55 And Only One Career
Topic 30169 | Page 2
Congratulations sir!
Congratulations. I switched careers at age 50. I've just started. It's challenging but rewarding and doable.
Congratulations!
Here is a quick update on my transition into the trucking industry. I'm planning on exiting my 40-year career in the printing industry next month. There are two local trucking companies that I have set up interviews with this month. I'm anxious to get into a truck and begin building my skills in a new career. Will update more as it comes.
There are two local trucking companies that I have set up interviews with this month. I'm anxious to get into a truck and begin building my skills in a new career.
Brian, we don't usually recommend starting a trucking career with a local driving job. Was this your strategy from the start? Most local jobs want to see one year of OTR experience before they can hire you. One of the many problems with starting local is that it typically is not considered as experience to other companies when you go looking for a job. It is a common scenario for a rookie driver who starts locally then gets fired six months later for an accident, to be unable to find a job. None of the local companies will hire them due to the accident, and the OTR companies won't hire them because their CDL is considered "stale." It's been too long since they got the CDL and their experience at the local job counts for nothing.
Have you considered committing one year to an OTR trucking job? It will do wonders for your future in the industry.
Why You Should Not Start Your Trucking Career As A Local Driver
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.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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Becoming A Truck Driver CDL Qualifications Changing Careers Older truck drivers Pre-Employment Screening Program
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Well, I'm excited to say I successfully passed my CDL exam yesterday. I would have thought at my age I could not get so nervous. But the sweaty armpits and dry mouth showed otherwise. I got an 84 on my pre-trip. Zero points on the skills test. And on the road test, not sure of the points I had no incidents and the examiner said I did great. So now I'm working on getting my endorsements before I go to the BMV for my license. I have not fully engaged in looking for a job yet, to the point of filling out an application. I'm still in the process of selling my business. But I have started re-reading the articles about How to evaluate and choose a trucking company. Will update more later.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Bmv:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.