I want to be a truck driver

[GaKitty]

Hello out there. I really want to be a truck driver. I've given this a considerable amount of thought. My kids are grown. I'm single. I've been looking in to schools and reading up on companies. Looking for open and honest feedback. Any advice?

Not just a spure of the moment, light bulb idea. This is something I've wanted to do for a long long time. But raising a family took 1st priority and my ex wasn't interested in having a truck driving wife. So now that that's pretty much done with.. raising family, that is.. I say.. why not? Let me hear what ya think... what's the best way to go about this..?

By the way.. i'm new to the message bored things.. so if I put this in the wrong place.. somebody let me know.. lol

[pro1driver]

Originally Posted by GaKitty

Hello out there. I really want to be a truck driver. I've given this a considerable amount of thought. My kids are grown. I'm single. I've been looking in to schools and reading up on companies. Looking for open and honest feedback. Any advice?

Not just a spure of the moment, light bulb idea. This is something I've wanted to do for a long long time. But raising a family took 1st priority and my ex wasn't interested in having a truck driving wife. So now that that's pretty much done with.. raising family, that is.. I say.. why not? Let me hear what ya think... what's the best way to go about this..?

By the way.. i'm new to the message bored things.. so if I put this in the wrong place.. somebody let me know.. lol

male or female, it doesn't matter. with things the way they are now, unemployment, lay-off's, closings, hiring freezes, you might NOT get a trucking job for some time.

since you had raised your family, you probably had no time to have "gone bad" and racked up a bad history of arrests, or accidents on your driving record. this MIGHT help you, but its no guarantee.

do what you can to obtain high grades in school maintain a good attendance, and try hard.

probably what you "might" have said to anyone of your kids.....???

and welcome to the boards.

PS..........you're in the right board, but i think you needed to click onto "new thread" at the upper left corner....???

that way, you start your own thread.

i'm sure a moderator or admin will move this to your own thread soon enough.

[GaKitty]

Thank you so much for the advice.

You're so right on the "gone bad" point. Nope.. no arrests or bad riving record. Don't drink or do drugs. Not looking for a big cash win fall. Kids are all grown. Youngest is 19. I just want to be able to take care of myself and enjoy driving. Hopeing that I could find something city or regional. Not interested in anything long hauling.. like accross the states. Something just in the southeastern region. Ya know..

I see lots of posts for CDL drivers though. All the time. Is why I thought it might still be good.

I think they moved my post.. lol. Thanks for the tip on starting a new thread..

Kitty

[JLKKLJ777]

Going to an accredited trucking school will be your first step into joining the ranks.

You may do this in different ways,

The first (and best) way is to get your local unemployment office involved. If you are a "displaced worker" they may have some funds set aside for retraining. This is usually a grant and will be very helpful in paying the school tuition on your behalf.

Second option is to pay cash for the schooling (or borrow the money from a friend, relative, or bank).

Third option would be to sign on with one of the larger OTR carriers that accept student drivers. They will train you provided you agree to work for them for 1 to 2 years after you graduate school. If you decide to quit before your terms are met they will expect you to pay for the training out of your pocket.

There is a fourth option called DIY (Do It Yourself). which means you study on your own and "borrow" a friends truck to take the road test in. The problem with this option is most carriers' insurance companies have strict guidelines on who they may hire. This is where going to an "accredited school" comes in.

Normally new entrants to the trucking industry will have to become OTR drivers. Most local and regional carriers will require 1 to 3 years of experience including all terrain AND all weather driving. Of course there are always exceptions to the rules so do not be totally discouraged. Just understand that you may have to go OTR to get your foot in the door.

The other thing to consider is we do have an over supply of truck drivers right now due to the current recession. There are many qualified drivers with several years of experience that are out of work and you may find yourself competing with these veterans for a job.

Of course seasoned vets will normally avoid the mega carriers which is where you will probably have to start.

[GaKitty]

Thank you so much for the advice. It's been very helpful. I'm beginning to see that I may have to do the paid training rout. Seeing that that's the only way I'm going to get my foot in the door. Twords the direction I'm interested in going. Perhaps by the end of that first year, thing will have picked up resession wise as well as industry wide.

Keep on truckin'

[Cerberus_Kelpie]

Are there any Community Colleges near ya?
Some of these offer Truck Driver Training Courses with the costs being WAY under what some private schools charge.

Here in NC there is a Quick Jobs program however due to I'm sure this recession, the Truck Driver course has been omitted for the Summer session.
It stated a cost of $700.00 compared to MANY private schools anywhere from $2200.00-$6000.00 which may or not be recognized by Trucking Freight Companies.

WE need more Women in Trucking as WE have an overabundance of Testosterone poisoning.

I hope whatever route you venture upon delivers what you're seeking!!