Hi, I'm new to the forums here and looking to hopefully start driving soon but I have a few questions that need answered before I can.

To start out I'm 18 years old and have loved trucks since i was around 7. Thats when my mom met my step dad who has been driving for about 20 years now. I've been lookin to be a driving since I was probably 12 years old and now that I'm old enough to get that CDL I was wondering how to get started out. Being 18 years old I'm not allowed to drive trucks out of state but most companys want you otr to start and at least a year of that before you can get any local jobs. So my question here is how would I get started in the truckin industry without waiting until im 21 because I really dont want to wait another 3 years before I get into my dream career. I thought of maybe starting driving something smaller like vans or triaxle.

Now for getting that CDL. Would it be better to go to a driving school or to go to a company that trains you?

And for my last question for now. I've been thinkin of would I rather stay a co driver or become an O/O later in my career. What are the pros/cons to co driving and O/O driving?

Thanks in advance for any help you give me and I hope to see you all out on the road someday.

Welcome to the forums.
You came to the right place, IMO.

YuP!
Your age is going to be something you'll have to overcome.
Not impossible though.
More on that later, .......

Driving smaller vehicles would be a good idea --- to start with.
At least it gets you some seat time and a chance to prove your worth. Keep that drivin' record CLEAN.
Graduate up to heavier trucks, --- dumps, or small fuel trucks, propane maybe.

As you're learnin' --- keep your eyes and ears open for a better fitting gig, --- and use your work ethics and abilities to land it. Ideally, it might be a truckin' company running smaller trucks as well as larger trucks to Big trucks, and you can work your way up.

Depends.
Mostly on you.

The opinions go from one side of the scale to the other.

Good idea. There are many threads here, already outlining that question.
Grab a snack, and do some research.
I think you'll enjoy the reading.


You're welcome.
I'm sure you'll have more advice from others to read here in this thread.

Hiya Chris,

I was company trained because I really didn't have the money for private training. I had some negative experiences with the company and eventually left but they did provide excellent training. I have many friends who are O/O and it seems to be split with the economy suffering as of date. Don't risk what time or money you can't afford to lose without securing the investment, never risk what you can't afford to lose. Good luck and whatever you decide to do just research EVERYTHING and every resource available.

Tim

Try streight trucks for now.Get your cdl-b lic save some money and then right before you turn 21,go to trucking school.The time you get your cdl-a,you be 21.Just make sure you get your cdl-a withen a month or two before your turn 21,becouse most trucking companys want at lease 90 days recent driving school exp.Good luck,hope this helps.

thanks for the help so far. I completely understand not risking everything on O/O as my step dad did and lost his and is now co driving again. As for going to school I cant afford it, I would be getting a loan or aid or something like that. One more question. When they require otr experience, does it have to be out on long hauls or can I drive regional and it still be considered the same?

I went to school on a goverment subsidized grant, they paid for schooling and actually paid me $6.50 an hr while I was in school. So you might want to check out something like that. Regional and longhaul are pretty much the same as far as expirence goes when they say they want OTR expirence. Most companies want at least 1yr and most will consider driving school as 1yr expirence. Good luck