Aspiring Truck Driver.

I've been wanting to get into truck driving for several years now, and I am seriously of thinking of training for my CDL at this point. My family is against this and say its a "man's" job and it's a dead end career. For a long time this stopped me from even considering trying, but I am now living on my own almost 100 miles away from my family, so they really have no effect on my decisions at this point.

I am 22 years old, and I have no truck driving experience whatsoever. I've been driving since sixteen though, and I have a lot of experience behind the wheel. For the past few years I would drive from Arizona to Wyoming and all over the west just for the excitement of traveling. I'd spend 20+ Hours behind the wheel at times, and I loved every bit of it.

The only thing that is now preventing me is that I've kind of "settled down". I'm engaged, and I don't want my fiance to think I am just abandoning him. I know this would probably be a career that I would love though. I love being on the road, and I'm somewhat of a loner.

Anyways, my question is... How does your trucking career effect you relationship and family life? I'm also just curious about the career itself and learning more about it.

Also, what is the best way to get into the trucking career? I know the local community college by me offers CDL training, but I also saw companies like PRIME recruits and trains.

Hey, Anna!

I really can't speak to life on the road, since I'm just coming up on my CDL test in two days. I just thought that I would share a few words of my small experience. First off, I highly recommend going to a tech school to learn to drive. I just finished up at a "CDL Mill" and while all six of our instructors were absolutely fantastic, the course was only 3 weeks long and there is just no way to get enough experience before you go for that 2 hour CDL test. Even one more week would have been a huge help. As for going with Trucking Companies to get your CDL, do your research. The good companies will train you well, with lots of experience, but you will have to get your CDL in your home state and the company's training facility might be out-of-state. The bad companies will hold onto your certification until they feel they've gotten their money's worth. This makes you pretty much an indentured servant to them for up to 18 months. Nearly all companies that hire new drivers have tuition reimbursement, so if you feel Tech School is too much of a bite, you'll get your money back over time. Usually $100-150 a month up to $7500. Once you have your CDL, there are excellent companies that will have up to 8 weeks of training to polish those rough skills.

As for having a fiance and wanting to go otr , that is really based on you and your fiance's individual personalities. Just remember that you really don't have to ever let go of the driving bug. I had the same dream at your age, and didn't pursue it for the usual reasons, relationships, family, eventually kids. However, my kids are almost grown, my husband needs to slow down how hard he's been working, and after years of being a stay-at-home mom, I needed a current job skill. So I've picked up my old dream, blew the dust off it, and as I said, will be taking my state CDL test in 2 days. I have the support and even a little envy from my kids and husband, and a smile on my face a mile long.

Good luck, and remember dreams never die.