An Older Woman In Trucking?
Topic 9393 | Page 1
Welcome aboard, Jan. There are plenty of women truckers on the road already. In a way, it's still a Man's world out there, but many women are successful behind the wheel.
As for a transition, you will need to get the driving school in. You might find weekend classes, but most people take it head on for three weeks. I busted through as fast as I could (from quitting my old job to getting paid decently from my new company) and it took 2 1/2 months. Your mileage may vary.
Reading material to get yuo started:
Brett's Book about trucking from a driver's point of view
Truck Driver's Career Guide (like it says)
Trucking Companies the low down on who you might work for
High Road Training Program Stat this now because you need to get that CDL-A, and this study program will get you through the permit stage.
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.
I am a 50 year old divorced woman looking for a career change & have always wanted to drive a semi. Any thoughts on this? How or what is the best way to get started? I am currently employed full time and would like to make a smooth transition.
So......you don't feel that starting this type of career at my age is......insane of me??
I turned 64 years old recently. Doin' fine. This should apply to girls, also! I started trucking at the beginning of this year. I was a school teacher before. You can do it, too!
Im doing it at 48 y/o.......I dont see anything wrong with it at all.
Jan, some companies check your physical ability - like being able to get under a trailer (about 3 1/2 feet high). Also, that landing gear crank can be hard to work, depending on the weight of the trailer. And, of course, climbing those steps into the cab.
If you can pass the DOT physical, as well as the CDL permit tests, you're good to go for driver training. Some companies do the agility tests, some don't. Your recruiters <-(there's a plural there) will be able to tell you.
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I am a 50 year old divorced woman looking for a career change & have always wanted to drive a semi. Any thoughts on this? How or what is the best way to get started? I am currently employed full time and would like to make a smooth transition.
Hi Jan, I'm Melissa. I am 42, I just got my CDL yesterday. You can do it!!!!
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.
Jan, I am 54 and got my CDL in October last year just a few days after my birthday. It wasn't easy as I am not a visual learner so the backing portion was difficult to say the least. However, if you set your mind to it you can do anything is my motto! I say go for it!
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.
I'm 56 and got my CDL in November, started driving solo five months ago. Totally do-able.
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.
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I am a 50 year old divorced woman looking for a career change & have always wanted to drive a semi. Any thoughts on this? How or what is the best way to get started? I am currently employed full time and would like to make a smooth transition.