Truck driving? Is it easy for an unemployed person with a clean driving record?

Question

and no criminal history to get a job as an OTR driver?
I do not generally do well in job interviews. My communications skills are not the best. I was working as a technician for a fortune 500 company for several years. Have been unemployed for the past year.

I have not yet attempted to find a truck driving job. I have heard that there is a shortage of drivers, but I suspect there are plenty of unemployed people who would be willing to give truck driving a try. If you have any knowledge of this industry, would appreciate your comments.

Answer 1

A clean driving record is important. If you are ove 21 it will help. A lot of people are not willing to be gone for several weeks at a time so they might not apply. OTR is not as easy as some might think. You will make a decent living after you have done it for a while. Best thing to do is go to Schnieder or Swift and get a job and they will pay for you to go to school. You just have to sign a contract saying you will work for a year. They will tell you, you get to see the country which is true...from the freeway. You might pass some quaint little town but you can't stop because your truck is too big and there is no where to park. So if you can see it from the truck stop or freeway you are doing good. You live in your truck and that gets old. Your dispatcher will call and tell you you need to be across the country by morning but leagally you can't drive that many hours this happens all the time. If you say no I'm not then they give you crappy jobs for a while. But the positive side is you will have a job. I wouldn't worry about your communication skills in your job interview. If you are serious they will hire you just know for the first few years it is hard but once you have good experience you can go almost any where for a job just keep your driving record clean. You could get a local delivery job. For example I live in the Chicago area and you might run from Milwaukee to Chicago a couple of times and then be home at night. You make better money and it is easier. Just like any job there are good points and bad. Go to a truck stop and they have truck news magazines that list jobs and have articals. You could go through them to see who is hiring and the benifits they offer.

Answer 2

If you have a CDL license, go for it. If you don't, expect to put out some money getting one. However, there are companies that will help you get one through training with them and a commitment to stay with that company for a certain amount of time, usually 1-3 years. Also, plenty of financing at the truck driving schools. Just call around. It's a great job for someone that can be gone for short periods of time(usually 4-6 weeks at a time). Trying to be home every couple of weeks keeps your trips short and you don't get the miles that pay even if you're company promises a lot of "hometime". You're paid by the mile so if the wheels aren't turning, you're not making any money. Try JB Hunt and Swift. If those don't work, just start a list and keep calling. I got to see 46 of our 50 states in a few months plus some of Canada. I didn't drive but rode with my partner. Once you get through the training and get your license, you can really enjoy it. There is paperwork on a daily basis by keeping the log book but once you understand it, it's easy to do. Also, once you come off the road and decide not to drive long distance, there are plenty of jobs available with regional runs as well as just local drivers needed for many companies. Oh, with the new laws, you'll need a passport if your company sends you into Canada so think about that, too. However, you can take a regional route and keep from worrying about that for now. Good luck to you and hope this helps

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Depending on where you live truck driving can be a good job.

Expect to work more than 100hrs weekly if you are a long-haul driver. To begin as Over The Road (OTR) driver you will share a truck with a trainer for 2 or 3 months. For me this was the worst part of starting.

If you drive locally you will work fewer hours but face more competition for a job.

It is a difficult job at times but a good day as a driver was one of the best jobs I've ever had.

Pay for your own training at a community college, technical school. These are cheaper than the "free training" you get from a trucking company but allow you to work for anyone.

Stay away from Swift or C R England- these companies are HORRIBLE.

Answer 5

Get a No Cost Background Check Scan at https://bitly.im/aNRrU

Its a sensible way to start. The site allows you to do a no cost scan simply to find out if any sort of data is in existence. A smaller analysis is done without cost. To get a detailed report its a modest payment.

You may not realize how many good reasons there are to try and find out more about the people around you. After all, whether you're talking about new friends, employees, doctors, caretakers for elderly family members, or even significant others, you, as a citizen, have a right to know whether the people you surround yourself with are who they say they are. This goes double in any situation that involves your children, which not only includes teachers and babysitters, but also scout masters, little league coaches and others. Bottom line, if you want to find out more about someone, you should perform a background check.

Answer 6

Yup drivers are in high demand, especially with a clean DMV. I've been driving 18 yrs, alot of the larger cos have schools but you must commit ti them for a period of time to cover the cost. Here are some names
Swift
England
Kight
Schneider
JB Hunt
These are some of the major OTR co's
If you want more info E-mail me good luck

Answer 7

There is a truck drivers course and it will let you go through the specific rules of the road (local and states)specifically developed for big rigs and delivery vehicles.

You will have to pass a rigorous course. Backing up blind, coming down a steep hill with different loads, correct loading, loading arrangements, load testing, locations of weighing scales, etc That was supposed to be the easy part.

The hard part is keeping awake, trying to avoid , and get around the bad drivers on the road, getting to your destination on time and safely, and enduring border lineups.

Answer 8

my uncle is a truck driver. you'll need to get a cdl license. you cant be a truck driver with a regular license. yes you can get a job but you have to have someone willing to let you get your foot in the door because alot of them like exsperience but their are some who are willing to train you. because if you are new they have to send you out with a trainer to help train you. once you get exsperience alot of them will be calling you. the summer time is the best time to look for a truck driving job because that's when they have to do most of their deliveries.

good luck!!!!