Woman Wanting To Start Trucking Carrer.. But Lil Nervous Doing It

Hi all, I want to start a new career in trucking! I know trucking has a lot more men than women. I wanted to hear some of the women trucker's advice on this.. I'm really wanting to do this but kinda scared and nervous. Please share! Thanks in advance!

Fear not!! There are plenty of ladies out here on the road. There are companies that run their own CDL school and after you pass and get your CDL-A, they'll hire you and put you through company training to learn the ropes of actually doing the job.

I posted some links for you on the general forum to help you get started.

Thank you Susan M. for your input on both of my entries! I want to do this! I am excited but nervous all at the same time.. So much I don't know! And want to know!

Thanks again!!

Heres an article i wrote about sexism, women and trucking

sexism in trucking

and another about Prime and how i am like family...even with 7500 drivers

Im not just a number

i had no idea how woman oriented my company was before i got here. im spoiled with amenities at the terminals and they truck. i doubt i could go anywhere else.

what do u want in a company?

Hi ladies,

I'm looking to start a trucking career also. I'm 60 and a little nervous too. I've been researching different companies, but it's so hard to choose. There is so much information. I want to get a job with a company that pays for your CDL. I have my class B now. I'm a school bus driver, but really don't like dealing with kids. I want a women friendly company, pet friendly, not have to work for that company for more than a year (what if I don't like it), and one that I don't have to be away from home for very long.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks Sue

I am a "change of life" female trucker and I've never regretted my decision! I was 44 y/o and had worked in the medical field my entire adult life. When I decided I really wanted to make the leap of faith into trucking I did my research on training and getting my CDL. I opted NOT to go through a company paid CDL school because I didn't want to be locked into a company for X amount of time until my training was repaid. I was warned about CDL Mills by many established drivers in various forums. I finally found a state run school here in Oklahoma which turned out to be about 75% cheaper and had a highly rated scorecard. I was petrified going to the first day knowing I was going to be not only the only woman but probably the oldest student! Much to my surprise there were 2 other women and most of the class averaged my age. They said usually the independent student classes were of similar make up vs the "company" classes. Central Tech was outstanding! At the end of the month recruiters from about 10 different companies came in and spoke and answered any and every question we asked. They really made it easy to make an informed decision as to who to start my new career with. I've been with several companies since I got my CDL 12 years ago until I found my niche (flatbed, oversize, heavy haul, oilfield). Once you get started and get comfortable driving it gives you the courage to explore more areas of this business. Good luck and have fun! 😀

I opted NOT to go through a company paid CDL school because I didn't want to be locked into a company for X amount of time until my training was repaid. I was warned about CDL Mills by many established drivers in various forums.

Hello Sharon, and welcome to our forum! It's really cool to have a lady flat bedded in here. Just recently we had someone inquiring about if there were any ladies doing flatbed, and we assured them there were indeed some ladies out here in the flatbed world.

Just so ya know, we don't necessarily hold to that idea that Paid CDL Training Programs are considered CDL mills, and therefore to be avoided. They are actually a great way to get started in the industry, and many of our members go that route. Misunderstandings abound concerning these programs and truck driver myths take on lives of their own sometimes.

If you care to open your mind up a bit, here's a good article explaining our thoughts as to why these schools may be one of the best ways to get this career started.

Why I Prefer Paid CDL Training

I disagree with the "mills" comment as well.

Any new driver should stay a year anyway. So whats the big deal about a contract. If you leave early, you can pay the contract and be done....but why pay for school if you do not ha e to. Plus, my school was one on one out on the road with real world backing and experience, not a backing pad.

i paid NOTHING towards school, and have been here for 3 years. i have considered going to another compsny simply for home time and family reasons, but it hasnt happened yet. i planned to stay one year, but...well...my company is awesome.

in my opinion, the "dont want to be locking into a contract" is self defeating. Not only does it imply you wont be happy at the company, but it also sets you up to have hiring issues later.

Heres an example.. one of our forum members was going to go to a local CDL school. She decided to go to paid company training instead. However she omitted to tell us she failed a drug test recently. Good thing she didnt pay for that school! Sometimes it takes somlong to find a company due to personal issues (DMV record, medical, background issuee) that drivers assume wont be a problem...and the schools just want your money so they dont care.

She went to Prime...sent home due to the past drug test. It took a couple weeks to find PAM that would take her. She just got her license this week and...BAM, now she is in Roehl.

She has to go through their training now. This all happened since March.

Guess what is going to happen if she hates Roehl? She wont find a job for quite some time unless she goes to a very low paying one. Three orientations in three months is going to look very bad....add in the failed drug test and she painted herself into a corner.

Research a bit...look arou d the blogs here. and ask any questions.

have a great day

I wish I just had the cajones to just do it...but bills speak loudly. Good luck Steph and Sharon!

Sorry, I meant Steph and Susan.