How do I get back after nearly 7 years?

girlsdrivetoo is right! pay attention to your pretip! if its anything like mine was it was like 100 different things to point out. No bends breaks or cracks to nearly everything you can point at...lol
yeah... a newbie might be a good person to talk to. also there is a post on here for a 100 point pretrip that someone posted. you should study that.

 

Try dispatch. Take this time to see what life is like on the other end of the spectrum.

 

One thing to keep in mind as well, most Commercial Insurance companies will not allow a company to hire someone with a DUI/DWI suspension within the first 12 to 18 months after the driving privilege has been reinstated.

 

Do you have to have your class A to be a yard dog only? What about dispatch? Dock worker? Surely there's something in the industry you can do to get your foot in the door with a company around here. Nashville is loaded with places to go.

 

Yep, 6 months, no CDL. You don't need school. All that does is prepare you to get your CDL. You should be able to obtain that on your own. The problem is finding a truck for the road test. I know states like IL rent them out for that sole purpose, but I never heard of that in TN. Any friends that drive? Maybe put up a Craigslist ad and rent one that way? Ryder won't rent to you. Maybe Penske? But then you would need a CDL to obtain it??

Once you secure your CDL, you are still going to be treated like a newby. OTR experience only goes back 3 years. That's an insurance requirement. They will probably make you take a refresher course which means going out with a trainer until he signs you off. The industry constantly changes and they want to make sure you are up to date.

There are companies like Watkins Shepherd that require no experience. I think there is a thread somewhere in the forum on that subject. There are a couple other companies.

It would be easier to find a local job. But that doesn't count towards OTR experience.

A little effort, you can get back out there. Good luck!

 

I am in a similar boat. I had my license taken for years because of child support and only this month released. So I had to get a normal license and then passed all the written portions. i am renting a truck here in Dallas for the soul purpose of passing the driving portion next week.

Then I have to find places that want to hire me after not having my license. Some places have said they need 12 months, some want 2 years out of the last 3. Some say they can probably work with it. It seems to be determined by their insurance and then their safety department.

I am looking into local places and oilfield.

If I was you I would get my cdl and see what turns up over the next year.