Trying To Begin A Career In The Commercial Driving Field, Any Advice On What Steps To Take Would Be Appreciated.

Hi,

I am researching becoming a class A driver not sure what direction I should go.

Currently I possess a CDL class A with tanker & doubles/triples endorsements. Problem is I actually have little to no experience driving a tractor trailer. I picked up my license about 8 to 10 years ago at a job in the ports where I live, we occasionally drove a truck/trailer carrying piling however it was only occasionally and I did it for about 3 years and this was over 8 years ago. I've drove dump trucks, stake beds etc., basically class B trucks throughout my life, I don't have a problem getting in a class B truck and driving. I don't think it'd take much for me to learn to drive a big rig it's just I never drove one & not sure what to expect & how to go about getting training. I don't need the license or training to get the license being I currently have one, even my medical card is current.

Also I am 49 years old, is this to old to start this kind of career? I'm still in pretty good health, a little out of shape but that can be taken care of in no time. I am not a stranger to hard work & don't mind working hard as I've done my whole life coming from construction & skilled maintenance trades, these jobs are incredibly hard to get in this economy very sad.

Anyway, I thought I have this license so why not use it. I did apply for several class B jobs, had a few interviews but so far nothing. I was put on as a back up driver where I work part time at but nothing has really happened yet, I think next week I may get some training but it's not looking like it's really going to go anywhere.

Now I am looking into getting training in driving the bigger trucks which I am licensed for just lack the experience.

Would anyone have any good advice, direction, good company with paid training, good school or any ideas of what I could do. I see a lot of different options most of which are geared for people who don't have a license. I see a lot of company sponsored training in which is a contract with them, it seems they pretty much own you for a year or so, not sure if that is so bad being they train you for free & employ you. I'm just very knew at this & want to take the best path that will get me employed with confidence, I want to make sure I can drive these trucks safely & with confidence. Any advice would be very appreciated.

Thank you!

Paul...............

From what I've seen and heard most companies are going to want you to go through a school first. I went to school with a guy who was in his 50s, with 15 years experience otr. Since he had taken 5ish years out of a truck he had to go back to school first.

Aso far as your age, that is not at all too old. I went to school with a few people who were 5 years both ways of you.

From what I've seen and heard most companies are going to want you to go through a school first. I went to school with a guy who was in his 50s, with 15 years experience otr. Since he had taken 5ish years out of a truck he had to go back to school first.

Aso far as your age, that is not at all too old. I went to school with a few people who were 5 years both ways of you.

Right on thanks. I posted my question on other posts, I guess they where private posts, didn't realize this was wrong. Brand new on this chat site, so oh well. Anyway Do you have any advice on schools in CA?

Asking for help wasn't "what was wrong" with your post, it's that you posted it AT LEAST 6 times in 6 different threads (that are not private, by the way) in a matter of MINUTES....so it made you look like a spammer. You only need to ask once, and someone will reply for sure, that's how people are nice on here.

Asking for help wasn't "what was wrong" with your post, it's that you posted it AT LEAST 6 times in 6 different threads (that are not private, by the way) in a matter of MINUTES....so it made you look like a spammer. You only need to ask once, and someone will reply for sure, that's how people are nice on here.

Ok, got it, I just joined here so I didn't realize I was doing something wrong, I certainly was not trying to high jack a thread, why in the hell would I want to high jack a thread, lol??

The reason I posted it in the different threads like I did was to get as much response & advice as possible ASAP. I've been through employment hell for like 4 years, my trade has went to hell and now I am about to lose everything & I am doing everything I can to prevent this. The time has went by so fast it is unreal, I've never in all my life found so much trouble getting a job in my field, it's really sad. Realizing I have this license I figured try a trucking career and that is what I am trying to pursue however I am running out of time & money. I own a condo & will lose it if I don't find some income very soon. I do work part time but make very little money, no where near enough to keep bills paid. Been living primarily on savings & a Ira account that's pretty much exhausted. That is why I wanted all the info I can get on which direction to go to get started in a career driving. I have drove some commercial vehicles but not really the tractor trailer & looking at the best way to get training. I have a class A CDL with a tanker, doubles & triples endorsements but have never driven a tanker or doubles/triples. So I am ready to make this move just wondering what way to go, I see a lot of options & not sure which ones are scams and how to watch out for these scams.

Sorry for any hassles!

Paul................

You're not too old to start. Many start this new venture and are older than you. From what I've read, because you have not been driving a big rig, you probably have to take a refresher course. I'll let others chime in on this. This site is FULL of excellent info to help you.

You're not too old to start. Many start this new venture and are older than you. From what I've read, because you have not been driving a big rig, you probably have to take a refresher course. I'll let others chime in on this. This site is FULL of excellent info to help you.

Thanks very much, that would be awesome. Paul................

You're not too old to start. Many start this new venture and are older than you. From what I've read, because you have not been driving a big rig, you probably have to take a refresher course. I'll let others chime in on this. This site is FULL of excellent info to help you.

I work tonight (PST) so if I don't respond right away that is why. Thanks again! Paul

Hey Paul. The fact that you have your license will keep you from having to do the testing again but you're definitely going to have to go through some training. People that have a decent amount of experience but have been away from the game for a while can often times go through shorter refresher courses to get back in the swing of things but I'm not sure you have enough Class A experience for that to work for you.

Probably the fastest, easiest way for you to get going is to go through a Company-Sponsored Training Program. These are schools which are either owned and operated by a trucking company or the schooling itself is financed by a trucking company. You'll get the training with almost no money out of pocket and they'll have you on the road as quickly as possible.

I would apply like crazy to those companies and see who gives you an opportunity. If your background checks out well you might find yourself in a classroom at a company within a week or two.

Hey Paul. The fact that you have your license will keep you from having to do the testing again but you're definitely going to have to go through some training. People that have a decent amount of experience but have been away from the game for a while can often times go through shorter refresher courses to get back in the swing of things but I'm not sure you have enough Class A experience for that to work for you.

Probably the fastest, easiest way for you to get going is to go through a Company-Sponsored Training Program. These are schools which are either owned and operated by a trucking company or the schooling itself is financed by a trucking company. You'll get the training with almost no money out of pocket and they'll have you on the road as quickly as possible.

I would apply like crazy to those companies and see who gives you an opportunity. If your background checks out well you might find yourself in a classroom at a company within a week or two.

Yea I was looking at the company sponsored programs but they seem to be controversial & seem possibly sketchy, I'm not sure I am just going by reviews I read. Do you know people who went this route? If so, did it work out well for them? Do you have any suggestions of good, solid companies that would give good training? I'm good with being dedicated to them for a year or two or possibly make my career with them as long as I get trained well and they treat people half way decent. I was also considering going to a out side driving school, just not sure what I need in order to get the hands on. Yes you are correct I need the actual Class A experience, I have driving experience but it would be more with class B vehicles not actual big rigs. Thanks for the response. Paul