Possible to get a trucking job without 3 years work experience?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Joel Barzinpour, Oct 23, 2014.

  1. Joel Barzinpour

    Joel Barzinpour Bobtail Member

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    So I turned 21 and I am looking to join the transportation industry. Is it possible to obtain a job as a driver if you dont have 3 years of work experience? I would greatly appreciate all answers. Thanks guys!
     
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  3. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    You won't be able to land a driving job till you go thru training.There is many company sponsored training companies which means you sign a 1 yr contract and earn your CDL thru them.Once you get your cdl and complete the length of time the school is then you go out with a trainer for 6 to 8 weeks and also that's when you start getting paid.Once you get qualified and go solo you'll get paid more.While training you'll get paid a set salary then after that you'll get paid by the mile.One more thing some companies require 23 to be the starting age.
     
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  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Joel,
    Yes you can, just look for a company that has vans, pickups or something small (courier company comes to mind) and you will be in the transportation industry.
     
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  5. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Do you want trucking company CDL school or a private CDL school. Either way, get started!

    These companies hire at 21 and have their own school:

    Millis Transfer - school in Burleson, TX
    Mesilla Valley Transportation - school in El Paso, TX
    Raider Express - school in Ft. Worth, TX
    Southern Refrigerated Transport - school in Texarkana
    KLLM Transport - school in Mississippi

    There's others also. Most pay transportation to the school plus some pay for meals and lodging while there.

    As to your question, you're only 21 yrs. old, so your work history won't be a barrier to most companies.
     
    Last edited: Oct 23, 2014
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  6. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    The fed want a 10 history of employment and periods of unemployment. You probably will have to be able to document what you have been doing since you turned 18. School? Jail? Just hanging out doing nothing? All can be documented with a contact person and info. Call the companies Chinatown suggested. There are some community colleges in the metroplex that have cdl schools.
     
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  7. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Also, you can possibly start off working a dock job, and then move up to driving. As you can see, there really is no "simple answer" to this, much as there is no "simple answer" to life.

    It is a matter of getting out there and beating down doors, being able to sell yourself, and being lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. You might be a little young for some companies to consider you for driving, but others won't have that problem.

    The biggest question is what have you been doing since high school. If you have been in a college or technical school, or the military, that will certainly answer that question. If you have been living off mommy and daddy, spent your days sleeping and your nights toking, then you're going to have some problems.

    Good luck!
     
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  8. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Sheesh...
    My old pilot car took his CDL, passed, then went working for a local outfit pulling a dump trailer, on 6 axles.
    Pulls in over a grand a week, and is home every day, well kind of home with the hours he puts in.
    He was 23 when he started there IIRC.
    Contrary to the mega mentality, you do NOT have to be cheap labor to get into this industry.

    Martin
     
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  9. Joel Barzinpour

    Joel Barzinpour Bobtail Member

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    I appreciate all the answers, I wasnt sure if a company would look at me if those three years were not completely full. this info has helped me a lot. Hopefully I will post that I have gotten hired by a company soon!
     
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  10. RubberDuck198

    RubberDuck198 Light Load Member

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    10 year history only applies if you've been driving for 10 years. If you haven't, then you only need 3.
     
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  11. rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

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    There are companies that you can pay that will act as a reference for a job. Some truckers have told me they used a site that created a fake company to cover their butts for the last 3 years and provide reference. Even provided them with fake pay stubs and w2's. Up to you if you want to go that route and a simple Google search will bring up many different sites all offering the same service.
     
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