Considering A Career In Driving, Why/why Not/feasible?

Hey everyone,

Before I start, I want to thank you for your help, as I've been reading on here for about a week.

So, a little background on me, I'm 36, single, and not involved with anyone. I've been at my same IT job for 12 1/2 years, and I'm pretty sure I've had enough. All the questions, responsibilities, and pressure on me, with no assistance.

Now, I know there will be pressures with driving too, but it'll be different.

I'm going to start with a couple questions, but I expect this will turn into a general stream of consciousness thread.

First, I've been diagnosed with Chronic makor depressive disorder, aka, clinical depression, and anxiety disorder. I've been on medication, effexor, for several years for this, along with Klonopin for the anxiety. I've been basically symptom free for years, until some recent work issues flared the anxiety, and prompted my career change thoughts.

From what I've read so far, both these medication/condition combinations disqualify me from driving. I'm wondering if anyone on here has either delt with this, or knows if there's a medical exemption available.

Second, and possibly a stranger question, I'm a big guy, 6'3" tall, and I'm wondering about the "average" size of a sleeper berth. I've read the average is a twin bed, but I'd lke to get some confirmation on this. For reference, my home bed is a twin Extra Long, but I have 2-3 extra inches on that.

So, thanks in advance,

Ted

Welcome aboard Ted!

The medications you're taking may not be approved for commercial driving. If not, you'll have to speak with your doctor about moving toward something that is. You will likely need a little time for the current stuff to get out of your system also, but that won't take too long. Maybe a month? But you're going to want to be on new medicine for a little while before committing to trucking anyhow just to make sure you're good to go.

All the questions, responsibilities, and pressure on me, with no assistance.....

That's pretty much the exact description of trucking.

some recent work issues flared the anxiety, and prompted my career change thoughts

Yeah, like you mentioned - trucking is stressful also. In fact, rarely will one single moment of inattention at an IT job kill an entire family. Harsh, but that's the reality you're dealing with out there on the road.

I've made my living both ways - I drove truck for 15 years and I've been sitting in front of a computer full time for about 6 years. I was always a very serious "computer hobbyist" you could say from the time I was a little kid but never did it full time until recent years. There really isn't much risk in giving trucking a shot because the schooling is relatively short and inexpensive. The physical risk of getting hurt is the only real risk when it comes to taking a shot at trucking. The big concern is getting back into IT if trucking doesn't pan out for you.

Drivers are always in high demand so it's easy to move from company to company or take some time away from the industry and return to the same job you had before. But in IT it's normally quite different. I think the biggest risk in giving trucking a shot is getting your IT career back on track if you decide to return.

I realize this is almost a two year old post yet I was curious what you ended up doing with your life. I obtained my CDL-A in 2015 and have not been able to find a company to hire me while on a prescription of Venlafaxine/Effexor.