30 Yr Sober And Disabled To Becoming Trucker
Topic 31624 | Page 1
Hello Robert. It’s obvious that you are a problem solver in your life. Very much admiration and respect for what you have accomplished.
Where are you located? This is important to know for proper advice to be given. From what you say, your best, perhaps only, choice is to get on with a company with a paid training program. Then you know if your distant past mistakes will be overlooked before you even start. Plus, they house you, pay you while training and provide one or two meals a day. Schneider might be a good place to start, but there are many others. Start calling recruiters and filling out applications. We have a resident research librarian on this site, Anne, and I’m sure she will be along shortly to provide links to the information that would be helpful to you. Good luck!
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Hello, Robert; welcome to Trucking Truth!
First of all, you've come to the right place to start; and congratulations on all you've overcome.
Here's some links for you to read, for starters:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
And here's the NEXT step: Apply For Paid CDL Training.
As Bruce stated above, your location (even just your state of residence) will be a huge help, for us to better assist you.
Best wishes on this new journey!
~ Anne ~
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.
Bruce, thank you for the encouragement. I'm in SW Missouri. I Spoke with one recruiter who said they would have to ask management if they could make exceptions for 30 to 40 year old DUIs. I replied to her that my DUIs are probably older than her manager. She laughed. I know some company's will work with me and some won't. I just believe you guys probably already know which companies I would have the best luck with. Robert N.
Hello Robert. It’s obvious that you are a problem solver in your life. Very much admiration and respect for what you have accomplished.
Where are you located? This is important to know for proper advice to be given. From what you say, your best, perhaps only, choice is to get on with a company with a paid training program. Then you know if your distant past mistakes will be overlooked before you even start. Plus, they house you, pay you while training and provide one or two meals a day. Schneider might be a good place to start, but there are many others. Start calling recruiters and filling out applications. We have a resident research librarian on this site, Anne, and I’m sure she will be along shortly to provide links to the information that would be helpful to you. Good luck!
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
Anne A, Thank you. SW Missouri is my home. I will start researching what you sent. One thing I learned in college was to not reinvent the wheel. There is usually someone that can point you in the right direction. You guys and gals really seem to be pretty knowledgeable and helpful. Much appreciated! Thanks, Robert N.
Hello, Robert; welcome to Trucking Truth!
First of all, you've come to the right place to start; and congratulations on all you've overcome.
Here's some links for you to read, for starters:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
And here's the NEXT step: Apply For Paid CDL Training.
As Bruce stated above, your location (even just your state of residence) will be a huge help, for us to better assist you.
Best wishes on this new journey!
~ Anne ~
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.
Anne A, Thank you. SW Missouri is my home. I will start researching what you sent. One thing I learned in college was to not reinvent the wheel. There is usually someone that can point you in the right direction. You guys and gals really seem to be pretty knowledgeable and helpful. Much appreciated! Thanks, Robert N.
Hello, Robert; welcome to Trucking Truth!
First of all, you've come to the right place to start; and congratulations on all you've overcome.
Here's some links for you to read, for starters:
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
And here's the NEXT step: Apply For Paid CDL Training.
As Bruce stated above, your location (even just your state of residence) will be a huge help, for us to better assist you.
Best wishes on this new journey!
~ Anne ~
Glad to help, Robert! If you could go back to your profile, and just put "SW MO" in the 'location' spot, all others that see your posts will automatically know, without reading your response to 'little ol' me!' Hahaha!
Aside from starting here: Apply For Paid CDL Training. (Posted above, too;)...
A few OTHER companies come to mind; Witte Bros. is in Troy: Witte Bros. Full Training & Career.
They are considered a 'mid sized' carrier, and hire mostly in a 5 state area. I'd highly recommend them, as well as filling out our online app!!
PRIDE Transport (in UT) and Raider Express (in TX) have training programs, as well. I've an affinity to Witte in MO, because I know of a few long timers there, however.
I've got a few other 'rough diamonds' if none of this works out; but seeing from your 1st post, I'm not thinking you'll have a problem, with MANY of the training companies!
Again, best to ya..good sir!
~ Anne ~
ps; My guy's been driving for well over 20 years; I'm no spring chicken here, either. His dispatcher is young enough to be our son, haha! I've been with him through training, OTR , FX/LH (doubles, teaming,) tanks (running WITH him,) and now he's a local yokel in a daycab, happily!
pps: The wisdom on this site is priceless. Hang around, we shall steer you right! Glad to have ya!!
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.
Doubles:
Refers to pulling two trailers at the same time, otherwise known as "pups" or "pup trailers" because they're only about 28 feet long. However there are some states that allow doubles that are each 48 feet in length.
Dispatcher:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.New Reply:
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Urgently and prayerfully needing direction. Been disabled for 3 years. Ready to re-enter workforce. 61 Years old, 30 yr sober, 6 DUIs 30 to 40 years back so yes to felonies obviously. Minister for 20 years. H.S. dropout went back to school now have B.S. in Business and became Business owner for 20 years. Help with the following please: 1. Where can I go to school? 2. Free CDL Training needed to get licensed. 3. Training company lenient given my very troubled past.
I really want to work and I through God have been able to overcome some crushing obstacles. Please, only answers that will get me where I want to go. If you wanna tell me it's impossible, don't waste your time. Alcoholism to 30 yrs sober, disabled to working and dropout to having a degree tells me anything is possible with God. May God bless you and keep you all safe. Thanks, Robert N.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated