Ex driver trying to come back

mark, i deal with students a lot. i am a driver instructor at a school here on the east. what many companies require is the verifiable experiences you just mentioned. which you really do not have. you might very well have to go to a truck driving school if only for the 'short" class of say about 160 to 200 hours. cost might be about $4,000 however. you just got your CDL.......??? then if so, many companies are also going to require that you had "formal" training.

you can always try a smaller company, but your years away may hurt you. i'd recommend going and finding a "cheap" training class and get it done and over with, should only be about 5 weeks total time, then the school can hook you up with a company.

 

If you do get a break it will be most likely be from a company that is self insured. All others go by what the insurance companies say. But you don't have to spend a whole lot of money to get certified. Check your local community college for a course and it will be much cheaper and in most cases better.

 

ah yes.........the chauffeurs license.......i know..........i had one as well.......

if the trucking companies are telling you what i am telling you..........you get the idea.........you are unemployable right now.

you will have to go through all the usual process any newbie would go through. unless, you can find someone willing to hire you "as is"............

and yes, it can be like "riding a bike", because you don't forget too much...........but as you know..........times are different........you are my age as well. and starting all over again will be a pain in the arse.........but you gotta "do it"...........

 

Hi Mark. I was out of driving for 13 months due to two back surgeries. I'm back to full functioning now, but I still went back and took a 'refresher course' from a quality school in order to get my foot back in the door for re-hire. You have been out of a truck for 24 years.

Having your CDL is not the issue. The issue is recent and verifiable experience with driving a truck. You are, in effect, a newbie who is handicapped by not having anything that will let a company know that your knowledge base on current regulations and issues, as well as driving skills, are up-to-date. This is not to say that you don't HAVE the skills, but right now that is just not enough. My guess is that you'll need to either hook up with a very small operation which will be willing to test you out, OR, you will need to go back to a 160 hour (or more) program through a respected CDL school.

 

Hey Mark,

I have just started in this industry. I have my own authority, truck trailer, insurance and still some capital to work with. I am 37 yrs old a happily married father of three. I started in the car hauling business with a 1 ton and a wedge trailer. I will take my air brakes portion of the CDL test so will be able to drive the Pete 387 I just bought and I am set to purchase a 7 car hauler 9/2/2010 after completion of the air brakes test. Experience is what I lack. That said I have done well thus far and with this new truck and the ability to haul more units I am look forward to a future in this field. I have moved all across the US in the last 6 months. I have great connections in this area of trucking.

If hauling cars as a team driver with a guy who has just "jumped" into this industry sounds like a possible way for you to get back in then we should talk. I will be hiring a driver who is willing so work 6-9 days on then 4-5 off.

You will need to be professional, clean, have good communication skills and be someone who is focused. I chose to send this message because your experience albeit not as much as some is more than mine. And because the wisdom of a 53 yr. old should be more than that of a 37 yr. old also. Since my income with this truck and trailer combination has yet to be puts to the test we will have to come up with (if it worked out) a starting pay for you. I can keep this trailer full and rolling!
I am willing to pay the right person well to help me get this new truck and trailer rolling and profitable. When the profit is right which SHOULD be right away I may or may not continue to team drive. In other words this is a rolling interview of sorts. I will be interviewing for this job during the month of Sept.

This is not a post to tell others about please! I will chose who to approach with this offer. I do honestly hope you respect this.

If you can be professional, honest, abide by the law, respect my privacy as I will respect yours, stay focused (while on the clock), be ready to roll when the units are, able to travel in every state (EXCEPT CALI.) and are ready to get back in with a guy who JUST got in then maybe we can give this a shot.

Again I have my own authority, truck and trailers, insurance and have been doing well thus far on a smaller scale. I'm going to be ready to roll towards the middle/end of Sept.

Bryan Fulgham
Owner-Triple L Transport
Contact me through this site to set up interview. Again this post was to you not the world please.

 

I have moved vehicles all across the US in the last six months that is

 

I just wanted to tell you that your offer to op driver was very nice, and wish you both luck at whatever you and he decided to do!

 

Driving schools are for teaching students to pass the tests to get their CDL.

There are companies out there that offer refresher courses for people just like you. You will have to ride with a trainer for 6-8 weeks. He'll evaluate you. So if you can drive, it shouldn't be any problem.

Most company websites will advertise if they offer refresher courses.

Experience levels are pretty much set by the insurance company. The drivers experience is what dictates the cost of the premiums.