Consider Being A Truck Driver

Hi, Kevin here and I have a lot of questions to ask so I will apologize in advance.

I was considering being a truck driver a few years ago but I wasn't 21 and it would've been hard to get a trucking job that wasn't out of state driving. But now I am 21 and I find myself interested in the trucking jobs again. What I have read and liked about the different lifestyle is how it's almost a minimalist lifestyle, you don't have a bunch of everything just enough of everything.

I'd like to think the trucking jobs would be good for me because: I'm young, 21. I have no responsibilities, I have no one I have to care for. The money I would make my first year would be plenty. I absolutely love to drive, regardless what the vehicle is, except for a geo. I always wanted to kind of explore the continental United States and see how different states are. I am a very hard worker, my employer of my last job saw this. And frankly I just don't know what to do with my life yet and I think getting a different perspective on life throughout the country might help. And if not then I was still able to explore the US and make money, which I enjoy.

So some questions I have are. Is it better to get a CDL yourself and get a job with a trucking company? or Is it better to get a job with a company that pays for your CDL in exchange of you working for them? Is there anything I can ask myself is being a trucker would be a good idea? And finally what else should I read/learn/know about being a truck driver?

Thanks for your time reading and commenting.

-Kevin

Kevin welcome first of all. I too am considering trucking, but I am at the other end of the spectrum from you. I am 53 and retired from my primary career. Kids are grown and have their own lives to lead. I do have a girlfriend that I love dearly, but not tied to the hip so to speak. I spent several years in the Navy and was blessed with travelling have way round the world when I was your age. The life experience you gain from experiencing new things is priceless. At your age it will help shape you for the future. I have life long friends that have never been more than a couple hundred miles from home. They have missed out on a lot in life experience by that lifestyle, but that was their choice. It sounds to me like your motivation is in the right place to fit in, but again I am an outsider looking in. Many of my friends have been truckers and always told me to stay away, but I have always had a hard time listening....This is a great place to learn more, I sure have the past week not only about the career choice of trucking, but I have done a lot of reflecting on what is really important in my life. I wish you the best of luck with your decision and wish you well in life.

Hi, Kevin here and I have a lot of questions to ask so I will apologize in advance.

I was considering being a truck driver a few years ago but I wasn't 21 and it would've been hard to get a trucking job that wasn't out of state driving. But now I am 21 and I find myself interested in the trucking jobs again. What I have read and liked about the different lifestyle is how it's almost a minimalist lifestyle, you don't have a bunch of everything just enough of everything.

I'd like to think the trucking jobs would be good for me because: I'm young, 21. I have no responsibilities, I have no one I have to care for. The money I would make my first year would be plenty. I absolutely love to drive, regardless what the vehicle is, except for a geo. I always wanted to kind of explore the continental United States and see how different states are. I am a very hard worker, my employer of my last job saw this. And frankly I just don't know what to do with my life yet and I think getting a different perspective on life throughout the country might help. And if not then I was still able to explore the US and make money, which I enjoy.

So some questions I have are. Is it better to get a CDL yourself and get a job with a trucking company? or Is it better to get a job with a company that pays for your CDL in exchange of you working for them? Is there anything I can ask myself is being a trucker would be a good idea? And finally what else should I read/learn/know about being a truck driver?

Thanks for your time reading and commenting.

-Kevin

Kevin, I too was in your situation. As soon as I turned 21 I went to school and I just turned 22 and have been driving for almost a year now. So my answer is coming from a person the same age as you who went through what you're going through. Me and you were exactly identical based on your post.

First of all. You being 21 doesn't mean that trucking would be good for you. Trucking can be your best friend or your worst enemy. This job isn't for anyone whether you like to drive or not. Its a difficult job and its a complete overhaul of your life. A lot of people cannot handle it, thats why the turnover ratio is so high. People come in expecting the wrong things. A bad day in a warehouse job is just a bad day. A bad day in trucking could be life changing.

Is it better to get a CDL yourself and get a job with a trucking company? or Is it better to get a job with a company that pays for your CDL in exchange of you working for them?

This is the million dollar question. There is no "better" route to take. It really depends on the individuals financial situation.

A private school costs a lot of money. They get you your license and thats it. They'll work with you. You're a paying customer.

A company sponsored school is basically a bootcamp. You will constantly feel unprepared and its extremely fast-paced. There is no guarantee. They won't work with you forever.

Brett wrote a wonderful article about this exact question. You can find it at Private School VS. Company Sponsored Scool.

Its difficult to know if trucking is right for you without you actually doing it. Some people think they can handle it but once they get a week into it they realize the solitude and loneliness can be overwhelming.

I hate linking articles because it makes me feel lazy. But honestly, Brett wrote these articles about exact things you're wondering about and he answers it better than anyone of us can.

So this will help you know if trucking is right for you. Lets not forget about the time spent alone. It can be very hard to get used to it. So definately think long and hard about that one.

This is a nice article that will help you Determine if trucking is right for you..

Brett also wrote a book about his adventures in trucking. This will give you an inside look at whats its like out there!

So, you should be very busy now. Give us updates about yourself and ask questions often. If you don't ask you're hurting yourself.

Welcome aboard Kevin!

You've gotten some excellent answers already. Daniel pointed out some excellent resources. The two best resources we have for understanding what life on the road is all about and how to get started would be our Truck Driver's Career Guide and my book Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving (which Daniel already pointed to). Have a look through those and they'll answer a ton of questions for you.

I hate linking articles because it makes me feel lazy. But honestly, Brett wrote these articles about exact things you're wondering about and he answers it better than anyone of us can.

I think linking to various resources around the site is the perfect way to help people. This site has over 12,000 pages of information and discussions about getting your career started in trucking and the majority of the questions can't be answered thoroughly with a few sentences. So link to areas around the website as much as you like! As you know, I do it constantly.

Trucking isn't for everyone. The biggest thing I have noticed is that you have to let troubles roll of your back. Don't let the small stuff sweat you. If you do decide to drive then you will have to learn how to have patience and thick skin.

Hi Kevin,

Great deal of information here to help you make a decision. Daniel B. has given you all the links.

So, here are my questions?

1. Are you going to go to those links and read the information? 2. Is this about traveling and seeing the world? 3. What do you expect this to be like? ( Serious question) 4. Can you afford school yourself? 5. Have you checked into a Technical college or community college? ( Many offer CDL programs ) with Financial aid. WIA for one.

This is a big step. Daniel B. can tell you. He will be a excellent source for you. I would begin to study now and try to get my permit before I start school anywhere. I have seen over the years that those who wish to get into trucking kind of go all balls to the wall without thinking it through. Having your permit ahead of time with whatever endorsement will help ease your transition into trucking school. You can get the permit at your own pace without the stress of having to do it in x amount of days. Go to your local DMV get the manual and start studying. Use "TruckingTruth" and all the information provide...test..videos..etc.. You will need to take the General Knowledge, Air Brakes and Combinations to get your permit. You can do Tankers and Doubles and Triples too, just to have the endorsements ahead of time.

Make a plan now. Write it out on paper. Keep searching for information.

Then GO FOR IT! We will be here to help you out.

Good Luck. Let us know if we can help further.

Thanks for all of your replies.

To PJ, thanks for your service in the Navy that must have been quite an experience. I actually haven't heard from anyone to stay away from trucking, hence me being on this forum. I also wish you the best in making a different career choice.

To Daniel B., I think its great hearing from someone in a similar situation as me. Thanks for the articles you liked. I read all of them and I'll be looking around the site so more. In regards to "Time alone" article I like to think I could handle it. I have had some small exposure with driving long hours and miles in silence. One of my previous jobs required me to travel out of town every other week, and being I was the supervisor I drove most of the time while my co-worker(s) slept, listen to music or watched movies. I know it's not the same but it's something. On the plus side since is is 2013 there are a lot of gadgets out there that I have already thought of how to utilize while on the road to make it more enjoyable. I will also be reading his book online today.

To Tracy K. 1. Yes, I have already read the articles that Daniel provided. I will also be looking around the site for more to read as I'm still very interested. 2. It's not really about traveling and see the road because I'm pretty sure I see the same thing I saw with my previous job, endless miles of highway. But I do like to drive and go to different places and you can see some cool/weird/interesting things while on the road. 3. I don't really know what to expect, I haven't been around long enough to have enough experiences to kind of judge how something might or might not go. 4. I could probably afford school by taking a loan, I'd have to see how the process is. 5. I have not checked a technical school yet, but I have checked my community college and they don't have anything for CDL's.

Well I also plan on doing much more reading because the last thing I want to do is spend, or go into debt, thousands of dollars for a special license and start hating the job after a few months. So I definitely want to get as much info as possible.

-Kevin