I love to drive, advice would be appreciated.

[IRISHGYPSY]

I love to drive. A disagreement with my parents kept me from getting my first drivers license until I was an adult, and years later, I still feel joyful every time I get behind the wheel.

My favorite job EVER was as a courier for Larson Express, of Chicago [small package pickup and delivery, in my own car], which I loved. I got to drive a lot, worked independently, usually didn’t know where I would be going next, and got to think on my feet all the time.

I was sent information by pager/text-message, used that to fill out all necessary paperwork, used maps to figure out where the pick-up was and how to get there, where the drop-off was and how to get there, and how to combine jobs when working more than one at a time [3 to 5 was average]. Then I drove wherever necessary, dealing with whatever obstacles might come up, and fulfilled the contracts, often receiving new jobs along the way and working them in. I contacted Larson Express [by 2 way radio or telephone 800-number when out of range] only to acknowledge receiving a new job on the pager, to report having delivered a job, or [rarely] if I had a problem I couldn’t resolve independently. I went to the office once every week or so, when I passed nearby, to drop off my copies of paperwork and pick up blank forms.

I drove all around the Chicago-Milwaukee urban corridor, from downtown Chicago [including the Loop and Lower Wacker and Lower Michigan], all over Northeastern Illinois, Northwestern Indiana, and Southeastern Wisconsin, averaging 200 to 500 miles per day, and loved every minute. The only thing I found myself wanting was to go further; North of Lomira, WI; West of Madison, Beloit, & Rockford; South of Kankakee; East of Gary & Merrillville.

Previous jobs I liked have been: delivering pizzas for Dominos all over Racine and Kenosha Counties, and delivering the Chicago Tribune into vending machines all over Racine County.

I’ve also enjoyed driving friends and family [who think I’m nuts, because most of them hate driving] on trips throughout the mid-west, and to Philadelphia, and Oklahoma City.

When family issues required me to leave the job with Larson Express, I kept wanting to drive again, so when I got a chance I learned to drive a truck, then more family problems led me to take my present non-driving job to be close to home.

My child has grown and moved out, my best friend died in Spring of 2000 and my mate died in Fall of 2001. For the last few years I’ve been dazed, eating, sleeping, and working; going through the motions of life, just through habit.

I feel like I’m waking up now, and while I need [and want] to work for a long time yet, there is no more reason to keep THIS job except just to have ANY job. Family issues no longer exist. I find that I still want to drive.

I keep reading newspaper stories on the worsening shortage of truck drivers, especially long haul drivers, and the lack of women drivers [I'm a 40+ female]. It made me think that maybe some company is looking for a person like me. Even now, reading that the high fuel costs are making trucking impossibly expensive, I think stuff still needs to be moved, so a way will be found to get it done, and drivers must still be needed.

Although I have a CDL, I’ve had zero experience driving a truck since I got it, [Summer,1996] so I probably need a refresher course, which I cannot afford working at my present job, which barely covers living expenses. My license is class ABCD with N [tankers] and T [Double and triple trailers] endorsements. I originally had the H [hazardous materials] endorsement, and could get it again, but when I renewed my license, I didn’t take the time to retake the Haz-Mat test. I have also let my medical card expire.

I rarely drink at all, only take drugs for medical reasons, and have never had a drunk driving ticket or arrest.

Long ago, within a few years after I learned to drive a car, while working 2 jobs raising a child and going to school, I had my license suspended for getting too many points [too many violations in a short time period], and had an occupational license for a few months so I could continue to work.

Most recently, after many safe years, in 2005 I was ticketed for failure to obey a stop sign causing a property damage accident. I coasted through the sign, 2 blocks from my home, when my foot slid off the brake while trying to relatch my seatbelt, which I just realized had not latched properly and had come loose. My car hit and dented the other car in the intersection, with neither of us seeing the other until too late due to a building built much too close to that corner. My mistakes were; driving without breakfast after being up all night, not checking the belt better before leaving the driveway [it had done that before], and then not pulling over and stopping first when I found out it was loose.

I've been lurking and reading for a while and several people on this site seem to give very well thought out answers to other questioners. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, in advance.