New Class B driver

I’m not sure, but I think you’re going to need a class A for a lot of those jobs you mentioned.

I assume by “concrete trucks” you mean Ready Mix trucks. I deliver to a lot of ready mix outfits. They start at all kinds of crazy hours.
They might start at 0600 today and Midnight tomorrow.

 

I don't know where you live but if in the northeast, I'd look into water hauling. Lot's of dirty water from fracking.

 

You just got hired, start tomorrow and already thinking about leaving and going to a new place of bussiness to work? Youre doing it wrong man. Back and up and take a deep breath.

 

I’ve driven both Class A and B, I’ve also done a propane fueled truck (I like it’s not as stinky and loud but hate the mileage, fueling time and more maintenance).

I’ve driven semis for 3 years up until 2 weeks ago. I’ve never ever been OTR - came out of school and went into local Class A. I’m making more money driving a baby dump truck than I did a local job driving a semi.

If you’re semi retired I’d just get a Class A to open more local doors.

for whatever it’s worth I didn’t have to verify experience w new bosses. They just wanted to see I had a CDL (the class A thing upped my pay $5 hourly and an air brake endorsement). In my experience companies are so desperate for drivers. Especially the small businesses. The larger companies are a bit more choosy. Driving jobs are a buffet of selection. Smaller companies and Class B seems to be a little less finicky.

I went to work 2 weeks ago driving a semi with a belt trailer pretty unhappy and had a new job later that afternoon. I’m now driving a little class B dump truck hauling excavation dirt and fertilizer (so far, I’m sure they’ll be more things I haul) in the Saint Louis area for $35 hourly. It is pretty fun to whip around in a straight truck after being used to a semi.

The little company I found (on Facebook of all things) didn’t want experience necessarily (although I never could have done this straight brand new, I personally required a little experience) just the license as I said.

I think the key is a clean MVR, a valid license with whatever endorsements they need and the right appreciative and needy new boss. They’re all nothing without drivers. And we’re just a cog in the machine.

 

You can make good money running a mixer, however you will never have a set schedule. Furthermore as another poster stated you will have very early start times. Stick it out where you are for a year if you can.

 

1. Experience is king but alongside a clean record. but don’t let that stop you. See what you can get out the gate 1st you never know who will take you on..If no great offers. Take what you can get and then after 6 months check and see if the job you want will take you on.. if not try back in another 6 months. You do not have to go Otr. But the second part is keeping a clean record.. in your truck and in your personal vehicle. The outfit I’m with currently asked for 3 yrs exp on their application I had exactly 12 mos. to the day when I put in. And to verify experience they go and contact hr from your previous companies.
2. Don’t have any class b so I’m not qualified to answer.
3.Like said above if you can I think you should go up to a class a. But in this industry there are countless ways to make yourself happy in a truck whether it’s flatbed tanker, reefer dry van heavy haul or food service if you want to workout. You have to do the research and find what you’d like. It no point in making tons of money if you hate being at work

 

What’s a hydraulic license?