The American Trucking Assns. (ATA)-sponsored National Truck Driving Championships begins today in the Tampa Convention Center.

During the event, professional drivers in eight truck types recognized as state champions in safe driving compete in challenges that test their skills. These tests include an alley dock, a rear stop line, a side park, a scales stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On Aug. 20, a National Grand Champion Truck Driver will be announced, along with champions in each truck size category. The state team with the highest score will also be honored.

The competitors have a combined record of 494,846,147 accident-free miles piloting commercial vehicles, ATA said.

For more information, go to ntdc.truckline.com.