WannaBe Trucker

Don't know that UTI is gonna help you out on the road, unless you're gonna carry all your tools with you. As for trucking, I'd say go through your local community college or whatever (way cheaper) to get your CDL.

 

You are what I was like at 16. My grandfather was a OTR truck driver where I am a local. In NJ you can get your Class B or a Straight truck license at 18 but have to wait till 21 for a class A or combination. I wouldnt go O/O right away, take some time as a company driver and learn the industry before that. Unless your dads a O/O then thats different and have some knowledge already.

If theres a Estes Express they will hire 18 years olds for the straight truck position. Also at 18 you cannot leave the state in a commercial vehicle Other companies you HAVE to be 21 some 23. I dont know if you want to be OTR, regional or local though.

As for the diesel tech, its always a good backup plan as there will always be break downs, and can make a decent living being a diesel mechanic. As for your own breakdown, if you are a owner operator it would help you, but working as a company driver they will have to call a road service to fix your truck. My job is union and Ive had two breakdowns so far, although I knew what was wrong with the truck I cannot fix it since they dont allow it. MAkes me feel weird when I ask the mechanic at the yard to fix a light when I clearly know how to do it myself...

Hope this was helpful, I will try to help you as best as I can, just ask on here or I pm me I will will try my best to answer. Also for a O/O they have their own thread on here

 

I wouldn't necessarily recommend this in this day and age, but I joined the Army at 17 after Graduating High School and became a Motor Transport Operator. A fancy way of saying Truck Driver. I had a couple of pretty good gigs in Germany, Two different Trans Companies. One did what would be comparable to a regional job and the other was pretty much a local haul kind of job.

The problem, and the reason I wouldn't necessarily recommend it is we are still at war and there are a lot of different units that need truck drivers. When I was in Ft Riley, and part of the 1st Infantry Division (Big Red One), I was assigned to Ammo Section of Service Battery 1st of the 5th Field Artillery Regiment.

No complaints form me though, that 10 months in Kansas not withstanding, I spent from 18 - 23 driving around Europe. If you get in the right units, life is good.

It's an option that gets you some behind the wheel time, but one you want to think long and hard about.

Oh, and nobody recognizes the experience either, but it was a blast at that age.