Canada-Only OTR, New Driver?

J&R Hall out of Ayr coast to coast.

 

Living out of a truck will become lame very quickly. Often you will not have a load for a few days. Where will you park the truck? The carrier may not allow you to take the truck out of the yard and may not allow you to "live" in the yard. You will still need a vehicle to get food, do laundry,etc. Very bad idea. How would you handle showers and bathrooms? Have you ever slept in a truck? What if your truck does not have a fridge or an inverter? Who is going to pay for the fuel to cool or heat your truck?

 

many OTR carriers still have an age limit for insurance even if canada only. also the only real hope for canada only with no exp is a team driving situation so be ready for that.

 

I was thinking of the OP this afternoon. He hasn't even been to school yet. So far it is just a dream. Do you really think that any company is going to give a 20 year old the keys to a $50,000 or more truck and a trailer that could easily have $50,000 and more of goods and send him across Canada? That is not going to happen whether you are pulling a box or a flatdeck! You will either have to go out with a mentor, enroll in an on the job training program or just run team. No Insurance company would provide coverage. Sorry but your age is the problem.

 

Your information is incorrect .... Before I explain why it is incorrect let me ask you... Does age make you more responsible? To an exact the majority is may true BUT I have seen many younger people that are more responsible then older adults (just saying)... Also the company is covered by insurance so it's just about finding the RIGHT company that will take on a younger person (many of them out there bud)... At what age should a company hand over the keys to $50,000 load, $100,000 load, $250,000 load?? The cost of freight doesn't factor into the drivers age.. Just look at this board we have members in their 30's hauling wide loads/heavy loads etc and then we have many in their 50's (even 60's I think).. Are you going to say the 30's year old shouldn't be hauling a wide load cause he is younger?? All I am saying is your post seems to be somewhat negative towards the poster because of his age and you automatically assume no company will give him a chance on his own..

Now here is the reason I know your information is incorrect... I used to work for Muskoka transport and I had a buddy who start in that company when he is I believe either 19.. Right out of high school to truck driver training to Muskoka transport.. He couldn't pull the US because of age so he was kept to the Ontario stuff... I know this is only 1 example but that doesn't change the fact that other companys like Muskoka transport would take on younger driver... Just depends on the insurance..

At the younger age a mentor could be nice.. It all depends on the person's maturity level as far as I am concerned... Like I said this world is filled with younger more mature people.. Maturity and how you present yourself can go along away if the company your going to allows for younger drivers.. Of course we all know insurance is who runs the companies in the hiring department but like Muskoka there are others..

Sorry OP that I couldn't supply a company in SW Ontario but if you don't find one give Muskoka a call.. The closer yard I know of is south of Barrie..

 

I'll throw in some stuff here - I learned the hard way in the Army - A ruck sack and a bench seat . When I got out, I 'lived' in a truck. Normal roof ( no condos or mid roofs then). I had one of the original KoolATrons, no microwave, minimal storage, it was just a truck ......... I DID make it a point to spend two weekends a month in a motel room just to do laundry and stretch my legs ..... you do what you gotta do ...

Todays truck ??? I FIRMLY believe you could live out of one of those !! Fridge, Microwave, bunks, storage, Satt radio, WiFi, etc etc .... and the all in one truck stops today ? How can you NOT survive living out of a truck ?

I started out in positions of responsibility before I was 20 years old. AND I believe I did a good job at it. Insurance companies set the standard today. That standard is 25.

Try these guys:

http://www.briartransport.ca/

They're redoing the website. BUT they will keep you in Canada, or they will let you run US. Contact George Brennan. 'Luck

 

Govt trucker: I still disagree. There may be some farm boys who have been around equipment since they were like 3 but for most 6 weeks at school does not make you a truck driver, The OP spoke about flat decking. I have only done dry van and reefer but would never consider doing decks without some additional training. It is more than just a science. It is an art. And yes the insurance companies do have age restrictions. There are some who require 1 year's experience. That is not up to the carrier it is the insurance company! I sure would not hire a green kid to take a load out of the the yard! That is why so many carriers have their own "finishing" programs Could there be some rogue outfit who might give him a road test and ask a bunch of questions? Maybe but that is sure not the norm. Did you learn enough in school to just hit the road on day one? Imagine what the lawyers would do if he had an accident and injured someone? Not a pretty picture. There is a lot more to truck driving than just sitting behind the wheel. Your post infers that anyone can just jump in the truck and go! Try posting this in the Canadian Truck Forum and the experienced drivers will rip you into pieces! I think the OP has a long way to go. I wish him the best but just wait until he graduates and starts looking for a job as an OTR driver. He will become depressed very quickly. He could maybe get a city delivery job or gravel but not OTR across Canada.