How do I get 12-24 months experience if no one will hire me without it? Had CDL since 1985 drove until 19 Mar 1991 departed that day for the Army spent 10 years 6 months active duty and have spent the rest following my active duty wife all over the planet. I have maintained this said cdl up to present day, no points or accidents felonies or drugs ever except one ticket from sheriff in Sulfur La back in 1995.

I am thinking about going O/O I have the money to buy truck & trailer without payments. What are you fellow posters advise, I can’t see paying someone to teach me something I already know how to do.


Thanks for any advise.

Well thanks for serving and protecting us

Unfortunately your time from trucking makes you a newby, not by my standards, but by theirs (industry), actually they don't want any "holes" (non trucking stuff) in your resume' they consider a 6 month absence a great big NO-NO.

You could get your own authority, but most of the major carriers will want you to meet the same criteria as their other drivers if you decide to lease on with someone. You may check with smaller carriers. Some are a little more flexible than the big carriers. Before buying a truck I would suggest you do a little more investigation as to what you want to do and where you may want to work. You might be able to go with one of the training carriers to get some recent experience. Once you have 6 to 12 months experience you should find it much easier to get to where you want to go.

Another option I’ve known folks in your situation to take is to go to a CDL school for a three day to one week refresher course. After that, most of the big training companies would take you as a trainee. I know it would suck starting over, but the refresher courses are fairly inexpensive, or so I’ve heard.

+1 refresher course... that gives you the minimum they need to get you going.
Your not a typical trainee...so I'm sure you'll do well.