Is it hard to learn to drive a truck?

I'm the same way. I race bikes on a national level so I'm all legs. I have a 32" waist and my work pants are a 36" because they are too tights on my thighs and ### if I get a 34" and a 32" I can barely get around my legs.

 

Lol so you know exactly what I mean.

That’s cool af bro. Nice to see some of us doing something physical.

I just like lifting and snowboarding not on a national level haha.

 

I always wanted to try snow boarding, it looks ####ing rad. I never gave up BMX racing, started at 7 and now I'm 38 and still going. Went pro for 7 years but now I'm back running expert (amateur) because I don't have the time to dedicate to training anymore. I still race 3 times a week just not in the summer because all it does is rain here.

 

Nice, snowboarding is fun as hell. I’ve been doing it since I was 6th grade. 32 now. I’ll never be pro but I used to live with a couple guys who were. NEVER had to buy clothes or gear. Those were the days lol

 

This hermit truck driver cooks ribeyes and scrambled eggs on the road.

 

Yes.
Extremely difficult.
That's the reason you rarely see trucks on the road

 

I used to be a crew boss with a herd of CDL temps.

Some don't know automatic, some don't know manual (Never mind restrictions with auto only, private auction... more or less)

Stick em in the cab. do that, that push that get going.

They did pretty well.

As a reward to old white air and wrinkles I'll hand the oldest iron in the line. You think he's 18 again all over again.

That, is a gift.

 

@FlaSwampRat I have the same problem. Last time I bought nice jeans I had to go about 4-6" too long in the legs in order for them to be comfortable on the upper legs. Then pay $15/pair to get the pant legs hemmed. Seems most guys don't even lift these days

 

Frail boys lol.

Just got back from the gym actually.

 

I haven't started driving yet, will start CDL school later this month, but I've been researching for the last three months and I'll give you a synopsis of some of the more valuable things I've learned particularly on this site:

1. Figure out what kind of trucking you want to do. There's a myriad of different types of trucking from over-the-road ( OTR ), regional, local, dry can, refrigerated, tanker, less-than-truck-load ( LTL ), intermodal, etc., etc. What you want to do will be dictated a lot by what works in your life so be honest about the whole thing, like how it's going to impact your family, not just the money you want to make. Trucking is a life style not just a job. If necessary have multiple conversations w/ your family about how everyone's life may change if you start driving.

2. Once you decide what type of trucking you want to do, figure out what companies do that kind of work in your area and start researching those companies. If possible talk to some people who work for those companies and get their honest opinion. Don't just rely on what a recruiter tells you.

3. AFTER you figure out 1 & 2, now figure how you want to do your training. This is the par that people often do first but it could be putting the cart before the horse. Once you figure what you want to do and where you want to do it, now you can work on how you want to get there? Some companies will offer CDL training but then you'll likely be obligated for some time ( typically a year ) to work for that company to pay back the debt. Or you can pay out of pocket to a CDL school ( local community colleges seem to be one of the best options ) and then have the flexibility to go where you want when you want. Keep in mind there may be grants and/or financial aid like FAFSA available to help pay for CDL school. Likewise some of the larger companies like Schneider offer tuition reimbursement even if you pay out of pocket. You'll just need to present your paid tuition bill and you'll ostensibly be signing up w/ them for a stretch of time as the payments are typically incremental over time though you won't necessarily be locked into a contract.

4. If you pay for CDL school yourself start applying to BEFORE you finish school so you'll be in a position to "hit the ground running". Call around to the companies that you're interested in and see how they view the CDL training you're considering? A lot of companies like tanker outfits have experience minimums - typically one year - that they'll wave IF you go to the right school and they'll typically have an "approved schools" list. Example; Superior Bulk Carries appears to be one of the better regarded tanker companies going. Generally speaking they require 12 months of CDL experience to be considered for hire BUT if you attend a CDL school on their approved list they will wave this requirement. You have to call them to find out what schools are on their approved list which is part of why you want to treat this whole thing like a process and start early. Overall you should treat this job search process like a real job search even though the so-called "driver shortage" skews the process a bit. I've heard it's even a good idea to go glad hand w/ the local terminal manager in person before submitting an online application.

5. You can take the written CDL tests BEFORE going to CDL school which essentially gives you your learners permit. CDL school will of course walk you through this process and many schools are geared directly towards passing the tests. However if you take and pass the tests before hand obtaining your learners permits before you even start school it could be a way to get yourself more practice / seat time in an actual truck while others are working on passing the written tests. There are loads of study resources available like study manuals, the practice tests on this site and others, phone & tablet apps like "CDL Prep", etc. One thing I would definitely also recommend in addition to the above would be to get the actual CDL manual for your state and read it thoroughly. You may need to download it as a .pdf and print it yourself or read it on your PC b/c they don't hand them out anymore ( that's how it is in TX ) but this should be your primary resource. ALL of the answers to the test you'll take in your state are in that states manual. Get it! Read it! Know it!

In essence, treat this thing like a process and break down the steps you need to take to get where you want to go and you can eliminate some of the initial stress of starting something new! Good luck!