Hello everyone. I drove for Swift a while back and still have my Class A CDL even though I haven't driven for a few years. I just wanted to get a general opinion here, how hard is it to get rehired or hired at a different company if you have your Class A but haven't driven for a few years? I know I would have to go through orientation, training with a trainer, etc again, but what about the hiring process? Would they pass someone like me up since I haven't been driving truck for a while? Thanks in advance.

 

How hard it is going to be is going to depend on specifics. How much experience do you have and how many years has it been.

If your experience level is at least 1 one and it has been in the last 3 years it won't be too hard assuming there are not any skeletons hiding in your closet.

Longer than that and/or potential trouble spots and you are going to have some extra hurdles to jump through and may very well here a lot about needing a refresher course.

 

I drove for a little more than eight years, then left trucking for about 3 1/2. Called a few companies...Swift and Schneider said if I had one year in the last five they'd give me a road test. I chose SNI...took the road test, passed it easily, and they brought me in as an experienced driver.

Called several other companies, and they required a refresher course.

 

Try Heartland Express. They have a refresher course that might intrest you.

 

What do these refresher courses you guys are referring to usually consist of? Do they assume you know nothing again or what? And I take it they are offered by most big companies?

By the way, I have 10 months experience and right now I have been away from trucking for about 2 years, but I'm not quite ready to return just yet.

 

With only 10 months experience and being away for 2 years, my guess is that you will be required to at least work with a trainer for a few weeks. Your best bet is to get on the phone and make some calls. There is a company listings on the top of this page. Most of the larger carriers are listed. I would check their requirements and give them a call. Each carrier makes their own rules.

 

You can try calling a local company, too. They tend to have lower requirements- at least that is my experience. The trucking companies around where I live would be very likely to give a guy the option of doing local pickups for their otr drivers. After a while they may let you do local runs. Then, if you don't smash anything up, they might put you on as a driver.

From talking to the owners of the trucking companies around where we live, they have no driver shortage right now. They expect to have more turnover once the economy takes an upward turn.