Would I make a good driver?

Need to be pretty thick skinned and secure to make it in this biz. If you are fearful crossing a poorly lit parking area dont bother. The sad reality is you will have a lot of eyes on you. Some of those looks will be like a wolf eyeing a lamb.

 

Try working for a courier service first. Would the pay be comparable to what you make now? Research that part. Driving a van full time would probably give you an idea if you want to move up to the big trucks or not.

 

Maybe it could work out, like Private Benjamin.

 

Women drivers are more common now and there are many opportunities in the trucking industry. If you're not sure you might want to visit a school in your area and ask questions. But remember they are trying to sell you on going to their school so listen with a grain of salt and check out several schools as well as community colleges. It can be good or bad. It all depends on each persons perception. It's definitely a way of life as opposed to a regular job. You'll be able to earn a decent income with all the usual benefits and job security if you're a safe driver. There's OTR, regional, local, part time, casual, day, night , all kinds of weather and traffic. You'll be dealing with a bunch of knit wits on the road. It takes patience and major responsibility. Think about it for a while and get as much info as you can until your eyeballs are ready to pop and you can't read anymore. Ask a billion questions. Talk to schools etc. I'm thinkin that you'd be better off with a local job so you can still be with your family. That's just a guess but who knows

 

Start with a school bus or city bus. They'll train you for free to get your CDL 'B'. Doesn't pay great but if you look around this forum, the good jobs don't open up until a driver has a year or two or more because of insurance. Lots of 0-1 year OTR drivers making $4-$6/hr on 80-100 hour weeks.

Once you have your 'B" you're good to go driving for a local company that uses straight trucks in their business. You don't have to deal with OTR, not really. There are other ways to go. Get home every night.

Trucking industry needs more women drivers. After your 'B' and some experience, you can probably catch a 'refresher' to upgrade to 'A'. Nothing wrong with straight trucks, tho. You see 'Mail' on a straight truck? That's $18-$24/hr. Same if it has Old Dominion, Estes, or any of the other top-flight LTL.

 

When I was 5 my Dad gave me a Chinese finger puzzle. Insert your fingers, and get loose. I know a lady that has a truck that makes large bucks every year. She has skill/ as a driver and a wonderful person. Female frame don't work out here. Better know how to do the job. It's a really tough world out here. You run out of fuel in winter, you have problems. Valley Girl don't work out here. Tough makes it, others don't.

 

There's a forum on here for women only. Look down the list of contents on the main forum page.

Im not sure what a Chinese finger puzzle has to do with anything. Every kid had one at some point