What Direction Should I Take To Start Out Making $1000+ A Week Fresh Out Of CDL Training?

Topic 34539 | Page 1

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Matt T.'s Comment
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I am considering OTR truck driving again (been considering this pretty much every year since 2016) because my contracting business is slowing down again. I have been making about 40K in net income with my business since 2015 when I started and can't afford any pay cuts. I also don't want to slave myself working 12 hours a day for anything less than 4 digit weekly pay. I also want to work second shift as I absolutely cannot stand waking up at the crack of dawn and think that it would be easier to just go to sleep right after my shift is over and would rather have my leisure time before I start my shift.

I have a clean driving record with no criminal history. Is it reasonable to make $1000+ a week starting out? CDL school will probably be around $5000 and I already have backtaxes from my business being unsustainable. I would honestly just rather kill myself if I have to work for $600 a week starting out, no way!

I am going to make a decision within a couple weeks for my New Year's resolution. I can't make any more career mistakes at this point in my life (I'm 28 and basically have no career, no girlfriend, and really am at my whits end here).

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.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated
Brett Aquila's Comment
member avatar

Welcome, Matt!

I have a clean driving record with no criminal history. Is it reasonable to make $1000+ a week starting out?

Absolutely! If you hustle and give it your all, you should make at least $50,000 - $60,000 your first year in trucking, and that may even be a bit conservative. Some do better than that.

I would recommend Paid CDL Training Programs instead of private schooling. Check out that link and also:

Apply For Paid CDL Training

I can't make any more career mistakes at this point in my life

Yes you can, you're still a kid! I'm 53 and I'm always trying to start a new business or career. I'm constantly learning new things and trying to find better opportunities. Don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself. I'm a quarter century older than you and I have another quarter century of good years left in me.

I think trucking might be just the right thing for you at this stage. It's certainly worth a shot, and you can always walk away anytime.

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.

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.
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