Need Some Advice In Considering Becoming A Truck Driver.

Hello all!

I am really enjoying this site. It is packed full of useful information. I am looking for some advice pointed more toward my situation. I have an idea on what it would take, but perhaps not the order in which to do them. (I am still reading articles on your site)

My situation: I am 59 years old. I am retired military. I retired in 2006 and am presently working as an Assistant Manager at an auto hobby shop. This is an MWR facility owned by the government. I am located in Germany. I am thinking of venturing into this field as it has always fascinated me. Here are the things that I think may be a problem and some questions.

- My present stateside driver's license at face value is expired. However, the law for Illinois states in the case of military personnel stationed overseas, the license remains valid until 30 after returning to the USA. Will this be a problem in securing a CDL permit? Also, I do not want to live in Illinois, so I will need to set up a new residence (I am leaning toward TX - no state income tax).

- If I am reading the things on your site properly, one must have a CDL permit going into a truck driving school. I am assuming that you would secure that permit where ever you are a resident. In that case, I will have to establish my residence before any of that can take place, or?

- If any of you had to do it over again, where would a good place be to have your residence in relation to your home time off? Or is this a question that does not have a real answer because of too many variables?

- I am presently making about $11.12 per hour/40 hours per week. If I am not mistaken, truck drivers are making a lot more than that. Will starting out pay (once you are turned loose as a solo driver) be comparable or better?

- Rider policies mean that you can take your wife (or significant other) with you on your road trips? And pet policy means the same with pets?

- I am a veteran and have GI Bill benefits. Do you know if the GI Bill will cover the cost of Truck Driving School? I have read on some trucking company sites about Vet benefits. I am not sure I understand what they mean by that.

- The DOT physical. Do I seek out a doctor who is authorized to perform DOT physicals and get one from him? Or do the companies who are hiring have their own and conduct their own physicals during orientation?

- If I am understanding this correctly, there are some companies that have their own driving school and they take totally untrained people and put them through their school and they come out with a CDL and a full-time job? I believe I already read on your site that some schools require a permit to enroll and some do not. It just depends on the state that it is located in. But do the companies that have their own school require this CDL permit upon enrollment in their school?

- This is probably a wild question, but I will ask anyway. Would there be a company out there that if they wanted to hire me and put me through school that they would move me from Germany back to the States? (please don't laugh at my question)

I realize that there are a lot of good companies out there. I have heard of drivers (probably regional) that just make a couple of runs a day (perhaps to a bordering state) and are at home every night. These type of jobs are not offered to entry-level drivers, or?

Well, I am sure I will come up with some more questions as this will be a big move for me. I takes some will power to give up a full-time job to go on a venture like this in the kind of economy we presently have. However, goods must still be delivered and it seems like this field would still have some demand for new hires to fulfill. But if you think I am crazy for considering such a move and change in lifestyle, please tell me that, too.

I hope I didn't ask too many questions.....

My thinking: some people retire and drive around the country in a Winnebago and spend what they have saved all these years. I am thinking that perhaps I can spend my retirement driving around the country in an 18-wheeler and make money doing it.

I can't answer all your questions but what I can tell you is that the High road program on this site uses the Illinois CDL manual. Not all schools require you have your permit coming in, HOWEVER it will help you greatly. There are a number of schools here in Indy. I am currently at Celadon and had mine coming in, you still have to sit in the class for five days. Here at Celadon you have to team drive for 240,000 miles (one year roughly) you slit 38 cents per miles (18 cents each per mile) so if you are making 11.12 an hour at 40 hours a week that's 444.80 a week if you are driving 5000 miles a week as a team that's 900 a week. Of course these are rough numbers, we were told a team can be closer to 7000 miles a week at 1260.00 a week. I won't name the company but another Indy area school starts you at 11 CPM driving team. Celadon puts you in a hotel with 1 roommate, gives you three hot meals a day and every friday you get a 50 dollar gift card to get food on the weekend. They will also pay for your permit, Indiana drivers license, passport card, and all endorsements. I'm sure most people will agree the best thing to do is talk to a few companies and start dialog. Do you your research and if you get back to the states go talk to some company drivers. I was learning towards one company then after talking to the drivers I changed my mind and I'm glad I did.

Hi Steven. Welcome to the website. I am also retired military, same year 2006, just a bit younger ;).

I know this to be true for active duty military. Is it also true for retired? Do you have a Military Deferral Certificate from the state of Illinois? I would advise contacting the Illinois driver license office to get the straight dope from them.

Regardless of what state you go to school in you will be required to have a CDL permit. Typically, you must have a valid class D license to get that permit (after you pass the tests of course). After you have completed training and passed the road test portion your class D license is converted to a class A license ( or B if that's what you tested for).

My situation: I am 59 years old. I am retired military. I retired in 2006 and am presently working as an Assistant Manager at an auto hobby shop. This is an MWR facility owned by the government. I am located in Germany. I am thinking of venturing into this field as it has always fascinated me. Here are the things that I think may be a problem and some questions.

- My present stateside driver's license at face value is expired. However, the law for Illinois states in the case of military personnel stationed overseas, the license remains valid until 30 after returning to the USA. Will this be a problem in securing a CDL permit? Also, I do not want to live in Illinois, so I will need to set up a new residence (I am leaning toward TX - no state income tax).

I can't answer all your questions but what I can tell you is that the High road program on this site uses the Illinois CDL manual. Not all schools require you have your permit coming in, HOWEVER it will help you greatly. There are a number of schools here in Indy. I am currently at Celadon and had mine coming in, you still have to sit in the class for five days. Here at Celadon you have to team drive for 240,000 miles (one year roughly) you slit 38 cents per miles (18 cents each per mile) so if you are making 11.12 an hour at 40 hours a week that's 444.80 a week if you are driving 5000 miles a week as a team that's 900 a week. Of course these are rough numbers, we were told a team can be closer to 7000 miles a week at 1260.00 a week. I won't name the company but another Indy area school starts you at 11 CPM driving team. Celadon puts you in a hotel with 1 roommate, gives you three hot meals a day and every friday you get a 50 dollar gift card to get food on the weekend. They will also pay for your permit, Indiana drivers license, passport card, and all endorsements. I'm sure most people will agree the best thing to do is talk to a few companies and start dialog. Do you your research and if you get back to the states go talk to some company drivers. I was learning towards one company then after talking to the drivers I changed my mind and I'm glad I did.

Thanks for that, Dale. I was wondering if I was going to make about the same or perhaps better. It seems to me that a team driving would get a lot more done than a solo driver as one would drive while the other was resting outside the driving window. Getting more done would mean more pay in my thinking, although it would be split. Celadon must be a company? I've been in Germany a long time and am not familiar with a lot of company names.

Hi Steven. Welcome to the website. I am also retired military, same year 2006, just a bit younger ;).

I know this to be true for active duty military. Is it also true for retired? Do you have a Military Deferral Certificate from the state of Illinois? I would advise contacting the Illinois driver license office to get the straight dope from them.

Regardless of what state you go to school in you will be required to have a CDL permit. Typically, you must have a valid class D license to get that permit (after you pass the tests of course). After you have completed training and passed the road test portion your class D license is converted to a class A license ( or B if that's what you tested for).

My situation: I am 59 years old. I am retired military. I retired in 2006 and am presently working as an Assistant Manager at an auto hobby shop. This is an MWR facility owned by the government. I am located in Germany. I am thinking of venturing into this field as it has always fascinated me. Here are the things that I think may be a problem and some questions.

- My present stateside driver's license at face value is expired. However, the law for Illinois states in the case of military personnel stationed overseas, the license remains valid until 30 after returning to the USA. Will this be a problem in securing a CDL permit? Also, I do not want to live in Illinois, so I will need to set up a new residence (I am leaning toward TX - no state income tax).

Thank you, Chief!

I am not sure about the deferral certificate. I may have had one while I was active. I remember getting the notice in the mail and sending the form back to renew my DL. Although I am not sure, I would think that my license would still be good since I have not yet returned from overseas. But I will take your advice and check with them to see for sure.

So the course of action is to study for your D rating and pass those tests. Then with the D rating, I can obtain a CDL permit that will allow me to enroll in a school (or company schooling)? Can a person get a D rating without a road test? Were you able to use your GI Bill for schooling?

Yes Celadon is a company, they are based out of Indianapolis, IN they are growing fast and in the process of adding tankers and flatbeds to their fleet. You don't really make more as a team, its just that more and more companies including Celadon are requiring rookies to team. I was talking to a solo driver with 5 years experience that makes .44 CPM and you have alot more freedom then you would with a team. You mentioned that you wanted to move out of state, Indiana has a program called work one that will help pay for your schooling at Celadon. Your commitment to Celadon works out to 7200 dollars and work one will pay 4,000 of that. It knocks down your debt from 120,000 miles to 60,000 miles. This equates to six months verses a year. I have only had an Indiana DL for about a month and I was approved. It's worth looking into.

Hello all!

I am really enjoying this site. It is packed full of useful information. I am looking for some advice pointed more toward my situation. I have an idea on what it would take, but perhaps not the order in which to do them. (I am still reading articles on your site)

My situation: I am 59 years old. I am retired military. I retired in 2006 and am presently working as an Assistant Manager at an auto hobby shop. This is an MWR facility owned by the government. I am located in Germany. I am thinking of venturing into this field as it has always fascinated me. Here are the things that I think may be a problem and some questions.

- My present stateside driver's license at face value is expired. However, the law for Illinois states in the case of military personnel stationed overseas, the license remains valid until 30 after returning to the USA. Will this be a problem in securing a CDL permit? Also, I do not want to live in Illinois, so I will need to set up a new residence (I am leaning toward TX - no state income tax).

I really don't have a definite answer for you on this one and I don't want to mislead you so I'll let the others see if they can help you on this one.

- If I am reading the things on your site properly, one must have a CDL permit going into a truck driving school. I am assuming that you would secure that permit where ever you are a resident. In that case, I will have to establish my residence before any of that can take place, or?

Yes, you'll have to establish a residence. They require a mailing address and that is what this is mainly for. There's many truckers who are "homeless" meaning they don't have an actual place they pay rent for. But they still have to provide an address. Not all truck driving schools require a permit on hand before attending. In fact, most don't require it and they spend the first few days with you to get you that permit. However, we always encourage you to get your permit before attending simply because the schooling is brutal to say the least. It is extremely stressful and everyone's on edge. If you come in with your permit then there's a lot less stress involved. You'll be on cruise control for the first week and ahead of the class.

- If any of you had to do it over again, where would a good place be to have your residence in relation to your home time off? Or is this a question that does not have a real answer because of too many variables?

It really doesn't matter where you live. You'll still usually be home on time.

But some places are easier to get you home on time than others. For example, my company has 4 different training schools in the state of CA. A majority of the drivers are from CA. So its very hard to get home usually. My dispatcher always has to get creative to get me home. I never enter CA unless I'm going home.

Just about every week I'm driving through I80 in Nebraska. So if I could choose a location to live I would live somewhere in NE that way I would be able to stop by my house once in a while instead of every 6 weeks.

- I am presently making about $11.12 per hour/40 hours per week. If I am not mistaken, truck drivers are making a lot more than that. Will starting out pay (once you are turned loose as a solo driver) be comparable or better?

It will be better. I am on pace to make about 31k annually for my first year. I take my hometime as much as I can also. But you also need to know that a 40 hour week is a super slow week for us. We usually work 60-70 hours per week.

- Rider policies mean that you can take your wife (or significant other) with you on your road trips? And pet policy means the same with pets?

Exactly. At my company it costs 150$ for a passenger and 500$ for a pet. There is an age requirement for a passenger and there's usually a weight limit on your pet.

- I am a veteran and have GI Bill benefits. Do you know if the GI Bill will cover the cost of Truck Driving School? I have read on some trucking company sites about Vet benefits. I am not sure I understand what they mean by that.

I'm not a pro on this subject. I'll let someone more educated answer this. Again, I'm not confident about my answer and don't want to mislead you.

- The DOT physical. Do I seek out a doctor who is authorized to perform DOT physicals and get one from him? Or do the companies who are hiring have their own and conduct their own physicals during orientation?

If you attend a company sponsored school then you don't have to worry about it. They cover the DOT physical. They can either conduct a physical within their facility or they'll send you somewhere where you can get it done. Either way, its very simple and the company has it covered.

- If I am understanding this correctly, there are some companies that have their own driving school and they take totally untrained people and put them through their school and they come out with a CDL and a full-time job? I believe I already read on your site that some schools require a permit to enroll and some do not. It just depends on the state that it is located in. But do the companies that have their own school require this CDL permit upon enrollment in their school?

It really depends on the school/company. Some require it and some don't. Company sponsored schools usually don't require you to have a permit before attending. Most of their students are completely clueless about trucking from my experiences.

- This is probably a wild question, but I will ask anyway. Would there be a company out there that if they wanted to hire me and put me through school that they would move me from Germany back to the States? (please don't laugh at my question)

Highly doubt it. If you're an actual employee running loads then they'll usually have no problem flying you or buying a greyhound bus for you when they have to. But no offense, you'll be coming in as just another student who hasn't proven anything. The turnout ratio is pretty high so according to them you might not even make it so why invest that kind of money in you. No offense to you sir, but that's just how the company would see it.

I realize that there are a lot of good companies out there. I have heard of drivers (probably regional) that just make a couple of runs a day (perhaps to a bordering state) and are at home every night. These type of jobs are not offered to entry-level drivers, or?

These kinds of jobs are very difficult to get as a rookie. They generally want a year of OTR experience before they'll even take a look at you. The best thing you can do is go OTR for at least a year and then decide what you want to do after that. After a year of safe driving tons of new driving opportunities open up!

Well, I am sure I will come up with some more questions as this will be a big move for me. I takes some will power to give up a full-time job to go on a venture like this in the kind of economy we presently have. However, goods must still be delivered and it seems like this field would still have some demand for new hires to fulfill. But if you think I am crazy for considering such a move and change in lifestyle, please tell me that, too.

You're definitely not crazy. Trucking is usually a second career for the average driver! So you're just fitting in!

So the course of action is to study for your D rating and pass those tests. Then with the D rating, I can obtain a CDL permit that will allow me to enroll in a school (or company schooling)? Can a person get a D rating without a road test? Were you able to use your GI Bill for schooling?

A class D license is just a regular ole car driving license. Many states refer to it as a class D license. Some states, like Florida, call it a class E license.

In order to get the CDL permit you already have to have a regular license AND you have to pass the general knowledge, air brakes and combination vehicles written tests. This is the requirement for Florida and I imagine for many other states, if not all, as well. The CDL permit allows you to drive a combination vehicle (semi-truck) while in training as long as a person with a valid CDL (instructor) is in the truck with you.

I did use my GI Bill to pay for my CDL school. It is school dependent whether or not the GI Bill can be used so you would have to check with the school itself. Most do offer it.

Yes Celadon is a company, they are based out of Indianapolis, IN they are growing fast and in the process of adding tankers and flatbeds to their fleet.

Celadon is adding tankers and flatbeds?