Looking to get CDL.. but

Get a quick letter from your family doctor or anybody that was aware of you caregiving in the medical field, and have that notarized as @Moosetek13 said.

 

Hell they are not even hiring them to fire them.

It is a very tight employment market in the industry, a lot of new CDL holders are not even getting a chance because a lot of experienced drivers are looking for jobs.

 

if I owned a trucking company, I would DEFINITELY seek the 30 - 40- even 50 years experience. That way I can go too sleep at night, and not have the phone ring.

 

Great, another Tennessean. I'm from Robertson County originally.
~
For starters, apply with this company:
R E West
14 Bluegrass Dr, Ashland City, TN 37015
Click--->No Experience? No problem! — R. E. West Transportation

 

You probably qualify for free cdl school; no cost to you. This program is designed for the unemployed & under-employed.
WIOA Resources - Tennessee State Government - TN.gov
The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program is administered by the …

 

CR England was willing to hire my newborn cousin. They don't care about employment gaps as long as they can lock you into the contracts.

 

Get Your Commercial Driver's License (CDL) - C.R.
Learn from industry-seasoned instructors and train on top-of-the-line equipment at one of the four locations across the US. C.R. England offers CDL education programs that fit your career goals and provide real-world knowledge and …

 

Unfortunately -- Ridgeline above is correct -- the current CDL job market blows chunks.

The good news: Tennessee is probably a better than average place to look for CDL work right now. I've noticed that the CDL job market has remained pretty good around Nashville.

I was a caregiver for a parent for 5+ years -- then afterwards, got into the trucking world.

But -- that was back when the CDL job market was MUCH BETTER.

The job market is now in favor of the carriers (not the job seekers) -- & carriers know this.

Thus -- some suggestions, as food for thought:

• Make the fight a fair one -- use the above-mentioned WIOA resources to GET YOUR CDL ON YOUR OWN (via a nearby tech school, or community college). This way, if you are later fired by a carrier (whether justified, or not), you do not still owe them $$$$ for their so-called "free" CDL schooling.
• Stand out from the other job applicants: get all of the relevant CDL endorsements: tanker, hazmat...& doubles/triples -- BEFORE applying for any jobs. This shows prospective employers that you are serious -- & you mean business. This also opens the doors later for many of the better-paying CDL gigs. BONUS POINTS: If you also go ahead & get a TWIC card.
• Go where the most freight is: after getting the above credentials (& not just applying for them) -- submit complete on-line applications to the larger "starter" carriers: Swift, Schneider, Werner (DON'T just call them, & inquire -- submit/complete those job applications, FIRST). If you think you can stomach flatbed duty -- Maverick Transportation is constantly looking for new drivers in/around the Nashville area. For the right kind of person -- Maverick is an outstanding opportunity.
• Don't bottom-feed for work: stay away from Western Express, TransAm, Pam Transport, CRST....or any of the Chicago-based carriers. You want a CDL & a real job -- NOT a prostate exam.

Best of luck....

-- L