Retired Trucker Looking For Advice

I was unemployed a few years, as well before ever getting into trucking in 2019. I had 1 of my old bosses I've known over 20 years write a letter on his company letterhead. And my best buddy I've known since 2nd grade=50 years,wrote 1 too..... I didn't notarize em, but their contact info was provided on their letters, the company was all good with that.

I've been following this conversation from the start, but haven't had the time to respond until now. I'll begin by saying that I can relate to some of the points made in this post.

Some background:

I first earned and utilized my CDL back in the early 90s with CRST and drove for them for about a year. Life threw a wrench in my plans, and I ended up transitioning into the IT field for the next 25 years.

The motivation:

I always missed the driving life and occasionally considered getting "back in the saddle," so to speak. After much research, which consisted of years of lurking here on Trucking Truth, much time practicing my Google-Fu, and much contemplation, in 2018, I finally decided to leave the Information Technology field and return to driving.

More background:

During the years from 1994 until 2018, I went through a few significant changes that may have made my return to driving a bit tougher. Since I didn't plan to return to driving, I didn't keep up my medical authorization for many years. When the medical card requirement became mandatory, and I moved to Florida, I downgraded to a Class C license.

The Good News:

When I decided to drive again, I contacted the Florida DMV to inquire about my license. I was informed that all I needed to do was get a new/updated DOT Medical card, then present that card to the DMV with $85, and I could walk out with a brand new Florida Class A CDL burning a hole in my pocket, ready for a driving job.

The better news:

After much more research, I applied to one company: Knight Transportation. After a couple of phone calls and many questions asked of my Knight Recruiter, I was offered and accepted an opportunity to attend CDL training with Knight at their Squire Training Academy in Phoenix, AZ.

The news gets even better from there:

Per my conversations with my recruiter, it was agreed that considering the many years that had passed since I drove a large truck, I would plan to spend the entire three weeks at the school in Phoenix to complete their full CDL course. However, when I arrived in Phoenix and the lead instructor saw I was doing well on the pad (and found out that I already had a CDL in hand), he informed me I should be able to test out a week early.

At the beginning of my second week, unfortunately, the lead instructor fell ill with a health emergency. So, I mentioned what the lead instructor had told me to his second-in-command. Soon after, I found myself discussing the matter with him and the lady in charge of the school the very next morning. Long story short, I was tested out of training that same morning and was sent home to begin my road training right away.

In summary:

Many years after downgrading my CDL to a Class C, I was able to upgrade back to a Class A CDL with only a DOT Card and the required fee. I attended Knight's Squire Academy in Phoenix, expecting to be in training for three weeks, but was sent home with my training certificate after only six days of training. They abbreviated it to refresher training.

The rest is history. :) If you've read this far, I hope you've been able to spot at least a nugget or two of helpful information in my long winded rambling story, LOL.

Oh, and about the discussion earlier regarding referral letters, I took a few minutes to experiment with ChatGPT prompts to write up a quick template. I should say that since I'm not a lawyer and I've never had to go this route to cover my own job history, it's very likely that this might need some adjustments based on the requirements of the company you're applying to and the legalities in the related states.

[Advocate's Name]

[Advocate's Address]

[City, State, ZIP Code]

[Email Address]

[Phone Number]

[Date]

To Whom It May Concern,

I, [Advocate's Name], having known [Applicant's Name] for [duration] years, can and do attest to the fact that [he/she] has been retired since October of 2015. Also, I know that it is [his/her] intent to re-enter the workforce.

Furthermore, I have personal knowledge that since retiring, [Applicant's Name] has resided in the USA at the following address:

Applicant's Address: [Applicant's Address] City: [Applicant's City] State: [Applicant's State] ZIP Code: [Applicant's ZIP Code]

Signature: ______________________________ Date: ________________________

Notary Stamp and Notary Signature:

[Notary Stamp]

Notary Public: [Notary Signature] Date: ________________________

[Advocate's Name]

After three failed attempts to re-enter the industry I spent 25+ years in and retired from in 2015 I’ve decided to stop pushing on a door that is not opening. I know this isn’t about me. This is simply what it is. My goal in attempting to re-enter was to see the Nation on someone else’s dime. There are other ways to accomplish this. I want to say that this forum is a very valuable tool with some very kind and knowledgeable individuals. Thank you to all who have offered support, encouragement and advice. Safe travels, Dave

Dave, not knowing what happened with the three failed attempts, I’m not going to question your decision. But, since it’s not a driver friendly market right now, maybe it will take a little more perseverance? My sense is that the industry needs more guys like you out here.

Of course, there are alternatives. Old School touched on it recently when he mentioned the “nomadic” lifestyle. Did you see the movie “Nomadland”? The site to go to is cheapRVliving.com by Bob Wells. When I finish driving, my plan is to adapt my E350 cargo van and cargo trailer for the nomadic lifestyle. I see a lot of the country now, at least what I can see from an interstate highway. Which is saying I don’t see much worth seeing. Such a thing might be doable for you. A goodly number of people in our age group do it.

I might be wrong, but I still think a guy like you can get back into driving if you keep trying. Am I wrong?

Thanks for the kind words driver. I said in an earlier post that the hurdles were a test of my resolve. At 70 years old and a life of hard work I just don’t have enough to push me. You come across like many of the old hands I had the privilege to work with. Just a stand up driver. I appreciate you.

Dave, not knowing what happened with the three failed attempts, I’m not going to question your decision. But, since it’s not a driver friendly market right now, maybe it will take a little more perseverance? My sense is that the industry needs more guys like you out here.

Of course, there are alternatives. Old School touched on it recently when he mentioned the “nomadic” lifestyle. Did you see the movie “Nomadland”? The site to go to is cheapRVliving.com by Bob Wells. When I finish driving, my plan is to adapt my E350 cargo van and cargo trailer for the nomadic lifestyle. I see a lot of the country now, at least what I can see from an interstate highway. Which is saying I don’t see much worth seeing. Such a thing might be doable for you. A goodly number of people in our age group do it.

I might be wrong, but I still think a guy like you can get back into driving if you keep trying. Am I wrong?

In this hard economy, I wouldn't stop after three, seven, or a dozen "NOs".

I agree with PackRat. I literally had pages of companies that said no to me. If you want something, you go for it. Don't let a little resistance hold you back.

If nothing else Dave's experience should be a lesson to everyone to be very thoughtful before letting a CDL go. Most states have an option to self declare to a status that does not require a current DOT physical. Only down side is maybe a slightly higher license renewal fee.

You never know when necessity or desire may drive you to hit the road again.

When my father passed away at 91 his drivers license was still a class A cdl and he still had his Private Pilot License in his wallet. He literally took them both to the grave. I intend to do the same with my CDL.

You are correct. This is how it happened. Around my birthday in 2016, almost a year after I retired, I went into my DOL office to renew my license. I told the guy at the counter that I didn’t want to renew my CDL. At that point he handed me a Surrender form. I didn’t know any better so I signed it. He told me I could renew it within a year but after that I would be like a first time CDL applicant. I had had my CDL ever since I was “grandfathered” over so I just figured that’s the way it is. Flash forward 8 years and I find out that wasn’t right at all but the form had been signed and no way to unwind it.

Good advice though. I wish I had a more knowledgeable DOL employee at the desk that day. Things would very likely been different.

If nothing else Dave's experience should be a lesson to everyone to be very thoughtful before letting a CDL go. Most states have an option to self declare to a status that does not require a current DOT physical. Only down side is maybe a slightly higher license renewal fee.

You never know when necessity or desire may drive you to hit the road again.

When my father passed away at 91 his drivers license was still a class A cdl and he still had his Private Pilot License in his wallet. He literally took them both to the grave. I intend to do the same with my CDL.