Looking For Answers With High Promises

My experience with finding detail when it comes to finding the right train to drive trucking company has been met with a lot of gray areas. However, things like this demand exact answers for planning for the future. I'm not looking to get swindled by a recruiter, that's why I've come here to see the straightforward input of this forum. I'm 20 years old, studying for my CDL permit so I can get it when I move to Yakima, Washington. However, I noticed a lot of train to drive companies say they hire 21 year olds but I look up online for age requirements and some websites say those same companies hire 23-25 year olds. I tried pushing the subject with recruiters and I never get a straightforward answer. The companies I'm looking at are Swift, Jim Palmer Trucking, and Knight. Anyone have any experience or know of anyone who interacted with that company that could say whether or not they let 21 year olds into their own trucks once training is done? Or any general wisdom when it comes to age and train to drive companies.

Thank you

You'll have more answers if you post this same thread over in the "general discussions" section of the forum. Many more people read that area. With that being said, you can Apply For Paid CDL Training and the single application will be sent to several carriers. I dont know off the top of my head who hires 21 year olds but I know there are some out there. When do you turn 21? Just asking because your permit is only valid for 6 months. Most states allow you to renew it one time without needing to retake the written test. Don't worry too much about your interactions with the recruiters, their job is to prioritize those who they deem are serious candidates. If you want to be taken serious fill out an application and most people who have used the link I sent you have gotten calls within a half hour.

Please stick around the forum, you'll be much farther ahead. To help with the permit check out High Road CDL Training Program.

Welcome to the forum Danny.

My first suggestion is to use this link to determine age minimums for the carriers on your short list:

Trucking Company Reviews

Then take a look at this link to review your training options:

Paid CDL Training Programs

...and use this link to apply:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

It’s a good idea to cross check by reviewing a specific company’s website. They tend to be very current.

Finding useful and truthful information on the internet is a slippery slope at times...below are links for Trucking Truth’s Starter Kit. It contains knowledge based content designed to assist folks like your self. One of the biggest issues a newbie faces entering this industry is unrealistic expectations and unfounded negativity. Take a good look at these links and study the Highroad Training Program...it’s free and will enable a path for successfully passing the permit tests.

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

Oh...one more thing; no idea what you read on the internet, but no recruiter is out to swindle you.

Good luck!

My son applied using this website, and he is 21...working for WIL Trans.

Wil-trans and Jim Palmer are more or less the same company, you can work there at 21. As a current employee I speak very highly of them, they really do want you to succeed and will work hard with you as long as you are willing to do your due diligence as well.

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.

Welcome to the forum Danny, Our goal here is to help people get the best start they can in trucking. 21 is the age you can legally drive a CMV interstate. Don't be surprised if companies won't talk to you until you turn 21. In addition to the links you have been given already, I encourage you to read through many of these training diaries. It will give you great insite into what to expect in training. You may have problems with being in a company's hiring area when you move. Of course I have to plug CFI and their training. It is excellent and they treat us great. Good luck.