Really Want To Do This But I'm Scared

Well got back from my road trip vacation. Thought alot about what to do. My head says do it my heart says wait and my pocketbook says now is the time. ive made many many crazy fast decisions in my life some worked out some didnt but never regretted!1Im older and really want to do this but im scared. This is all or nothing. Anybody start from scratch late in life and what pushed you over the line and went for it?

Many of us on this forum have started driving as a 2d or even a 3d career and started in our fifties and sixties. I did drive from 88 to 93 and then followed my husband when he worked on cattle ranches. After he became traumatic brain injured I took care of him for 18 years.

I did not keep up my chauffeur's license, which had changed to the CDL , so had to go back to school. The independent school I went to was not helpful in getting me a job and really for the next 1.5 yrs I struggled trying to learn the rules from two small companies. The company was owned by a former driver and his driver wife. He really did not know the rules of the road all that well, so I really didn't learn from him. The next company got shut down by DOT and all I learned there was to run illegal. Never again! It is my firm belief that going through a company school would be far better.

Only you know your situation, and I only vaguely remember you posting about some issues earlier, but if you are free to give driving your all and not be hindered by home life, I say go for it.

Laura

Well got back from my road trip vacation. Thought alot about what to do. My head says do it my heart says wait and my pocketbook says now is the time. ive made many many crazy fast decisions in my life some worked out some didnt but never regretted!1Im older and really want to do this but im scared. This is all or nothing. Anybody start from scratch late in life and what pushed you over the line and went for it?

Hiya Tammy, just remember, in trucking age is irrelevant. I'm not sure what you mean by starting from scratch but technically we have ALL started from scratch since none of us had ever driven a semi before nor held a CDL. It can be a scary thing to do something like this however, if it helps, I started at 52 having never even been near a truck and never having thought about driving one. It has been the best job I've ever had and I wish I'd found out about driving sooner in life. Most people either have always wanted to be a trucker or lack of currency/life situations push them into it. Take the leap, it just may be the best landing you've ever made in life.

Tammy if you're nervous, join the club. Sure people get cold feet, and some find out later that trucking isn't for them. That's true.

You'll have friends here and do feel free to write out your fears. This web site is called Trucking Truth for a reason - you'll get the "straight dope"®. We'll help get things straightened out.

Don't be scared! Apprehensive, nervous, tentative are okay. Nobody was ever born "A Truck Driver". Everyone started out as a brand new, green-as-the-grass, potential trainee. Every single one!

This is a great occupation, especially for anybody that doesn't have anything of life tying them down. Everyone drives for a different reason: money, independence, travel, running away, homelessness, etc. Most days are physically easy, yet mentally challenging, although it usually becomes easier with each passing day, especially during the first year. It will be overwhelming but it will not be impossible. Tasks that seem unreal on Monday will be a common occurrence by Saturday. I see people daily that I'm surprised they can figure out how to tie a shoelace, yet they are a truck driver. You can do it, too!

The best time to start is today.

The only way is jump in with both feet; 100% committed!