Advice for a prospective new driver?

Sounds like you have a job history to me. What am I not understanding. In order to maintain as much independence as possible, I'd suggest you decide what kind of driving you'd like to do first. Some folks have been burned by getting their CDL from a school of their choice only to find a good company and learn that they don't qualify because that company has their own list of approved schools. Be careful where you shop.

 

well if you are technically "unemployed" check with your states unemployment services. They have a grants that will pay for schooling. Plus you might qualify for the pell grant. If you want to take your time. I'd go through the Tech College course vs your "As seen on TV" School. Also check with the carriers you are thinking of trying to go with. As they'll have both accepted and preferred schools.

@Chinatown is a fountain of useful info on companies. But you'll need to let us know where you live. Also what you're wanting to do, Reefer, Dry Van, Tankers, Skate Boards....etc.

 

Job history will be a problem for many companies unless you have tax records to back up when you did work.
Check you state for free cdl school. As @FLtoOKBound posted the state has Pell Grant program.
States have WIOA program which you can Google for information on your state.
Another person that had been unemployed for years was accepted for a trucking company cdl school, until he admitted smoking pot years and years ago, so that ended that job interview.​

 

R. E. West has dry van division and their cdl school is free with no contract to sign.
Meals & Lodging plus hourly pay while in school.
School is in Ashland City, Tennessee
No Experience? No problem! — R. E. West Transportation
https://www.rewest.com/no-experience-no-problem
R. E. West will PAY YOU to get your CDL and become a driver for our company. We don't make you sign a contract; we don't send you to someone else's school then make you worry about tuition reimbursement. We bring you to our facility in Ashland City, TN and train you from the ground up on the skills necessary to obtain your CDL.

 

I'm from "near Nashville", which town are you in?

 

Here's another one:
Driving School – TLD Logistics
https://tldlogistics.com/driving-school
cdl driving school With locations in Knoxville, TN, Crossville, TN, Morristown, TN, and Lebannon, TN, TLD Logistics can get you trained and on the road in no time. Owned by Toyota Tsusho, you can count on TLD Logistics to have the latest equipment and state …

 

Maybe the Tornado relocated him? lol

 

Tornados is one reason I moved.