The competition, staged at Mercedes-Benz, Wentworth Park, Barnsley, challenged 19 shortlisted drivers in terms of driving skills (fuel economy and driver behaviour), manoeuvring, risk awareness, legislative knowledge and identification of pre-use vehicle defects.
Pickering received his trophy from Sam Whittaker, director of customer service and operations at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. He also picked up prizes for the pre-use defect check and economical driving tasks.
Next up will be the crowning of the Truck Driver of the Year 18 tonne, sponsored by Bridgestone Tyres, and the Van Excellence Driver of the Year, sponsored by LeasePlan UK.
Logistics operators including Speedy Services, Central England Co-Operative, Bookers, Ceva Logistics, Matalan, XPO Logistics and United Biscuits and among those represented at the competition.
The overall winner of the entire driver contest will be revealed at the Freight in the City expo, at Alexandra Palace on 2 November 2016.