Well long story short I'm coming up on my 21st birthday and noticed that to do Truck driving on the interstate (cross country and whatnot) you have to be 21 so I was just looking in to it so to speak.
The only thing I can't seem to find is what the conditions and lifestyle is like...obviously the wages vary depending on the company but I can't find out if the size of the truck you get just depends on how far you're going or if Company Driver's just get the bare minimum to travel 2,000+ miles with whatever load it is and the pros/cons that seem to go along with it.
I will say I'm a single almost 21 year-old male looking for a change primarily because I work in the Corporate world and I can't stand the fluorescent lights, cubicles, and many other things.
Any tips/advice would be appreciated![]()
An awesome "Is trucking a fun career?" Thread :)
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Alex8833, Jan 14, 2009.
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Alex,
I'm fresh out of school myself so, perhaps another more experienced driver will reply, but as far as I understand DOT regulations, you must be 23 years of age before you can driver interstate. At 21, you can driver intrastate (not leaving the state you're in) but you must be a minimum of 23 before driving state to state.
If you're determined to get into driving, you might check with some local driving schools to see if you could find a job driving a dump locally, delivery truck locally, etc., until you reach 23. -
At 21, you are able to drive INTERstate, but many companies will only take you if you are 23 or even 25. That is due to insurance. Federal regs require the age of 21.
The trucks are pretty similar for OTR. Some have more space inside than others, some are more comfortable for tall people, companies spec out their trucks differently than others.
The trucks without sleepers on them are pretty much just for local and line haul work where you go home every day. -
So figure if I start at 23 I'd be able to drive out of state, and if its a long drive then depending on the company, they put "sleepers" on them?
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Hey Alex!
Welcome to the forum. Since you are interested in a career in driving, you need to research what it is all about. This forum is one of, if not THE best way to do a lot of that research.
Take time to read, and absorb the information that is here. Keep in mind that we are all looking at this industry from our own personal points of view. This is one of the things that makes this such a great place.
You will find a few "Pollyanna" type folks here. You will find a few "Curmudgeons" here. And everything in between. So take all opinions for what they are worth, and make your own evaluations.
Now if you are near 21, you are not too likely to get hired by OTR companies due to insurance regulations. That is actually to your benefit right now, with the way the economy is. You might be able to find some type of class A job with a construction or aggregate company, but again, your age. . .
You will likely need to go to a driving school to get an OTR job, but don't do it just yet. The companies are going to want "fresh out of school" for rookies. If you go through the school now, then have to wait a year or more to get your first OTR job, they probably won't hire you without requiring a refresher course.
So just chill out, sit back read this forum, and anything else you can get your hands on about the business. Go to truck stops, and try to talk to drivers who are there. Some will be happy to talk to you, others will not want to be bothered. Don't take that personal, if someone doesn't want to talk to you. They may be having a terrible day, or just be anti-social. Others will be more than willing. Some, you will have a hard time getting to shut up!
You might think about trying to get some type of dock work for the next couple of years. It can give you a slight insight to some of the things about this business.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do! -
Hello, I read recently where the average age of otd are 35-55...probably more like 40-56...so your really getting into it at an early age...in a way that's good though...that way if you decide you don't like it, when you quit, you'll still be young enough to get into something else...
Many drivers fall into the trucking trap...where as that's the only marketable skill they have, and at around age 40 if one gets burned out, there's not a whole lot else you can do for a decent wage, unless you go back to school.
Trucking has changed a lot over the years...the truck stops are safer now...a lot safer...think about other things you might want to do before getting into trucking...even the military might be a better option...
Then again, trucking might be just the thing for you...you never really know until you try it...Last edited: Jan 16, 2009
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OTR lifestlye is very different, just think about sitting in a seat driving 11 hours a day. Then when your done you jump in the sleeper which gives you a single size bed, and barely enough for standing room. You get some cupboards for storage. Basically its a really small jail cell of your own. Its not bad though, your out there on your own driving around about 70 feet of vehicle and 80000 pounds of crap. You'll get to fight your way through traffic in the major cities, you'll see things and places you've never seen before, and some you wish you hadn't seen. But like I said before its not bad and once you get that diesel in your blood you cant get it out. You'll be at home for home time driving around going whereever and find yourself looking at all the trucks thinking you should be out there. But since your only 21 there is only but a very few that will hire you at that age. Most if not all companies want you to be atleast 23 some want 25. So when your getting close to being 23 start checking into technical colleges for truck training that way you can pick a company you want and not have to get stuck with some company training and be stuck with them for a year while you fulfill your contract.
Desiredname Thanks this. -
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Oh don't do that to him.
RUN. GO TRUCKING. -
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