Considering Trucking, Live In Indiana Want To Start Career In Another State

Okay, so once again, I thank you all for helping me through this. I really mean it. And once again, sorry it is taking me awhile to catch on. But, I think I got it. If I want to work in a different state, move to that state, get a driver's license in that state, then apply for trucking jobs in that area.... I cannot (cannot is a most unusual conjunction of words) get a job in a state other than Indiana, because I am limited by the licence I currently have.... Well that is doable too. I can survive for a short while while I do relocation on my own... So, I will now consider where it is I want to be, locate there, and go from there... If I am still confused, please let me know.

Straight from the military: "If it sounds good on paper..." I was homeless when CRST hired me.

Papers say otherwise, but, hopefully you understand the meaning. A P.O. box works great. You can update your new WA CDL 90 days after "moving." This way it's the best of all worlds.

Good luck, and thank you for your service. :)

So Daniel, coming from service, even a couple years after honorable discharge, but have not worked since, a company might hire me in a different state, without first moving there and getting a licence in that state, just by mentioning that I am a veteran? Hopefully that is correct, it would make things easier.

So Daniel, coming from service, even a couple years after honorable discharge, but have not worked since, a company might hire me in a different state, without first moving there and getting a licence in that state, just by mentioning that I am a veteran? Hopefully that is correct, it would make things easier.

"Veteran" and "(whatever) State resident" are two different things. Many companies offer certain benefits for vets, but "hire from anywhere" isn't one of them. Get off the fixation that you might could just get a job in a different state and be moved by that company. The business of State of Residence has more to do with your driver license than anything. If a company wants to hire you, they will. If they hire only from states east of the Mississippi River, and you live in Missouri, maybe they won't be interested. If you live in MO and want to work for "Eastern States Freight", you may have to move across the river before they will talk to you.

And truck companies have enough applicants already. Many offer Free Training for Vets. And they will send you a bus ticket to get you to their school. And school may be in a different state. They probably aren't going to ask you to up and move, much less help you out in moving expenses.

Do you have the GI Bill you can use?

Wow Errol, such tone in your last response, not sure where it comes from. But, as you can see by my different reponses in figuring this out that I am ok either way, there was no fixation on my part. I still appreciate all the info you and others provide. But you make an assumption that is not grounded. But, from your response I also am understanding that companies do not hire by state as much as an area that might cover more than one state. So, if I live in Indiana and the area covers surrounding states, I could get hired by that company and work in a different state within that area. Do I understand that correctly?

Sergeant Willdog, thank you for your response. Unfortunately, I have too much college already, including using up a good portion of the GI Bill already. For me it is no longer an option. Wish I could do somethings over again.

Mark, I've been reading a lot about how things work. And, anyone can chime in and correct me on my unqualified advice! haha

So, I think as starting out you would want to go with one of the major carriers that have a company sponsored school. If qualified, they will hire you almost anywhere you live. Once you get your CDL , you can do OTR , which is every state, or Regional which is near where you live plus surrounding states, or LTL which is local. Members here suggest OTR or Regional the first year while you learn (not LTL).

Some carriers like to see a fresh CDL license before hiring. Within 90 days. So delay school until you are ready. I would also pick and move to the state you wish to live in before getting the CDL.

I don't want to give bad advice, but I think if you get your CDL in one state and then move to another state, you will have to find a truck and set up the driving test for a license in the new state. Does anyone know if that is true? I'm moving from TN to Tampa, FL in July so I'm delaying my start even though there is a Roadmaster across the street.

How about my own personal example. I live in Kentucky. I have a Kentucky CDL-A. I am going to work for a company based in Iowa. They do not have a terminal in Kentucky and their closest one is in Chicago. I will be driving in a midwest regional position. I do not live in the midwest, however I am within their hiring area (barely), so they will hire me.

They say they will have no trouble getting me home every week because I live in a major freight lane. They do have a small OTR division which runs through here to Nashville, Atlanta, and SC, so they have assured me hometime will not be a problem.

Is it clear as mud now? They're only hiring me because I live in their hiring area, abeit barely.

Mark, first, I apologize. I took your comments like "But, a company willing to bring me from Indiana to a different area, ... to mean you thought a company would pay for you to move. On re-reading your posts, I realize that's not there.

Last year in July the FMCSA (or whoever handles licenses at the national level) made a rule change. If you get a permit in your state of residence and go to driving school in another state, the "school state" should send the skills test result back home to complete your CDL license. You go back to your home state to get your actual license.

CFR §383.79

I haven't heard how this works exactly.

I find this thread soooo confusing!

Just for clarification, your license needs to be in the state where you reside. You don't need a license in the state of your trucking company's headquarters. I am licensed in Texas, but I am employed by a company from Arizona. My last employer was a trucking company in Tennessee. My license has always been from my state of residence - that never changes.

Once you land a job you never have to go home unless you want to.... Say you want to go to Vegas for a few days just let your dm know and they will get you there....