Contestants who competed/are competing for the first time in both the State and National Truck Driving Championships are eligible to be named Rookie of the Year. The National Rookie of the Year is the Contestant with the highest score and takes into account the input of the pre-trip inspection judges and his/her den mother(s) regarding his/her professionalism.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 1989 |
Ronald L. Higgins Consolidated Freightways Renton, WA / 3- Axle |
| 1990 |
David J. Sherven Roadway Express Wisconsin / 4- Axle |
| 1991 |
John M. Blackston Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Georgia, 5-Axle |
| 1992 |
Paul M. Copeland Publix Super Markets Florida / Straight Truck |
| 1993 |
Randy Griffin Overnite Transportation Tennessee / Tank Truck |
| 1994 |
John J. Maddox, Jr. Con-Way Southwest Express, Inc. Mississippi / 3-Axle |
| 1995 |
Dave N. Hardman Hadley Auto Transport Utah / Auto Transporters |
| 1996 |
Andrew J. Kelly Viking Freight Systems, Inc. Wyoming / Twins |
| 1997 |
Mark A. Gluth USF Reddaway, Inc. Montana / 3- Axle |
| 1998 |
Raymond A. Thielenhouse Con-Way Central Express Illinois / Flatbed |
| 1999 |
Morris O. O'Keefe Con-Way Central Express, Inc. Massachusetts / Straight truck |
| 2000 |
Walter F. Crean, III J.R. Christoni Inc. Connecticut / Flatbed |
| 2001 |
Randy J. Pehrson Wal-Mart Inc. Colorado / Tank Truck |
| 2002 |
Marcus R. Byrd FedEx Freight East Mississippi / Twins |
| 2003 |
Gerald P. Bonin Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC Louisiana / Tank Truck |
| 2004 |
Richard W. "Wayne" Crowder FedEx Freight Kentucky / Flatbed |
| 2005 |
Donald W. Jepson Roadway Express, Inc. Wisconsin / Sleeper Berth |
| 2006 |
Timothy S. Cohen FedEx Ground Connecticut / 3-Axle |
| 2007 |
Jason D. Matte FedEx Freight Mississippi / 5-Axle |
| 2008 |
Robert A. Romando FedEx National LTL Arizona / 3-Axle |
| 2009 |
Brandon E. Souder Con-Way Freight Kentucky / Flatbed |
| 2010 |
Joseph E. Hicks Con-Way Freight Rhode Island / 3-Axle |
| 2011 |
Michael T. Andrews H-E-B Grocery Co. Texas / 3-Axle |
| 2012 |
Robert A. Stutton ABF Freight System, Inc. Idaho / 3-Axle |
| 2013 |
Bruce B. Renton Holland Michigan / Straight Truck |
| 2014 |
David Guin Publix Super Markets, Inc. Florida / 5-Axle |
| 2015 |
Brook M. Figgins FedEx Freight Colorado / Sleeper Berth |
| 2016 |
Richard Merich FedEx Freight Colorado / Flatbed |
| 2017 |
Bryce Neilson FedEx Freight Montana |
| 2018 |
Ronald Zieser FedEx Freight Oregon |
| 2019 |
John Sanderson FedEx Freight Oregon / 3- Axle |
| 2022 |
Tyler Tollefson FedEx Freight North Dakota |
| 2023 |
Myron Means Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc Wyoming / Flatbed |
| 2024 |
Todd Gimpel FedEx Freight Twins |