Getting into Driving after nearly 5 years off the road

Oil field would take anyone, but if your trying to move to Texas I would suggest something with a man camp to provide housing. Midland area is where its at but housing ain't easy around there. Some drive some distance every day for it I know a guy in my area who drives from San Angelo to Midland every day. I couldn't do that maybe once a week but not that far daily. Keep in mind they are strict on no drugs and alcohol on the grounds by that I mean even mouthwash with alcohol they will remove you see them do that to a few who thought its not drinkable well apparently, they don't know how far an alcoholic goes for his next drink... which is why the rule is there.

 

You might check with these guys.

Southern Transport, LLC | Kilgore TX

If it were me, I’d do something local, so you still have a life. With OTR, one day you’ll wake up and realize your entire life has passed you by.

 

If your experience is longer than the time you were out of a truck, then companies can look at you. We had a guy in orientation with me who was out of a truck for 4 years, but he had 18 years experience. They didn't make him do a refresher. The question is how much experience did you have before you got out of trucking.

 

Ahhh ok, then the refresher will do you fine then. Even if a company sent you out with a trainer, I can't imagine it being that long, they'd probably do that just to get your feet back wet again.

 

Idk, I really think it all depends on the insurance. I have 9 years total with van, flat, heavy haul, hazmat tanker, reefer, and close to 1 million miles. Never had accident, or incident. 0 points on mvr, nothing on psp, nothing on DAC. Lot of companies have denied me when I’ve been looking around just for ####s and giggles. I could be wrong. Climate told me yes, but living in MA was a no go. If I relocated they would have been interested. Some wanted refresher. Some want 3 months, 6months, or 1 year recent experience. Think a true road test any real driver would be honest. It’s not going forward but the backing if anything where the rust would be. I always GOAL though but idk. No bragging just throwing it out there what I was seeing when I had an itch to get back into it. No OTR since 2021

p.s. the saddest part is most of these companies were banging down my door on driver pulse. Now they won’t even touch me. ####s kinda funny.

 

The employer will dictate which CDL school you should use for a refresher course. Essentially you want to almost "get hired" before you go to the refresher course. That will prevent wasting your time and money and having no driving job.