17 Yr CDL...Not Enough Experience

I have had a CDL for 17 years, I stopped driving and got into Law Enforcement; I have retired and want to go back to driving but I can't find a company that will hire me and give me a refresher course. Has anyone else ran into this problem? Seems it would be better if I didn't have a CDL at all. Can anyone give me advice on how to get my foot back in the door?

You've kept your CDL active (Medical Card, etc.) all these years?

You should be able to get into Prime or any of the majors - by being willing to come in as a student and doing to "obligated service". You'll be able to bypass the DMV stuff, but still have to do all the training miles.

Rick

I didn't have to keep up on my Medical card because I was State Law Enforcement and I was exempt, but since I have retired I went and got it completed so that it would be current. Being an LEO we had to keep yearly physicals anyway. I have always known I would get back into trucking, I just didn't realize it would be so hard....

Not really that hard - you just have to start from scratch - even though you hold a CDL.

You're still going to be ahead of the game having held one (like riding a bicycle). But having been off the road for SO LONG (considering most of the kids coming into trucking were in diapers when you got your CDL), just suck it up and enjoy the training.

I haven't driven since '09 (save for the occasional equipment move for a friends company), but have kept my CDL/TWIC/HM/Med current. I'll have no problem going through the full training course, I WANT the "re-training" - it will only serve to make me a BETTER DRIVER.

Thanks for your LEO service. Best of luck - keep us posted on your progress...

Rick

I'm just trying to find a company to put me back through school, I would love to do it because I never went to a school. I learned the hard way...lol I went with my cousin 1 day and he pulled over and said I was going to learn to drive and I better not wreck his truck and if I did I better make sure he was dead because if not he was going to kill me....I drove from that day on spending every extra moment with him driving. So to go to a school would be great...lol Besides I know a lot has changed and I need to get an update.

Whereabouts are you located?

If you're above the I-4 line, you should have no problems getting on with any company that does training. Some may ask you to downgrade your license to a Class E, get a permit and go through the whole shooting match again.

Which, again - might not be the most horrible of ideas.

The only thing that makes me not want to downgrade - is having to re-do my passenger endorsement (pre-trip/road test in a bus) which would be an extra expense and PITA.

Best thing you can do - is START APPLYING. Prime, Swift, etc.

Rick

I'm south of that just off hwy 27 in glades county. I applied with several i'm just waiting on them to call. I talked to a recruiter at CR England and he said they do hire people like me and said he needed me to speak to the senior dispatcher. So he took my number and said he would have him call me as soon as possible. I don't want to give up my CDL because I just renewed it. I could be driving right now but the company that offered me a job had no health insurance and the truck was awful as in no AC and I couldn't get the door open from the inside...lol I was no thanks

Try western express.

I don't understand why any of the major companies wouldn't take you since you're willing to go through the training. I also don't understand why the England recruiter would connect you with a dispatcher , senior or not. I can make some calls tomorrow, if you would like me to, and see if I can get some answers for you and perhaps a direct number to get you connected. The concern I would have is whether or not England hires from that area. I did meet one couple at a shipper recently who are from Florida.

Thanks I will check with Western Express.... Phoenix.. The recruiter from England did call me back and of course I am just out of their hiring area or they would have taken me..... Some of the other companies that say they hire and put you through school will not hire me because I already have a CDL which makes no sense considering i'm willing and trying to go back through a school to get the updated experience I need. It seems to me like it would be cheaper for them because they would not have to invest as much money or time with me.... Oh well someone will eventually give me a chance and when they do they will see what a great employee they have, I will be very dedicated to the company I work for because they gave me a chance.