Born deaf, Richard Boehrer developed a passion for professional driving at the young age of ten. Determined to turn his childhood dream into reality, he pursued his Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) despite significant challenges and widespread skepticism. In 1987, against all odds and in the face of those who insisted it could not be done, Boehrer proudly earned his CDL, marking the first major milestone in a career that would inspire many.

“They say deaf people can’t be truck drivers,” Boehrer shared. “I want to prove that the deaf are capable. People often believe we can’t, but the truth is, we can.”

Boehrer joined Knight Transportation more than a decade ago, building a highly successful career driving for both the company’s dry freight and refrigerated divisions. His performance and dedication have earned him the respect of colleagues and customers alike.

“He uses his disability as a platform to prove people wrong, and I believe that’s one of the things he enjoys most,” remarked Chris Schell, Boehrer’s terminal manager. “Richard is among our safest drivers and recently surpassed the remarkable milestone of one million accident-free miles.”

While on the road, Boehrer wears hearing aids and communicates through a translator when needed. His professionalism and engaging personality have consistently earned him positive feedback from customers. Within the company, his communication is seamless, when meeting with his terminal manager, the two converse face-to-face via text messages, often engaging in conversations that last thirty minutes or more.

In an effort to dispel misconceptions surrounding deaf truck drivers, Boehrer is scheduled to appear on the company’s podcast, Beyond The Rig, where he will share insights about his upbringing and experiences in the trucking industry. A passionate advocate for the deaf community, Boehrer served for five years as an administrator with Deaf Truckers United and remains an active member to this day.

“We can overcome the challenges we face in our work and achieve success,” he affirmed, a belief he continues to live out each day on the open road.