might be new driver in a few years...

[vision-quest]

i turn 17 next month and im a junior in highschool. I play football and run track. Im really looking into being a truck driver out of high school. What does it take? what do you need to know? how old do you have to be? also it be cool to hear some stories of what its like. Thanks alot

Vision-quest

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by vision-quest

i turn 17 next month and im a junior in highschool. I play football and run track. Im really looking into being a truck driver out of high school. What does it take? what do you need to know? how old do you have to be? also it be cool to hear some stories of what its like. Thanks alot

Vision-quest

frankly if i were you, i'd try to get into a technical college or even a state college and get into another line of work.

first, you need to be 21 to drive out of state.

you might get lucky to be hired at 21 and go OTR, but the way things are now, 21 may be too young for some companies.

trucking school can be expensive.

the life of a trucker IS NOT like any movie you may have seen.

its a job of many inconviences, and solitude, and at times, distances so far away from home, you'll just want to up and quit.

you will miss out on some family gatherings, birthdays, etc,etc.

you will miss being with your friends.

if you still (at this moment) want to drive a truck, right now, get your education first. maybe even get a business degree of some sort. that WILL help you in the future as a driver.

[ltl1]

STAY IN SCHOOL. If your dead set on this I would start at ups as a package loader and work your way to a driver.

[vision-quest]

well the thing is that i dont get that great of grades to go to a well known college:// But ive always wanted to travel and i love to drive long distances. Ive always been a road geek and ive been in the passanger side of semi trucks and i thought it was real cool. my other career intrests are civil engineering but i dont know if ive got good enough grades to go into that field.

As a junior in highschool im taking a personal finance class right now and im just trying to find out what career is best for me. ive never liked staying in one place for several hours i can hardley stand my hour and half long classes. going new places and discovering different roads has always been fun for me.

just a little more about me.

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by vision-quest

well the thing is that i dont get that great of grades to go to a well known college:

not everyone does get great grades, but passible ones. as long as you can pass any SAT tests, or have the money, a college should take you, especially a "community" college or a state college, do not under sell yourself.

But ive always wanted to travel and i love to drive long distances. Ive always been a road geek and ive been in the passanger side of semi trucks and i thought it was real cool.

traveling as a passenger is one thing, and no responsibility to the truck or the job, you're just a passenger. so there, it can be cool, but its still a job.

my other career intrests are civil engineering but i dont know if ive got good enough grades to go into that field.

your guidance counseler at school (or whatever they are called these days) can help direct you into a field of your choice. if that person however quickly pushes you towards automotive repair or trucking, that person isn't really helping you.

As a junior in highschool im taking a personal finance class right now and im just trying to find out what career is best for me.

this is a good start. it gets you familiar with expenses and such, and can even lead you to another job/career, and that's one of being an accountant, or tax laws.

ive never liked staying in one place for several hours i can hardley stand my hour and half long classes. going new places and discovering different roads has always been fun for me.
just a little more about me.

well the good news is, as a driver you WILL be traveling.

the bad news, you WILL BE SITTING in the same seat for several hours on end.

going to new places and discovering different roads gets old real quick.

as said, stay in school maybe even go onto a junior college or something, because you will still be too young to cross state lines at 18 and with a CDL. it would be (my opinion) a waste of time and money when you cannot earn big money right away by going OTR.

and from now till then, maintain a clean driving record, do not get arrested for DUI's, or whatever else, stay away from drugs.

one slip-up here, can AND WILL end your driving career, before it even starts.

best to stay "squeaky clean".........

[ltl1]

Well why not look into the miltary they have alot of training options available.The whole trucking thing may look cool and fun from the passenger seat but there is very little money in otr for the amount of hours involved.