For starters I would document in chronological order your various jobs. Given your age I would start with high school student. For each job include as much documentation as you can even if it was under the table. Having it all spelled out nice and neat will make it easier for you to explain it.
I would also go ahead and start studying for your permit and take the test when you are ready, also get as many endorsements as you can. Already having a permit will help show that you are serious. You can start studying right now on this web site using the High Road CDL Training materials.
Keep applying and don't have any one company in mind, talk to everyone who shows an interest. If you haven't already use the application process on this website. Be professional to everyone you speak with and follow up with everything they ask you to provide.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Thanks for all your input, Greg. I'll definitely do what I can as you suggested. There's two schools near me that offer cdl training so I figured maybe worst case I can try to pay my own way through school and come to companies with that in hand.
I heard back from a couple companies over night, CRST, C.r. england, and knight. I'm exploring all paths I can, knight asked me to sign a conditional letter of employment which as far as I can figure is just a way to keep me interested in them until they decide to toss me in a truck or toss me on the sidewalk? Either way I'm excited just to be looked at.
Thanks for your encouragement and information, hoping things work out with knight, it would be amazing to be in a flatbed division learning the trade in a a month or two.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
knight asked me to sign a conditional letter of employment which as far as I can figure is just a way to keep me interested in them until they decide to toss me in a truck or toss me on the sidewalk?
They are trying to get a commitment from you. These trucking companies get a lot of folks just kicking tires. They get weary of wasting time with people who start and leave before the month is over with. Trucking requires commitment. There's so many things a new driver learns during their first year. Truck driver training barely scratches the slightest surface of the information needed to be successful at this.
If Knight gives you a chance I'd jump all over it. I'm a flatbed driver with Knight. September will make my sixth year with them. I have no plans or desires to move anywhere. I continue to have a really great experience here.
I gladly signed the form, glad to hear there's people who genuinely enjoy the company. Hoping to hear something from them soon.
Thanks for your info, everything is appreciated.
Stressful not knowing if companies are taking a serious look at me, but an exciting opportunity.
Operating While Intoxicated
Keep plugging away sounds like you are getting some interest which is always good.
I went through company trainning with Millis Transfer and we had a young man who actually turned 21 the first week of class. He did fine so I wouldn’t worry too much about your age.
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Hello everyone, I've browsed the forum for about a year tossing the idea of trucking back and forth. I wanted to get into trucking when I turned 18 (I'm 21 now) but was told I had to be atleast 21 and wouldn't be taken seriously unless I was 23, but after being terminated from my (pretty bad) job in March of this year, I wanted to jump two feet into trucking and make it my career for the next decade atleast. I've been having trouble getting in with companies because of work history, from age 17 to 20 I worked under the table for an electrician trying to learn the trade, he retired and I went to work for retail and hated every minute of it, got incredibly depressed. After I left I went to work as an independent contractor because I decided I didn't want to have 5 bosses breathing down my neck and being in a small room every day ever again.
I got a call from maverick and was incredibly excited to hear from them hoping they'd tell me I'm on, but sadly the recruiter (who was a genuinely nice guy) told me I wouldn't be considered because of my lack of work history because I only have 12 months of legitimate work experience in the last 3 years. I understand that it's federal requirements they are dealing with but I don't think I can go back to working another bad job like before. I've sent applications to a few companies like roehl, which was my first choice but I couldn't even get through the automated application process because I've only had my license for a year. I'm still applying for company training programs, even places like c.r. england.
I guess what I'm trying to get to is there any company I can get into to pay my dues in the industry, or a way to make myself more appealing to companies (related work, etc)
I understand that most every topic has been covered in the forum but I figured I'd start this to see if there was information anyone could provide to my situation. Thanks guys.