Im New, Shy And Thinking About Driving.....

I have a very specific need to decide if trucking is for me.... Im hoping you all can help me!

I want to drive Regional or Local only And, I only want to drive 6-8 months out of the year. ( Dec thru June) Realistically, is this viable for me?

Thanks Wendy

Oh and I really am only interested in enclosed car haul..... Good idea?

Wendy, I hate to break it to you. But theres just no way that's going to happen.

Firstly, drivers usually begin their careers driving Reefers or Dry Vans. Then if they wish they move up the ladder to specialized hauling. Having said that, hauling cars requires experience. Its not something a rookie can do straight out of school.

Secondly, you'll need training from the company. They invest a lot of money into you when they train you and they want to make sure that its a good investment (that's why they have you sign contracts). The company will have to train you, but they'll never get their money back because you only want to work 8/12 months out of the year. Companies won't bite on this.

Thirdly, local and regional jobs usually require experience. Sure, you can land one of those jobs straight out of school but its very rare.

Also, its extremely difficult to tell your employer that you're only going to be working for 8 months out of the year. This won't sit well with them.

So local/regional as well as car hauling both require experience.

I hate to say it, but I truly believe that it would be impossible for you to find exactly what you're wanting without having any experience. I hate to be the first to give out the bad news.

You're best solution is to go OTR for a full year. Have a safe, accident-free year driving and then you can likely find that kind of job.

LOL... oh my, thats disheartening. Thanks Daniel for your welcomed information. I will re-evaluate my expectations. I wonder if a company would accept a 2 year committment in exchange for 8- month work time.

LOL... oh my, thats disheartening. Thanks Daniel for your welcomed information. I will re-evaluate my expectations. I wonder if a company would accept a 2 year committment in exchange for 8- month work time.

I highly doubt it. They usually don't bend their policies.

Wendy, trucking companies make money when their trucks are hauling freight....24/7...365...So they like to see them rolling everyday. Unless you go to work for a company that only operates during the months that you want to drive, you won't find a job.

oh my, thats disheartening

Wendy, don't let it be so . . . keep researching and keep coming to this site until you get a much more realistic awareness of the whole "trucking" experience . . . I'd be willing to bet you will change your expectations as your familiarity increases . . . just keep looking at the whole thing with enthusiasm and let your knowledge evolve . . . you'll either see something else that you want equally as much as your original concepts . . . or (worst case scenario) you won't. Both outcomes are good things . . . knowledge is power and to know more about something then you originally did is a growing experience . . . keep the faith . . .

Jopa