2 Ears & 2 Eyes Here to Learn From You Guys In the Know...

Unless you have some pretty decent experience in trucking,
or a very experienced mentor to help, you dont want to jump into O/O right out the gate.

You should really get your feet wet as a company driver for at least 2 to 4 years first. This will let you see if you are really up to the lifestyle of trucking... Cause once you go O/O you are married to that truck, and a divorce can be more expensive than divorcing a spouse. You can gain alot of valuable knowledge as a company driver if you pay attention and ask questions about lanes, rates, markets ect... But this knowledge is very hard to understand from the outside looking in, you need to be part of the machine that is trucking to really begin to understand the finer points that it entails.

 

I was you 7 years ago.literally ivr learnt 99% of every Thing from these people. Seeking advice even before you get you cdl is awesome.....always remember. Ots a process. This can not he done 9ver night. You will need to be company driver at least 2 or 3 years. Ask as many questions as you can. And start driving the type of trailer you will always or at least mostly always want to drive

 

Check out new driver with own authority post on this board. People are giving all kinds of advice.

 

Back when I started researching was when I joined this forum in 2017. I to did not have a CDL and have been a production Manger for 15 years. I did all the research and watched and asked few questions.

after two years I got my CDL from a school and paid for it myself. I had lined up a job local that did oversized flat bed. Started got to do two runs and the insurance company cut them lose because of another driver wrecked and was under a year with CDL. So they put me in the yard while trying to find another insurance company that I could be under. Could not find one so they offered me a job as a installation guy. Turned down and went to work for a few months with my old employer.

did that because I wanted to work while waiting on my numbers and to get truck. Got truck and off I went. Rented a dry van for first year plus and bought new trailer. Have new truck in order now as I bought a 2014 Volvo 670.

spent a lot of money on repairing it the whole time and is now a great running truck. I make a pretty good living and work when I want. I do everything book keeping to booking loads and driving. It is. I e to be on my own and do what I want to do when I want.

do the research and go for it. Buying the truck will be the hardest part of it. Have someone really look over the truck before buying. You have plenty of money to do this in the front. If I would have it would have saved me 20k my first year.

 

Unless you have a large nest egg you can burn to learn everything you would learn from driving for someone else then by all means jump in. I did and now my 3rd year is coming to a close. But if you can’t burn 60k to learn, then driving for someone else is best choice.

 

Yes
a company driver with an inquiring sponge-like mind is what you should be for at least a year. make you stupid mistakes on someones time and equipment not your own. LEARN from those mistakes and you will have a much better chance of becoming one of the smart and successful ones. You will be lied to but don't lose you cool, take it in stride and remember the cool relaxed ones are the memorable ones and if you are going to succeed in this business you need to be remembered.

 

You didn't mention what type of engineer you are, but I'm guessing you have a few braincells still pumping well. So, I tend to think you'll be a quick study regarding the industry. So, although I totally agree with all who advise to start out as a company driver, you will probably be able to competently jump to O/O quicker than many. My opinion.
That said, I had dreams of Owner Operator myself when I started. But, after actually driving a couple of years and learning from observation and experience as best I can, I've chosen to stay a company driver instead. For my specific situation, the risk benefit analysis just didn't work out for me. Obviously others end up with different results that work better for them.
I'm not an engineer, but I've worked directly with many Electrical, Mechanical, Civil and Software Engineers, along with Hydrologists, Geologists, Physical Scientists and a slew of other incredible smart individuals. I was an Electonics Technician for 15 years and a Cartographer for 23. When I 'retired' from all that, I still needed to work a few more years before I fully retire, so ended up doing this. I've recently concluded I'm actually not a truck driver although I am competent doing it. I'm simply a traveler. Being a truck driver is the mechanism that has and is enabling me to continue to he a traveler!
Best of luck to you!

 

I’d say chances are your a quick learner. One year to get the basics down, and decide if you want to get deeper into it. You’ll figure it out along the way. One year isn’t very long, especially Trucking. Time flys by. No need to wait at 52 yrs old. I’m sure you notice the phenomenon of time speeding up. I’m 57 now, normally I’d say work 2-3 yrs. But in your case, don’t waste any more time than what’s needed to get a good grip on the ins and outs of this Industry. Lot of O/Os that Can’t or won’t change a fan belt. You can learn more as you go. There’s the basics, and then there’s plenty more to learn, much more than most realize. It’s a lot more than just Driving around. Lol