Interested in becoming a trucker

Yes thats true if they have room and will allow it.

I park at Wal Marts fairly often.

 

I don't see why your asking for advice for it sounds like you already know what you want to do. To to DMV and get the book study it get your permit rent a truck teach yourself in an empty parking lot then the road then take the test buyerself then go to work

 

If you have anxiety issues trucking is not for you! driving a large vehicle in heavy traffic with 4 wheelers cutting you off, dealing with receivers,having to deal with dispatchers,getting bad instruction and ending up on a road with a 12'4 bridge in front of you ,if you are not ready to deal with all kinds of people & work crazy hours trucking is not for you !

 

I have a hearing disability (I passed my dot physical lol). I dont like big crowds and I enjoy being alone. I probably have some anxiety about being in crowds or around people for prolonged periods. I like turning onto the open road and managing my truck, running when I want, and getting away from it all. Its not as glamorous as we might imagine, but its a pretty sweet career. For someone who does not like crowds and tons of people trucking is great. I love it and would never go back to a desk job.

That being said, truck stops are sometimes noisy, but roll up your windows and your all alone again. Many consignees (the person you ship to) allow overnight parking but not all. Rest stops are normally calmer.

As for school...I did not take a traditional course. Most of CDL school is learning what you can form reading the DOT manual and doing a bit of research on your own. That being said, Only big companies can insure you and big companies only hire CDL school graduates. The license means nothing without experience. Small companies cant hire you because you don't have experience.

I learned all I could and got my permit before attending school. I then paid for 24 hours of training behind the wheel (one on one with instructor). This gave me a schools name but I skipped all the class time. Many companies require a 120+ hour course, but I talked TMC into hiring me based on my work history, college degree and pointing out that most 120 hour classes only have 20 hours behind the wheel.
the company I wanted. I'm happy in my career, but it would be easier to get hired if you take a normal 120 hour course. I also got my cdl for only 1500 bucks where most spend at least 3000. Feel free to PM me if ya wanna chat because you sound like the same way i was a year ago.
-Cody

 

You cant rent a truck without a CDL, also you cant insure yourself. Although I'd agree with the first part.

Although almost all training programs requier you to share a truck for3-5 weeks once you get the job. That might be hard for you. It was hard for me. Once you get through it though u got your own truck.

 

Are the anxiety issues purely social anxiety or are they in general anxiety as well. i have social anxiety when around to many people and love trucking. No career is totally people free, but trucking is as close as you get.

 

Hey Cody liked your post some good advice to metalman and others. Just curious though with little experience what was TMC offering for starting out cpm? And what hometime were you getting out of the gate?

 

My suggestion is to find a company that fits your needs. Second, look for schools that they recruit from (if they dont offer their own training). Third, read everything you can on this forum, if you have a question someone has already asked it and its been answered 1000 times. This forum has helped me in more ways that I can count.

Once you figure those out, go to your local WIA office and find out if you qualify for it. Here is the website that has locations http://www.edd.ca.gov/jobs_and_training/LWIA_Listing.htm. With WIA it helps if youre unemployed. There are also a lot of companies that offer reimbursement so you wont be out of pocket a whole lot.