How long can you stay out of trucking to keep your experience recent?

The other members nailed it. You don't forget how to drive a truck, especially if you were a good driver before you took off. At my company, there was a guy in my orientation class that hadn't driven in 4 years and they hired him, amd he didn't do a refresher. He had so much experience beforehand, something like 18 years. Some companies will make you do a refresher, others will just put you to work.

 

Yea I believe it’s a racket also it’s the same idea as a bicycle I haven’t ridden one in years but I guarantee if you hand me a bike I will be able to get around the block with out any issues.

 

It depends on the trucking company you want to get hired by. Some are a few weeks and some will take you if your experience was in the last 2-3 years.

 

Important thing is to keep up your medical card up to date or let dmv know

 

Also keep in mind it seems we are heading into a slowdown. If it gets worse then maybe it becomes even harder to get hired. Although a good driver with many years of experience and safe driving is like finding a gold nugget, so you probably would be OK I guess.