Comments By Sharron R.

Heather... don't give up and stay positive !! You'll know when you're ready to get back in the drivers seat.. until then, take this time to enjoy time with your son. Remember to breathe and know this isn't the end. Accidents do happen. Be completely honest when talking to other companies about what happened and also get copies of any and all reports, driving records, etc so you know what's what's on there. It's going to work out😀

My goodness, too much had happened while with my first trucking company, I ended up in a chargeable accident, but the state trooper was nice enough to drop the charges to a much lesser charge so I did not aquire any points on my cdl. I had alot of fun while on the road and felt more like I was on a long vacation than work. But after the accident, I lost alot of confidence, and lost my backing skills due to anxiety. I really loved being out there seeing everything, especially going over bridges with the ocean under me. I have not driven any truck since the end of June, I just don't think the timing is right for me at this moment. My question is: How long do I wait till I try again. I know if I wait too long I may lose the ability to drive at all. Just up in the air right now, don't know what to do?

Hey Lynn... I can relate!! I've tried so many different avenues of a career and either not finishing, and or doors not ever opening!!

Now 47, single, no kids.. (the whole family path just never happened for me for some reason). Always making minimum wage... cant even afford to spoil my great nephews, let alone take a trip!!

Many of my jobs have been connected to dealing with truck drivers... and every time I wanted to get in one of those trucks and go too, especially when they had a doggy with them lol. I see more and more solo women drivers as well as teams of husband and wife. 😀

I did a lot of research. The biggest issue for me was going away to school to get my CDL then work for that trucking company. It all sounded like a great deal, only I couldn't afford to just quit my job and leave with no income for a good 4 weeks or so. Or get my CDL hoping a good company would hire a brand new driver with no experience. So I found a school right in town, where I can continue to work my full time job until graduating. This school is connected to 3 or 4 large companies that will hire someone like me. i just got a 2nd job, part time, to save for school.

I decided now is the time... I'm older and seem more mature, lol,... so I'm going for it!!!

One of my trucker buddies where I work now says that the OTR drivers, in general, are a huge community... like family, where we all look out for each other!!! Plus everything is electronic, gps, etc... like logs and your company knows where you're at. There are lots of safe truck stops. It's all different now, then when my dad was a local driver 20+ years ago (I had to share that part with him so he knew I wouldn't be all alone out there) ☺

Congratulations on taking the steps... you got this Lynn!!! I hear Knight is a great company too!! I'm thinking of them or Werner Enterprises. Both let you have pet 🐕❤

I'm a 48 year old woman very seriously considering a truck driving career. The first time I felt drawn to it was in my twenties, but I worried about safety, and well meaning relatives said I was "too smart" to be a truck driver. What the hell. The more I read about this job, the more I hope I'm smart enough.

Anyway, I didn't do it, but every once in a while I'd think, if I were a man, I'd be a trucker. I like to drive and think about things and work by myself. It just suits me, but there was always a reason I couldn't.

Instead, I went to school for a million years, and I got diplomas. Fulfilling, but no one is knocking down my door to hire a 48 year old woman with a fiction writing degree. My income streams are drying up. I'm just about broke. My son is grown. And my milkshake no longer brings the boys to the yard, so I'm not worried about attracting unwanted attention in a male dominated field, so why not?

I was searching online for jobs for middle aged women over-educated in useless things, and I saw an ad, for truck drivers. Just for the heck of it, I applied, and they called me back right away, ready to whisk me off to a motel to start my new career.

Well, it seemed a bit too easy. I put that on the back burner for the moment, but it got me thinking that this might actually be possible. Maybe it's time. And I've spent the last month looking at countless YouTube videos and reading reviews and forums and truck company websites, and I keep waiting for my enthusiasm to wane, but it doesn't.

Now I'm studying for my CDL permit and will call the Knight recruiter back as soon as I've passed (They allow a pet on board, among other things.)

So, since I've been reading your posts so much, I just wanted to introduce myself. Hi!

Just noticed this Ladies section. New to truckertruth, so I had introduced myself in the "general" section. I'm 47, getting my CDL this Summer yaaay!! Always wanted to drive a semi.. and drive OTR. Looking forward to reading your posts, chatting, learning etc. Be safe out there!!!

Opus is a cutie💙!! I'm glad his brother (aka your son) will be with him and his mama while you and soon with your wife are OTR. They'll be with family who loves them and I'm sure spoils them too, lol!!

Turtle how often to you get to see that good boy over your right shoulder? I love dogs and I have a feeling that he is a good one. What's his name?

His name is Opus and yeah he's a good boy and a great friend. I have his mom too.

I begin orientation at Prime a week from Monday. It's gonna kill me to leave him behind, but he'll be with the wife. When I go solo and my wife goes with me, my son is going to rent my house from me so he will take care of the dogs while we're gone.

Hey Errol.. cool thanks for the pets link. Having a pet with me is important!! Porterville is about a half hour from Visalia. Farmersville sounds like it would be somewhere close 😀 I'm originally from Arcadia, CA (San Gabriel Valley).. but I've been like a gypsy and moved a lot since I was 20ish, lol. Have some family here in Visalia. Who knows, I may find another spot as I'm driving all over to hang up my gypsy hat.. well trucker hat?? Lol...

You may be interested in this: List Of Trucking Companies That Allow Pets

Visalia? Isn't that near Farmersville? Beautiful area. Lived in Porterville and Bakersfield for a while.

Hey Turtle!! I stumbled on TT when researching and yah, this really seems to be the best!! I definitely want to hear about the good and not so good about life in trucking. One of my trucker buddies where I work was telling me how OTR truck drivers in general are like a large community... we all lookout for each other like family!!

Yes, welcome Sharron!

As someone who spent the better part of the last year reading and researching various trucking sites, I can honestly say TT is by far the best, most informative, honest, and unbiased trucking site out there.

You will find everyone to be extremely helpful. Painfully honest also, even when it may not be what you want to hear. Believe me when I say we all have your best interest at heart. Good luck!

Thank you Robby.. I'll check them out!! 😀

Welcome Sharron! There is a plethora of great info here so dig and enjoy...here are the top three links for those interested in driving...have fun and God Speed!

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

New to truckingtruth, so I wanted to introduce myself. I'm 47, planning to get my CDL this Summer. I'm a bit of a loner, so driving OTR sounds cool to me... and having a dog as my co-pilot, lol. Wanting to get comfortable driving, and get used to the OTR life before I adopt my furbaby.

Looking forward to reading all your posts, chatting, learning, etc. Be safe out there!!!