QUESTIONS FROM AN ALMOST NEWBIE
 

HELLO ALL,
I AM 40 YEARS OLD AND LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER. I HAVE CONSIDERED DRIVING A TRUCK FOR A LONG TIME BUT I HAVE NEVER DRIVIN' STANDARD IN ANY TYPE OF VEHICLE. IT HAS PREVENTED ME FROM TRYING FOR YEARS, BUT I AM TIRED OF BEING NERVEOUS ABOUT IT. I AM CONFIDENT THAT I CAN PASS THE KNOWLEDGE PART OF THE CDL TEST AND I KNOW I CAN LEARN THE DOUBLE CLUTCH FROM AN INSTRUCTOR. HOWEVER I AM COMPLETELY NEW TO THIS AND I AM LOOKING FOR ANY FEEDBACK I CAN GET FROM THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR YEARS. LIKE WHAT WAS YOUR SITUATION WHEN YOU STARTED OUT? AM I CRAZY TO GET INVOLVED AT AGE 40? HOW HARD IS THE ROAD TEST? ETC...
ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR READING,
HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON,
TCAT8324

Welcome and NO you aren't too old! I'm 48 and just obtained my CDL last week. Some say NOT driving a manual transmission in a car is an advantage because you don't have to UNLEARN then Re-learn.

Check out the New Drivers Forum and the Trucking School Forum there is tons of info in both of them. It would also help to know what part of the Country you're from.

Good Luck!

Rebel

Re: QUESTIONS FROM AN ALMOST NEWBIE
 

I wouldn't worry about never driving standard before. There are some things that would help you understand it better if you drove a standard car but more than likely you can grasp them with adequate teaching in the class room. Once you understand how it works it is easier to pick up. The One problem that I am having (i am going through training now) is getting over all my bad habits that I picked up while driving standard vehicles. The clutch system is different. and I am having a hell of a time keeping two hands on the wheel. I am so used to leaving one on the shifter. Pluss I am used to doing neutral stops which you arn't allowed to do on your road test. Now once I get my CDL and I am on the road I can get away with some of those things but for now I have to drive every time like I am taking to test so I do it right when the day comes.
It seems to me that the students that haven't driven standard before struggle the first few times out but after that they do better than the people that have experience in 4 wheelers because they don't have the bad habits.
I am 28 but I would say the class average for age is around 45

I have seen many older people get into trucking after having one or more careers in other unrelated areas. One great thing about this profession is that you can continue to work as long as you can pass the DOT physical. Age can actually be an asset since you are usually more settled.

Most people drove stick or straight shift cars when I started driving. Many had automatics, but most could drive a straight shift. Today most cars are automatic. As long as you are willing to put forth the effort, you should be able to learn to shift an 18 wheeler. Shifting is different than in a 4 wheeler (car), so having experience shifting may or may not be a hindrance. Anyone can learn to shift.

My question is more about after you get the CDL. Driving a truck is different than most other professions. I think many people get into this business with false expectations. When their expectations are not met, then they get discouraged and leave. This industry has a very high turnover rate. I believe the last figures I recall is 136% per year. This is a very demanding business. Some people are not prepared for the realities with which they must deal. You will likely be away from home from 2-3 weeks at a time with most companies. If a new driver hasn't been accustomed to being away from his family it can be quite an adjustment. Home time seems to be 1 day home for each week out. There are a few carriers who can get you home weekly, but it may only be for a day. Starting out you should be prepared to stay out for several weeks at a time. You will probably start with a trainer for at least a few weeks and could be with them for several months before getting into your own truck. Passengers and pets are not allowed by most companies. There are companies who will allow passengers to go with them after about a year. Some of us like the solitude of driving otr, others don't so as well. If you don't enjoy your own company then you will likely not like this profession.

Due to the nature of this business, you can't count on taking a bath or doing other personal things at the same time each day. Some days you may find it difficult to even grab a bath due to your delivery schedule. You may need to wait for several hours to get a shower. Coming into this profession will be a major lifestyle change. I believe getting accustomed to the lifestyle will be more of a challenge than learning how to use a clutch. I am not saying this to discourage you. I started in this business around 1970. I have seen many changes over the last 30 years or so. Back then, most people who drove seemed to stay with the profession. Today you see people coming from a wide range of careers. Many have had successful careers in totally unrelated professions and have decided to make the change in their 40's, 50's or 60's. As long as you understand the dramatic lifestyle change you are about to make, you can do well.