Early Life

Neha Thakur was born in Khudla village of Sarkaghat in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Growing up in the mountains, heavy vehicles were an important part of her childhood as her father worked as a local commercial truck operator. She was fascinated by heavy vehicles and recalled childhood memories of her father occasionally dropping her off at school in his truck.

Career

Neha started her professional journey by moving to Chandigarh to pursue aviation. After completing her training, she briefly worked in a corporate job for six months. However, the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the aviation industry, after which she returned home.

Inspired by her childhood fascination with heavy vehicles, Neha learned to manoeuvre heavy vehicles from her father. In 2023, at the age of 21, she successfully cleared her test to obtain a Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) licence.

She now professionally drives 12-to-16-tonne Tata commercial trucks, transporting building materials and agricultural goods through difficult Himalayan passes and long-distance national highways.

Alongside driving, Neha started her digital creation journey by recording trucking vlogs showing loading, mechanic repairs, highway conditions and other aspects of life on the road.

Education

Neha completed her local schooling in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. She later completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from a university in Himachal Pradesh. After graduation, she moved to Chandigarh for specialized air hostess and cabin crew training.

Family and Affairs

Neha prefers to keep her private affairs confidential and focuses public attention on her professional driving career. Neha comes from a supportive family in Himachal Pradesh. Her father, who has more than 20 years of experience as a truck driver, has been her lifelong role model and inspired her interest in truck driving.

Achievements

  • Himachal Pradesh's First Woman Truck Driver: She is widely recognised for becoming the state's first woman truck driver and driving heavy freight carriers across challenging terrain.
  • Pioneering Truck Vlogger: She has built a significant social media audience by documenting the realities of life as a truck driver.
  • Social Media Following: She has more than 8 lakh Instagram followers and 4.5 lakh YouTube subscribers.
  • HMV Licence: She successfully obtained her Heavy Motor Vehicle licence in 2023 at the age of 21.

Lifestyle

Neha's lifestyle combines long-distance truck driving and digital content creation. 

Trivia and Facts

  • She operates under the primary social media handle @nehuthakur2529.
  • Her father has been a truck driver for more than 20 years.
  • She obtained her HMV licence in 2023.
  • She drives 12-to-16-tonne commercial trucks carrying construction materials and agricultural goods.
  • Her content documents loading, unloading, mechanic work, highway conditions and long-distance journeys.
  • She faced skepticism and societal pushback for choosing a traditionally male-dominated profession, while her father supported her aspirations.
  • Her public message encourages young girls to ignore “log kya kahenge” and pursue their dreams.