Old driver returning

No, you don't have to go back to school. Some companies will take you right now and put you through their refresher to get the rust knocked off.
Where is your location; we can help you get back on the road.

 

You sir do not need school.
Do not have any expectations about trucking, as you will need to learn elogs and the general insanity in trucking right now is real.

 

No you dont have to go back to school.

I am also working on a return as well. In my state a truck, money and a successful stack of passed tests gets me a CDL A that i turned in previously in my lifetime. Not too long ago. (Am working on migrating from pain management and associated medicines, it will be a year or so to clear it out) Not often someone gets to leave painmanagement becuase usually it's chronic with addictions etc on top of that.

Check with your state find out what you need to reupgrade to a CDL A. More than likely it's a truck, road test, written tests and fees on top of that etc. (And a Medical DOT valid card, thats the one big change for Tier One Interstate and Intrastate commerce)

Some states will have you in a Class A permit as a formality for 15 or more days before you can bring a truck, a full grown CDL A driver with that truck (A air brake vehicle with manual transmision etc) and so on.

Your learning will learn towards ELD, BOL processing, Logging which has changed (And not for better) and other things technology which has completely and utterly invaded that tractor these days.

 

I experienced this 2 1/2+ years ago. I didn't Have to go back to school, BUT.... any company wanting to give me a refresher, also wanted a 6 month commitment. Plus I was conseidered New again.....So I did my own refresher, 4 days plus one day for State test. I was still considered New, but no commitment, and the hiring bonus paid for the refresher.
That was my experience.

 

Dart transit is advertising $10,000 sign on right now. And 55 to 65 cpm not certain how that works.

I think Covenant is offering a $40,000 sign on to drive team.

 

I learned 10 years was the max limit..... And there were lots of changes... The upside, Trucks are like palaces now! The worst bottom of the barrel spec'ed company truck, is light years ahead of anything I ever drove before.

 

Yeah, I let mine go in 2013/14 I think.... But I was told it really didn't matter, just needed a refresher...now of course, t was on me to preform and pass tests.... but those where a bit like riding a bike...
Actually in some states ( Michigan ) you don't need a formal school...learners permit and 14 days, test on the 15th day, you pass the test, you got a cdl ... BUT, many companies want 160 hours or refresher with prior experience.... =/- to everything.