Im 20 i live in Texas And would love to be a truck driver.

Most companies won't hire anyone under 23 simply because it takes that long to at least obtain some experience in driving, period.

Think about this and the rationale behind it.

Most kids (or young adults, as the case may be), are still running on testosterone at your age... not thinking of the consequences of their actions or the value of the equipment and product they are moving. It's not unreasonable to consider nearly (between the tractor and the load), no less than 1/2 million dollars depending on the load. Tractor and trailer alone can be well over $200,000.

Your best bet is to take the seat with an Owner/Operator who would be willing to let you earn your way into the driver's seat with some training and confidence building (the Owner's confidence in you).

'Bigfoot'
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Seek out work in the oil patch. If you survive the first 6 months with your life and all your limbs it will keep you in shape, pays well, is [fairly] stable work that will allow to to move and work wherever you care to transfer to if the need arises, and will keep you in a good position to move into trucking when the time is right.

 

Some states will allow you to run within the state, can't cross state line; don't know if Texas is one of them. Some trucking companies hire at age 21. If you can afford a private CDL school, plan your graduation for after 21st birthday, & then you're good to go. Start early & study the CDL tests & endorsement tests; some are on this forum & some on Google. Get a study guide from your local DMV also. Best wishes.

 

Maybe apply at oilfield supply houses. Start on the counter or in the warehouse, perhaps drive a 1 ton to drill sites for deliveries. I understand roustabout work is hard, demanding and not for everybody, but the oil field supports many different types of services that are conducive to driving experience at least on a local/regional scale.

Living in TX, you are fortunate and there are smaller companies who have their own private fleets who can PERHAPS hire drivers under 21. I ran 120k miles year for a small private carrier and never left the state of TX while I was 18,19 and 20 years old but things may be a bit different now.

 

I'm 21 years old and hauling mostly oversize and overweight loads. I started at the current place I drive for before I turned 21.

In short, driving before you're 21 can be done. I did it and have had several friends who were in the driver's seat before they were 21 years old, as well. You'll have to really search for companies, drop an application at any company that will give you one. Watch for companies that seem to have young driver's and write down the name on the door. Keep looking, talkeith people, keep your ear to the ground.

Keep at it and you can find a place to hire you before the magical age of 23. They're out there and can be found, and make sure you let us know when you turn 23 so you can tell us how your entire worldview completely change... because, according to 90% of the insurance companies out there, it will.

Good luck.