Coming back to work

Greetings....from south GA....and welcome to the Forum!!

I do CDL-A fuel hauling (hazmat tanker), mostly in south GA and north FL.

I'll cut straight to your main concern: STOP WORRYING about your long work absence!!!

The CDL driver job market is....for the time being....rather hot, and you should be able to find a carrier that will hire you.

How do I know?

Prior to my first drivng job--I was a caregiver for my mother--for 5 AND A HALF YEARS (full-time).

Thus--if I can start off doing dry van duty, and later make it to hazmat tanker--I think you could get in, too.

The above is in fact true, if:

• Your driving history is clean (or almost so);
• Your criminal history is clean (or nearly so);
• You have solid proof of US ciitizenship (troops to trans--sounds like you've got it);
• You have at least a high school education (or equivalent).
• You can pass/ace a drug screen.

Based on my experience--private CDL school is definitely first pick. The quality of the instruction is generally better, and when you finish--you are not obligated to any particular party for any reimbursement. You graduate out to a true, level playing field.

Yes....you WILL have to work harder to find that first CDL employer.

But it is indeed doable.

--Lual

 

NOTICE: Because of your lack of work history--your first (or second) choice for a carrier may well reject you.

Don't let those early rejections deter you. Instead--be persistent.

In my case--Knight Transportation shot me down, and so did another carrier.

But......on the third try (isn't that one usually the charm? ), I was successful.

The rest....as they say....is history.

If you follow thru with your plan--get ALL of those endorsements, a passport, and a TWIC--you'll stand out among other applicants, and you'll get in.....sooner rather than later.

Get all of the above done, and in-hand--& then start applying for jobs.

It's generally a good idea in the long run if you stay with that first employer at least a year--longer is of course, better.

--Lual

 

Also: Texas is a GREAT place to do CDL work--and not just in flabbed, or oilfield work.

There are many fantastic opportuniites in other sectors, too.

--Lual

 

I was out for 10 years.
First I went with a smaller company for the first year. Not a cut rate company just a smaller one, about a dozen or so trucks.
I still made good money for a reffer driver.

A year just ended so I'm trying my hand at a cryogenic company. It's double the money of reffer.

Once you get back in you'll do great. Determine we're you want to end up and you'll get there.

 

I've hired several people who had long absences from working, for a variety of reasons. Be honest, stop worrying, and welcome back to the world of over paying taxes so the government can waste it.

 

If you attend a private school, the school must be on the registry:
Training Provider Registry - Transportation
(approved cdl schools)

 

As soon as you have a start date for private cdl school, you can start the applications for a pre-hire. This means, if you successfully complete the school and have any required endorsements, you'll be hired.