While visiting the Kelsall Steam and Vintage Rally near Chester, England, Mike and Alison Verran spotted Joyce Telick sitting on the ground, meticulously touching up the white writing on her tyres. With her well-presented truck and her attention to detail, they had to stop and say hello.

Joyce drives a 2023 530hp XG+ DAF for International C&M Transport, based in Wrexham, UK, carting general refrigerated products.

Truck driving is definitely in the veins of Joyce’s family. “I’ve always wanted to drive trucks since I was this high,” says Joyce, lowering her hand toward the ground. “My dad was a truck driver, and my mum drove trucks in the army.”

Joyce owned and ran a pub for eight years, but the yearning to drive trucks was always there. “I got to the point where I thought, ‘If I don’t do it before I’m 50, I’ll never do it’,” she recalls. “I just wish I had done it earlier. I just love it; it’s in my blood.”

While enjoying some time out at the show, and catching up on some touch-ups, Joyce wasn’t sure where she was off to on Monday. “I cover all of the UK,” she says, “I’m away all week, every week. My kids are all grown up, which allows me to do this. I’ve been doing it for 12 years now.”

Joyce echoed the sad reality that Mike and Alison heard many times when chatting to drivers in the UK and Europe. “Parking up overnight is a nightmare in this job,” says Joyce. “It’s just not safe anymore. You lose your diesel – I’ve had mine nicked twice – you lose your load…”

Despite the issues, Joyce wouldn’t want to be in any other job. As displayed on the front of her truck, she is a proud member of Mother Truckers, the Lady Truckers Club. Mike and Alison were blown away by Joyce’s enthusiasm for the job, as well as her dedication to her truck.

The vexing question presented to Joyce was, ‘Your favourite song?’ Without delay, Joyce said, Jumping all over the World, by Scooter.