exhibition in Big Sky, Montana.
The IDEA winner will receive:
- A check for $5,000
- A crystal trophy
- Economy flight for the winner and one guest to Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana (arrival on Sept. 8, departure on Sept. 10)
- Two-night (Sept. 8 and 9), one-room hotel stay at Big Sky Resort
Announcement of the IDEA winner will be shared nationally through a news release, on the CVSA website and through social media. A feature article on the award winner will run in CVSA’s quarterly magazine, “Guardian.”
Nomination, Review and Selection Process
The IDEA Program Committee will review and authenticate IDEA nominations. The final decision to recognize and honor the nominee will be made by the CVSA Executive Committee. CVSA is not required to select a winner if the nominees do not exemplify the qualities of the IDEA program.
Questions?
Visit our FAQs page for the answers to questions we receive about IDEA.
For more information, contact CVSA Fatigue Management Specialist Rodolfo Giacoman.