18 year old trucker?

Sure, it gives them bragging rights with that piece of paper hanging on the wall.

Attend a CDL school as soon as you're 18 yrs. old. Beverage companies and household goods movers hire 18 yrs. olds for driving within the state. As soon as you turn 21 yrs. old you can run coast to coast. Dozens of companies will hire you at 21 yrs. old.

 

Dude beer and soda loads are a PITA They are actually loads most of us can't wait to get rid of.

 

My cousin signed onto UPS when he was 18. He started as a loader then moved onto sorter. He stayed a sorter for 8 or 9 years and got his bachelors degree with their help. He couldnt find a job with his degree so he became a delivery driver (class c box trucks/vans). The step from delivery driver to class a tractor trailer driver is ridiculously easy.

My cousin will retire at UPS. Today he clears 100k.

 

Crazy how many old farts tell the kid to go rack up debt that he will highly, most likely not pay off in his life with a "college degree". Yeah hey, go to college son because you'll probably end up not working in that field anyway...but you'll have that fancy piece of paper saying you're smart... give me a break.

OP: Your mentality is very surprising at such a young age, gives me a little faith in humanity again. Keep your head up and pursue what you want to pursue. Don't let the naysayers swing you in what they seem to think is "best" for you. You do have a lot of years ahead of you to think about what you want but if you know now, more power to you. Good luck, young one.

 

I got my CDL at 19. No schooling, just me and the manual they give at DMV. I learned to drive through my uncle and dad. I hauled farm machinery until I was 26, then got an OTR job. Was it easy? Heck no. Was it smart? I think my pay stubs can answer that. And by the time I went OTR, I had enough sense to do rather well. I had some "real" experience I gained with little risk.

And all it cost was the permit fees and a little gas....

OP, do what your gut tells you. Only you know the answer. College is not for everyone. Certainly wasn't for me. Many people I went to high school with went to college, and most are now broke, bankrupt and miserable with two kids. (Not that I have anything against kids mind you)

 

I think he was joking about that.


But in all honesty if you like driving a truck finish your high school and then do what Shaggy said, but i believe you should consider going to college also, in case trucking is not for you.

 

18 when I got my cdl with all endorsements. Only ran in Texas until I was 21, or maybe 23. I stayed in Texas anyhow, until I was 25.