Is it reasonable to ask for 6 weeks off?

Sounds to me like you need to focus.

 

You either want to truck or you don’t. If you want to pursue a career in trucking maintain your current course, get that 12 months and move to greener pastures. I’ve been following your trials and tribulations. At the point you want to pursue this plan you’re 1/2 way to that 12 month goal. Embrace the Suck and stay with it if you want to drive for a better company. If you don’t want to truck then go do your plan , it sounds reasonable but not reasonable in terms of trucking. If you bail at that point everything you’ve already suffered through is for naught. If you stay with trucking you’ll get to a better outfit and then think about continuing education online. A lot could be done online from your cab. Good luck but don’t do things half way. Focus commit and execute.

 

I think you are talking about a Leave of Absence. It would be very unusual to get 6 weeks off except for a medical reason, recover from heart attack, stroke, etc. The answer to every "can I ..." is "it depends, some companies yes and other companies no." What matters is the answer from your employer, even if their answer is above/below/exactly average.

 

I remember a guy or two that have said they completed their degree while trucking. The thing you cannot depdn on is that free-time in trucking is terribly random. So, I don't know how testing and exams are done these days. If they give you days between Date 1 and Date 2 to complete the test, then good for trucking. If the test must be completed between Hour 1 and Hour 2 on Day 1, that could be very difficult.

 

no

 

If you drove for me, I wouldn’t hire you back. Should’ve enclosed that during your hiring process. Hence, you need to look out for yourself for what’s best.

 

At 3 months in, if you try to take 6 weeks off, they're probably going to terminate your employment. At least get some experience before you decide to take significant time off. Then if you decide you want to get back into trucking, you have enough time in to where you can be considered for employment. I sense that you may be unsure if trucking is for you. If that's your mindframe, you'll need to have a coming to Jesus moment and decide whether it's what you want to do. I know you've had a difficult time to this point, but it does get better.

 

If I hired you as new driver and spent the money to train you and give you a chance and you came to me after 6 months and wanted 6 weeks off I’d tell you to kick rocks.