Being an OTR right after training?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by nicedude80, Jan 19, 2015.

  1. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Not sure about Canada regulations, but in the USA there is an exception for driving interstate if you are hauling farm equipment. There's a couple of members of the forum that got started driving at 18 y.o. by getting on with companies that haul harvesting equipment, following the harvest from Texas on up to North Dakota. It may be the same in Canada.

    You can get your CDL at 18 in the USA, but can only drive intrastate until you're 21. Most trucking companies won't hire you for OTR until you are 23 because of insurance. Insuring a driver under 23 is very expensive.

    There's been other threads about how to get into professional driving when you are young. Seems that most folks are recommending hiring on at a warehouse, get your CDL and be available to spot trailers or take short hauls as the company might need. Oil fields in Canada might have a few companies that could take on a younger driver. The thing is you'll need to do your own research with the regulations in the province you live in and Canada regulations, then you'll need to start getting on the phone or visiting trucking companies in person and talking to the folks to see what might be available.

    OTR will HAVE to wait until you are 21 (unless you are working agriculture but not sure about this in Canada) and certainly driving between countries will have to wait. You might have to wait until you are 23 to be hirable by an OTR company. Note that when you get OTR you will be able to deliver loads from Canada to the USA, or pick up loads from the USA delivering in Canada, but you won't be able to take loads that pick up AND deliver in the USA.
     
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  3. nicedude80

    nicedude80 Bobtail Member

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    Wow! Thanks for the answer! I will definitely look through Transport Canada's regulations. I can also definetly see farm equipment hauling in Alberta. left, right, up and down there are fields. I will look into that. But I guess my first step after high school would be going to take a class 1 course and getting my license. Then just see what I can do. I'm sure if I look hard enough I will be able to get a job eventually.
     
  4. nicedude80

    nicedude80 Bobtail Member

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    Is it possible to get a trucking job at 18 though? Obviously not OTR, but has anyone here gotten a job at 18? Any tips or stories?
     
  5. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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