Where Do I Start?

Hi everyone! I am seriously considering a career change to become a truck driver. The open road appeals to me. But honestly, I'm totally clueless about how to even get started.

I'd be incredibly grateful if some of you experienced truckers could share your insights and advice. Like, first off, I'm confused about the different types of licenses. Are there different ones for different trucks and cargo? What about getting a CDL? Is it hard? Any recommendations for truck driving schools that won't rip me off?

Once I have my license, how do I find a decent job? What are the different types of trucking jobs out there? How can I tell if a company is any good? And what should I be looking for in a contract so I don't get screwed over?

I'm also curious about the whole lifestyle. What are the toughest parts of the job? How do you guys stay healthy and sane on the road? And are there any perks that people might not think about? Finally, I want to be realistic. Are there any downsides to the profession that I should be aware of before jumping in?

I know you guys have a ton of knowledge and experience, and any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for helping a newbie out!

Start with these... LOTS of good info:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

What state are you in? How old are you? Are you married or single? Are you working now? Any tickets in your personal vehicle?

Answer the above questions, so the guys have an idea what to recommend.

We do recommend that prospective drivers go thru company paid training...especially in this economy. Once you complete training, you will have a job. A lot of guys will whine that they don't want to commit to a company, even for a year. Some companies are a little bit less and some are a little bit more. The thing is though, most of the mega companies are self-insured, so if you have a little incident/accident, you are not giving your walking papers like you would be at other companies that want 3 months or more experience. Plus, it takes a good year or more to get used to driving in different weather, backing and other things that go with this business. A year goes by fast. On top of that, if you like a company you can stay with them. Yes there will be other companies that pay more, but every time you change a job, you are starting at the bottom and you could be making more money at your original company. I knew a guy that stayed with Swift for 13 years. He did rail yard intermodal and when that moved out of his area, he then changed jobs to stay with intermodal. He was making pretty decent money.

Get started reading and you will find a lot of your questions answered. However, if it's not, come back here and ask.