Feasibility of a Job Change

More than likely you will pass the DOT physical... This is a good one for @Chinatown to chime in on. Where are you located?

 

I love the user name.

I can relate. I have a degree not being used and I got into truck driving to escape an awful job market. For a while, I basically lived in the truck, took hometime in the truck or hotels, and let my mail collect at my parents' mailbox so save from paying rent.

@Chinatown is the job lead expert and can come with a few ideas after getting a location.

Also, you might consider checking in with the Van Expediters. Some of them run Box Trucks or Cargo Vans across the country. A Taxi Driver background would be helpful in a job like that, but maybe they'll know if there is still enough Van freight.

A common Expediter carrier for example is Panther.

 

As long as the blood pressure is low enough to certify you, you'll be good to drive. There are many options in the trucking industry that can #### your needs. It depends on what you want to do tbough

 

If your BP and sugar is under control, you'll be ok in trucking. If you go on insulin, pretty much kiss the career good bye. I've heard of some that get waivers for insulin dependency, but never met one; maybe it's a rumor.
Where is your location; state & nearest city?
Those other taxi drivers don't know what they're talking about, so ignore their advice.
If you can qualify for tanker work, can make around $60K - $65K your first year.
You can make $55K - $60K+ with other types of trucking your first year.
Let us know your location and we'll be able to help you get started.

 

$60k your first year is a stretch...
Depending on where you live you should check out Old Dominion Freight Lines. They hire newbies and have excellent pay and benefits.
If I lived close to a terminal I would be with them..

 

Come on out to Nevada; no personal state income taxes and no food taxes. I moved here from Tennessee due to better year round weather.
Florida is good also and so is Texas. Both of those have no personal state income taxes.
Palm Bay Florida is excellent and so is Austin, Texas.
CFI - www.cfidrive.com - has their own cdl school and if you attend that one, you won't have to change jobs when you move to Florida, Texas, or Nevada because they hire in those 3 states also.

 

All companies do drug testing. Some do urine and some do hair follicle.
To pass hair follicle need to be clean 12 months.
To pass urine need to be clean 90 days.
Do you prefer one over the other or does it matter.

 

Well being a new trucker starting out you will work 65-70 hours a week, be away from home weeks at a time, and make approximately 800/week. Does that sound worth it to you?

There is always "that guy" who is leased on to some company that magically claims to make 140k a year....... I'm sure he will chime in shortly