Wanting to get into trucking-

I assume that you do not have a CDL, right? Also, I assume that you are a young man, probably in the early 20s, right? Why do you want to get into trucking? Trucking is "tough", you either become "tough" or you will get chewed up and spit out. Trucking is not "romantic", it is hard work, lonely work, unappreciated work, dangerous work, cheap work(when you consider the hours against the pay).

Probably what you have mentioned here about your traffic incidents, most likely these incidents will not harm you from becoming a truck driver(what a goal--).

As I look back over 58 years of making my living as a truck driver, I would not take a thing for the memories. Trucking provided a good living for me and my family. I saw the country, made a decent living, had a "ball" up to several years ago. Would I get in trucking today, NO WAY!! When I got into it, most of the trucking companies were union, drivers were respected, traffic was not "bumper to bumper", I went over 25 years and my log book or medical card was never looked at. I can say truthfully, I cannot recall a DOT Inspection until a few years ago. In 1979 or 1980 "De-Regulation" came along, but today trucking is more "regulated" than it has ever been.

Go find yourself a position in life that you can be proud of. Once I was proud to say that I was a truck driver, not today!!

 

DOT PAID THE DAMAGES?? That's a new one. Okay, 1st, while you may not have gotten a ticket, nobody will know, however, it may indicate you are "overdriving" the vehicle. Any rear-ender is inattentive driving, and that only gets multiplied times a thousand in a semi. 2nd, I think you have as good a chance as any, just make sure you can stop. Next time might not be so lucky. Good luck.

 

I get your comments about how bad trucking has become and have heard it from others as well

Im not sure it’s the trucking part that’s gone down hill
I’m an owner op. Make good money etc and agree that it’s not maybe what it once was but I also believe that those “ other “
jobs some say to go get are also down the tubes

I was at a rail yard the other day and asked the guy loading me if it was a cool job, he said it used to be but no more

I used to own a flooring business and even though I moved 1800 miles away and did so in 2008 I’m still being asked by my old accounts to come back and re open
I don’t think I could build the same business today that I did 35 years ago with that either
Those accounts are obviously having the same issues as trucking, McDonald’s, Walmart etc

I think it’s a Global work environment issue not just trucking

 

Okay, hold on. I've been accused of being too negative, and I feel your frustration, BUT, you have to remember, would I go into trucking today? Of course not, it's not the same job as we had, but today, young drivers won't know how it was, and even with all the rules ( that we helped create, btw) it's a good job, and can make more money than we EVER saw driving a truck. Due to our lackluster enforcement of the rules, this is what's become of trucking, and quite frankly, it's easier than ever. Trucking, for me, was never an "I'm so proud" profession, more self gratifying, really, and that's still true today. We simply need the drivers, and will never go back to how it was,,sadly. I hear ya', bro!!

 

No job is what it “used to be”. Burger flipping used to be a humiliating way to make a buck, even among teenagers. Now, they can make $15 an hour and be high on the hog.

And, I don’t mind telling you, I get a little steamed when I go get Big Maude’s 4 Big Macs and it takes up the better part of a twenty spot and I look back there and see some drooling, pimple faced snot that probably can’t add 2 plus 2 without a calculator making them!

 

The rear end hit is the big issue. That's considered a "preventable" accident.
Go to a private cdl school, community college/tech cdl school or apply to trucking company school.
Where is your location; state & nearest town/city?

 

Had a friend hit a pothole on the bigroad that broke the front wheel of his motorcycle. State paid for the damages.

 

Trucking is a unique occupation in many ways. Although there are lots of local trucking jobs that have you home everyday, most folks think of OTR truckers and trucking. Since that is my niche, OTR stuff is what I'm referring to.
It is a fairly easy occupation to get into, but it is not for the many who try it. I just think it's a personality thing. There are both sacrifices and unique benefits to OTR trucking. If you find the benefits outweigh the sacrifices, OTR trucking just may fit. It does me.

Sacrifices include being away from home and loved ones, often for weeks at a time, and when you are home, it's never long enough. Also, it's a fairly lonely life. You have to be comfortable being with yourself, by yourself, for most of the time. Some are OK with it, some aren't.

Benefits are the travel and scenery. We have a beautiful country and it's pretty cool to be able to traipse around to see so much of it. Also, you are, usually, much more your own boss without constant supervision than many jobs. You get a load with a place and time to pick it you, and a destination with a place and time to deliver. All the inbetween is left to you. There is some variance in that depending on your company. You may get a specific route to follow and specific fuel stops, but those aren't too much of a pain. My company does that, but they are usually pretty flexible and I regularly deviate from my given route. I just have to justify it, and if I do want to follow a different route, I'll have a reason for it to begin with. That's usually all the justification I need.
Anyway, many places are no longer 'foreign'. Boise, Salt Lake City, Portland, Seattle, etc (I'm a West Coast guy) are no longer just some place on a map. And, if you don't care for routine, OTR is the right place! I seldom know where I'm headed next. I like the adventure of that. I get a kick out of waking up in the morning and not knowing what State I'm in. IDK, I just personally find that a kick. I like the adventure aspect of OTR.

So, best of luck to you. If you try this and it doesn't work out, don't fret it, this isn't for everyone. But, if this occupation fits you, as it does me, it's just kind of special. I don't know of another occupation quite like it and I've become somewhat addicted to it.