Retiring Teacher - Is A Trucking Career For Me?
Topic 22867 | Page 1
We highly recommend you look at Paid CDL Training Programs as the best way to start in trucking. The two main reasons are, little to no out of pocket money and the company has a vested interest in your success.
At 50, I was trained by and drive for CFI. I love CFI. In just over one year I have been to most of the lower 48.
Here is our starter pack. Read through all of this to start.
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
Brett's book will help you to understand what this lifestyle is about. The High Road Training is the best free study guide for your written permit and endorsement tests. Good luck. We are here to help.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Welcome to the forum! To quote John Candy in the movie Uncle Buck; “you ask a lot of questions”. So yes, trucking might be a good fit for a retired teacher. One of the Trucking Truth moderators, Errol is a retired teacher. Head over to the Diary section and do a quick search of his name and you’ll find a comprehensive chronology of his journey and experience during school and road training.
I suggest reviewing the following links before going too much further...
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
Once you have read the first two links and become familiar with the basics of the High Road CDL Training Program, I suggest perusing the TT Blog for articles that can further enrich the knowledge gained reading Brett’s Book and the Career Start link.
Good luck!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Yeah, it's me, the Resident Retired Teacher. I left the classroom about 4 years ago, and I'd like to say I never looked back. But ... No, I can't see myself working with 25 - 30 middle school students again. On the other hand, I keep doing math lessons in my head while I'm driving from Peoria to Tuscaloosa!
If you've had it with the pressures of the classroom, then the peace and quiet of your sleeper cab/office, as well as the responsibility of delivering goods across the USA should be appealing.
There is the big (not steep) learning curve of the trucking lifestyle, but you can see many people have made the transition. On that point, check out another topic I started a while ago: What Did You Do Before Becoming A Truck Driver?
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Well, since you have 33 years experience in dealing with whiny, sniveling, immature kids; that automatically gives you a leg up when you pull into a truck stop and step into a drivers lounge. ;)
Is it worth it?
I'd say yes, if you're strong enough.
Good luck in your endeavors Sir, whatever you choose. :)
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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I am a 55 year old male who will be retiring next year from teaching elementary school after 33 years. I am divorced, have no dependent children, and I'm interested in trucking as a second career. I have about 10 years in me to continue working. I live about two hours from SLC, UT and I know there are CDL schools and many large trucking firms located there. Should I get my CDL from a place like CR England, who pays for your CDL, but requires a commitment of a couple of years working for them. There is a local community college nearby that will train me in 8 weeks for about $2500. What is my best option? Who are some good companies that I should consider? I have no experience. How will that limit me? Is trucking really for me? Should I work the western states, go nationwide, or local? Thanks for your help and advice?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: