CDL Course Now Or Later?

Ok so my big question I'm asking myself is should I register now or later for truck driving school? Why do I ask? Ok, for 12 months now I've been pondering this career possibility as a truck driver. Also read Brett's book, "The Raw Truth About Truck Driving" and I'm convinced I'd enjoy the truck driving lifestyle. However, I have a 12 year old son that is making me think twice about being out on the road for days/weeks at a time. It's not the first 6 or 9 months of OTR training that concerns me---I can deal with that but then I'd want to find a local gig afterward, at least until my son is older like in high school. Also, I have the resources to take the truck driving class now so that's not an issue. In fact I wouldn't mind getting my class A now even if I sit on it for a while. Good problems to have I guess. Your thoughts?

You definitely don't want to get the class A and sit on it for a while. Companies want you to have completed your schooling within a short time of getting hired - usually anywhere from 30-90 days. Otherwise you'll have to take a refresher course or possibly do the schooling over again before they'll hire you on. So don't get the license until you're ready to actually do it.

You definitely don't want to get the class A and sit on it for a while. Companies want you to have completed your schooling within a short time of getting hired - usually anywhere from 30-90 days. Otherwise you'll have to take a refresher course or possibly do the schooling over again before they'll hire you on. So don't get the license until you're ready to actually do it.

Yeah, I guess I kinda saw that (heard that) coming. But now that I got the bug to drive for a living, I want and need something more solid than driving a school bus and limo---which I've been doing for the past year. Ultimately I'd like to drive the big rig cuz i don't want to regret not giving it a try.

Well I can assure you the trucking industry will be there for ya whenever you're ready. If you're not ready for it yet because other priorities are in your life, don't sweat it. You want to make sure the time is right.

Well I can assure you the trucking industry will be there for ya whenever you're ready. If you're not ready for it yet because other priorities are in your life, don't sweat it. You want to make sure the time is right.

Not sure when the right time will be but in the meantime I want to continue to drive professionally; however, my experience is school buses and limos. So I'm going to see what I can drive locally untill I take the plunge and go to truck driving school. Perhaps a box truck or garbage truck (heck it's better than going back to the office job).

I will do the Mom thing here and say...The time you miss while your children are growing up is time you will never get back, and time you will forever regret missing. Your son is at an age where the most important thing he needs is a male roll model.. And if you are fortunate enough to be able to be that roll model, don't pass up this most important job as a father. If it puts your truck driving adventure back a few years...look at it this way...When you son is 16-17, and has grown to love and respect his dad, What a great way to share some quality time by traveling the US highways for a summer in a big truck ?? I took my granddaughter on a couple of summer adventures in our truck. It was memory making at its finest. Now I'd also taken her with me when she was 4...It was........interesting......But when she turned 17, and we headed out for a full summer it was magical. We formed a bound that will never change with time of changes in our lives. So even if it puts your dreams on hold, think about what dreams you can share later on.

I will do the Mom thing here and say...The time you miss while your children are growing up is time you will never get back, and time you will forever regret missing. Your son is at an age where the most important thing he needs is a male roll model.. And if you are fortunate enough to be able to be that roll model, don't pass up this most important job as a father. If it puts your truck driving adventure back a few years...look at it this way...When you son is 16-17, and has grown to love and respect his dad, What a great way to share some quality time by traveling the US highways for a summer in a big truck ?? I took my granddaughter on a couple of summer adventures in our truck. It was memory making at its finest. Now I'd also taken her with me when she was 4...It was........interesting......But when she turned 17, and we headed out for a full summer it was magical. We formed a bound that will never change with time of changes in our lives. So even if it puts your dreams on hold, think about what dreams you can share later on.

Thanks Starcar, It's good to hear what "Mom" would say in this case, and she'd be right! I guess I just needed to hear it. Fact is I'm divorced and my son and his grandmother lives with me. My son's mother chose to live 3 hours away. All the more reason why I need to stay with him. So yeah, I guess my big truck driving dreams will have to wait, at least for a while. In the meantime I'm gonna keep driving the bus and limo's till the time is right.