Little to no experience - Trying to get back OTR after 14 month break

I went through US Truck Driver Training School in December 2014.
Then I was hired by a major, well-known training company. I finished my driving with a trainer and got my own truck. Long story short, I have about 20 miles under my belt after getting off my trainer's truck. I had to put trucking on hold pretty much right away. I left on good terms.

Now I haven't driven a truck since February 2015. So it's been over 1 year.

Am I still considered a "recent cdl graduate"? I'm not really experienced. I've noticed some companies will only hire "recent cdl graduates" or 6 months minimum experience. I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of that. I'm fully prepared to go through the whole trainer thing again. I would expect nothing less.

Any guidance? Thanks!

 

Call the company that you left. They will probably re-hire you.

 

Where is your location? Need to know the hiring area you live in. Are you in Michigan?

Freymiller hires drivers with a long gap in driving; they have hired drivers that have been off the road up to 5 years. Do their short online application then follow with a phone call tomorrow to check on the application.

 

I live in southeast Michigan. I'll look into Freymiller. Thank you!

 

Transport America and TransAm also hire drivers with a long gap in driving.
Corrigan Moving Systems is another @Zata40

 

Thank you for your time, Chinatown. All three companies you have mentioned seem to be exactly what I'm looking for and I am seeing positive things about them. I'll be making some phone calls tomorrow. =)

 

I talked to recruiting at freymiller and Transport America today.

TA doesn't have a refresher course, but they will reimburse for someone elses refresher course.

Freymiller said they would just put me through orientation and immediately with a trainer for a few weeks to evaluate me. No road test (I asked specifically). They are just short on non-smoking trainers and there is a waiting list (just a few weeks). Im gonna wait it out and go with them.

 

Smart move on your part. Good luck and best wishes getting your career on track.

 

Sounds like you got something in the works. Most likely anywhere you go they will want to "evaluate" you before you are sent out on your own. I hope that things work out for you and your able to stick around this time. Good luck my friend.

 

Thank you!
The recruiter said she'd send me an email with an application, but I haven't received it yet. My last name is kind of hard to pronounce, let alone spell. So I have a feeling she may have spelled my email wrong. I'll have to call back tomorrow.

I know I can fill one out on the website, but to me it's different to know I'm the one she talked to.