looking for a little advice.

your age will not be a problem. since you have a CDL with endorsements any of the mega carriers would hire you fast. however you might have to go with a trainer for a period of time not a bad idea. just shop around for the best deal you can get, but use caution sometimes they dont always tell you the truth about how things are. lots of luck in your new line of work

 

Welcome Vince.
You'd be perfect for Class A trucking. I have a heavy construction background and operated similar Class C trucks for many years, like you.
I jumped into Class A driving just a few years ago, and I'm 59. You didn't mention HazMat in particular, so if you don't have that it would be good to add.
Class B experience is good, but doesn't count for diddly squat, in most cases, for a Class A job.

If you're shooting for a Class A job, you probably have to take a refresher course to show a prospective employer minimum qualifications for them and their insurance company's approval. In my state, this is typically 160 hrs minimum of training, and some/many community colleges or technical schools offer such courses.
Do you want to drive local, regional, or OTR?

There are also "megacarrier" companies that take on unexperienced and newbie drivers, and train them for typically a few weeks.
Typically, in return for free training, you must stay with them for a certain period of time (6mo to a year). For some this is the only way to start into trucking, and it does have it's share of bad points associated with these "starter" companies.
BTW, semi-dumps are a different animal that straight dumps, and usually employers require semi-dump experience for those.

 

Well you said for the past 20 years you have driven a dump truck for your friends landscape business, thats great experience and even if it wasn't full time work, it was still consistent work and verifiable. Would suggest you start putting in some app's with gravel companies, construction/excavation companies and whoever all of those trucks belong to that you see. You already have your CDL-A and experience, just apply with them and see what they have to tell you. The worst they can tell you is no, but more likely they will tell you what they want before they will hire you.

 

If you're wanting to drive combination vehicles, try some concrete companies. You may need to start out driving the straight trucks, but could quickly move up to the bulk concrete trucks.

 

You can be home every night driving a concrete truck.

 

Clean record - big asset.
Age, no problem.

 

outlaw52,
Just curious how and when you obtained your Class A CDL, since it appears you've never driven a class A vehicle.
Have you had it a long time, or was it obtained fairy recently?

It's good you clarified that you want local/home daily only, no OTR. That's understandable.
In any case, your "goal" is getting both training and experience in Class A CMV's.

Local companies, such as LTL (Less Than TruckLoad) freight companies (Fedex, UPS, YRC, New Penn, etc.) are less prone to taking or training any "no experience Class A drivers", but there are infrequent exceptions at some LTLs.
The construction trucking "field" may be your best bet, however in fall/winter it takes a nosedive in hiring, due to the seasonal work (it sounds like you are near NY/NJ area).

If you need training to get "up to snuff" with Class A operation, such as fifth wheel, hook & drop, air/braking systems, proper pre-trip, etc.,
and money isn't a big issue, I'd most likely take a refresher course, as I mentioned above, to get that training, plus it will (should) give you at least about 20 hrs or better of actual tractor trailer "hands on" driving experience. Schools vary, so check them out thoroughly.

My school didn't make us endure endless hours of classroom, before putting us in the truck. It was a good blend,
and had us in the truck driving, on the 2nd day.