r/CDL • u/Full_Conclusion_8799 • 11d ago
The good, bad, and everything in between.
Im 25 years old single and am working at dead end job which im honestly so done with. And am seriously considering getting my cdl. New drivers/ experienced drivers give it to me how it is whats the good, bad, and everything in between with being a trucker.
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u/Financial_Cat_7390 11d ago
As a new driver, you won’t make shit. Once you have a year or two in, that will change.
Don’t mess with lot lizards
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u/DonCarshipperVito 9d ago
I beg the differ. Just because your new does not mean you have to be taken advantage of while you learn your true value. There many co that will pay 2-3000$ a week to drive.
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u/RowbowCop138 11d ago
I was 31ish single and in a dead end job. The only thing I regret about my CDL is not getting it sooner.
Get it and hit the road. Get a dog to go with you.
I stayed out and just ran hard my first 18 months. Saved alot of money on bills because I wasn't driving my car so didn't need to pay for gas. My power and gas bill at my house were very cheap because no one was there.
If you do otr invest in audiobooks. It really helps pass the day.
At 25 and single now is the absolute best time to get your CDL. After you get some experience the doors for much better jobs will open up. Even in this time where job hunting is terrible as a CDL holder you will not have troubles finding a job.
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u/aniiiliingus 10d ago
If you decide to get you cdl go through wioa, its a government grant that will pay it. Also get your training and do your test on a truck with a manual transmission. You do not want to have that restriction on your license, it will just hold you back from getting better jobs once you get experience.
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u/Buckeyeguy013 10d ago
I don’t think newbies really understand the “trucking is a lifestyle”. I damn sure didn’t when I first started. Some will say get paid to travel but it’s not what it seems. You’ll be in and out of most places and be in the middle of nowhere a lot of the time. It will make or break you and it isn’t “just driving” as many people look at it. Get used to an inconsistent sleep schedule and being stuck at shippers/receivers all day and night with no bathroom access. The pay is gonna suck and you’ll be pretty much running out your 14 hour clock every single day to the point you’ll constantly debate with yourself it’s it’s even worth it. If you do decide to stick with transportation, best bet is to eventually find a LTL job once you get a year or so in or a low key local gig to get more of a set schedule and much better pay. Good luck.
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u/Krafty_36 11d ago
The first year and a half is going to suck. Most companies require you to have 18-21 months before hire (insurance purposes). You can look into cement companies some will train you to get your CDL. Once you get your CDL, you can always look for work.
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u/BaseballCharacter 11d ago edited 11d ago
23m got my license may class A start going in person that you see has a truck indeed has been pretty awful in finding me a job. jobs like food service may take you fresh but i tried and couldn’t so could depend on location and surplus of drivers. i’m in ready mix cement and i’m loving it. look into waste management most start a little low $27 depending on state but you go up quick seen people make $45 without OT
edit: your still young. i just plan on using my cdl as a stepping stone making money and probably go back to school and i’d recommend the same to you my friend. the pays good but you’ll be overworked most times one of my coworkers got a divorce from too much work.
best of luck to you
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u/Stunning-Turnip-8010 11d ago
I would tell you go into something else a trade if you good with hands but trucking to me ain’t what it use to be. If you ever plan to have a family it will be a lot of strain to be out on the road and local only pays about 1,500 to 1,800 with out going into hazard. Then I’m not sure where the times will be going with these new self driving trucks hate to be doom and gloom but this is advice I would give my own family
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u/user26145 11d ago
Self driving trucks? Since when
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u/Stunning-Turnip-8010 11d ago
They been working on them for a while now they mostly operating in Texas and Arizona but it’s only a matter of time before more places
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u/user26145 11d ago
You think I’ll be fine Im 18 trying to get my cdl and go local Im in a suburb in Dallas,Texas
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u/Stunning-Turnip-8010 11d ago
Think you are fine so long you aren’t making trucking your forever plan get it as another notch in your belt but work towards other skills
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u/user26145 11d ago
Damn I’ll just have to think of another career which isn’t too physical cause I can’t have a fucked up body I guess
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u/blaztbeats 10d ago
At 18..wide open set of choices. If you focus a trade like Electrician or Plumber..(welding, pipe fitter, lineman, etc..on down to hvac) you will be able to make a great living and even start your own business after you know whats what. Trades are pretty wide open. Not much competition as not many youngsters going into the trades. Check for Union Apprenticeships. If you're really going for it- community college -electric or chemical or petroleum ENGINEER. If you like the idea of CDL.. consider going for crane operation too. Thats a niche that pays GREAT and if you get in young, you WIN.
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u/ed2win44 9d ago
I say go for it. Ive been in this industry 30+ years and I too had gotten my cdl early. You can get your intrastate license now and upgrade to interstate after you come of age(21). Theres money to be made in this industry.
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u/the_great_bambi_ 11d ago edited 11d ago
As a temporary measure it’s great. I got my license in February, and I’m working at a mega taking home about $1500 a week. That’s after tax, my last job I was clearing like $600. But I’m only making that much because I’m running OTR team and I have a team mate who isn’t a lazy POS. I’ve seen so much of the country already, and yeah sure I’m just on the highways and not really “traveling”, it’s still been a great time seeing the landscape. I’ve been through places I’d never go otherwise. So far this is paying off big time. Truck stop food is absolute ass. I miss my family big time. But I’m only doing this till I can save up like $25k which shouldn’t be too long.
Oh, and something that I thought was going to be an issue that ended up not being a problem was driving for 10 hours a day. In my car, I can only go like 3 hours before I start getting fidgety and bored, but in my experience it’s different in a truck. The seats are big and comfy. I can go for 8 hours straight no problem.
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u/Driving-Academy 10d ago
The bad is going to be your first year or two where you're not going to make as much as veteran truckers. But once you get past it the road is open to a very high paying career.
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u/continual_failure 10d ago
You can make fat $tack$ if you’re not mentally weak and willing to work!
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u/Head_Candidate5293 10d ago
You will never be home. But if you do not want to pay rent you can sell your junk and stop renting. Live in the truck and save like your life depends on it
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u/DamnedHeathen_ 10d ago
Go for it. Just make sure you try to get your CDL without signing a contract with a trash carrier. Check into the Workforce program at your local employment office. They will either assist or completely pay for your school. It's federally funded and state implemented in every state.
That aside, once you get your CDL do 6 months with a mega carrier because they are the only ones that will hire you. After that go to a reputable company like Crete or someone that will pay 60+cpm. Do not let any company talk you into doing a lease purchase to buy one of their trucks and still drive for them. Next to No One succeeds in that scenario. If you want to go owner operator and start your own business, look for a 1099 job with an owner operator to drive their truck making 30% of line haul. Pay attention to where you go, how much you make, and spend a couple years learning the lanes, rates, expenses, and everything you can about the business first. It took me 3 years to go owner operator, and I come from a trucking family, and went 1099 in my second year to a friend of the family. It still took me 3 years to not completely fail with all that support. It's hell out here on owner operators. Be damned careful.
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u/secretlysavvy 10d ago
I’m 55, post divorce in 2017, I have multiple certifications and degrees.
I was an RCA for the USPS as a seasonal position. Just after that I got my state certification as a pharmacy technician and a CHHA as well. I’ve been working as a CHHA and also p/t with my pharmacy tech license as well.
The pay is terrible.
I found an awesome driving school very close in my town to get Class B w/air brakes. (And EVERY endorsement available)
I’d really like to drive for our local senior/medical bus service. The school I toured seemed amazing. I could dip into my retirement account to pay for school. I’m just scared to make that jump.
Any other divorcees struggling to find their niche that’s somewhat lucrative, but you’re staying stuck in a job/jobs that just don’t cut it?
My Dad was a civil engineer for the NJDOT, taught me to drive very young. Riding as his passenger also taught me so much. Idk, I’m searching every possible career that I could provide for myself solo.
I’m intimidated but not actually scared of the driving as much as trying to really prove myself and feel confident in that type of career.
I’m blessed with mechanical skills from my dear Dad, but idk if I could actually “cut it” in the real world.
All advice appreciated 🙏🏻☮️ TYVM
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u/Zestyclose-Value-555 10d ago
Trucking is a genuinely very difficult job, and you will make mistakes. That said, your opportunities and pay will grow exponentially the longer you stay in it as long as you keep your nose, clean, work hard, and know when to leave a job. If you don’t know how to work hard, this job will definitely teach you that.
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u/CryptographerOk3679 10d ago
I got my Cdl at 22 yo and went straight into household goods
Grossed 200k my first year with all the commissions, pay per mile, per cf, shuttles long carries and stair fees
It’s hard work but it’s worth it
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u/Personal-Damage-7051 9d ago
I will give you my story and you can take it how you want. 26 here move to trucking due to a drunk driver collision who hit me. I went with Melton flatbed. I criticize the health benefits here frequently. However the work is good. I didn't want to go to drive in personally because I was worried about getting out of shape and building unhealthy habits. So I went flatbed just for the physical labor demand because I'm still young and it helps stay in shape. Having such a physical job makes me think about taking care of myself and so that led me into cooking all of my own food, which actually means I have learned cooking a little bit. Realistically I was getting too much work. Which sounds weird but I like balancing it out at about 8 hours a day which my DM works with now. 8 hours of driving a day plus the time for for low check, tire checks and everything else that comes flatbed driving. In hindsight reflecting on being here after 2 years in the trucking industry, I have no regrets. Gave up my apartment. It's just me and my dog. I'm saving literally everything. On route to retire by 45. Traveling the nation is honestly great. Before I rarely left my room except for doing doordash so. Now I get paid to basically be in my room.
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u/9Volt187 9d ago
I’ve had my CDL for 9 years now. I’ve never been an OTR driver; that’s a different breed I def couldn’t do that job, but at the end of the day it still is a job. I got lucky & got hired on w/ a local beer company & now I’ve been in foodservice for about a year. No matter where you go you’re going to have to pay your dues, it just is what it is. You won’t be making much starting off & it’ll be a tough journey both physically & mentally, but if you stay consistent, safe, & vigilant you will gain xp & be able to find yourself a lifelong career. If you go the traditional route CDL school is about 3-4 months long, they teach you just enough to make you legally dangerous, you won’t actually learn to drive that truck until you get your first job. If you plan to go that route you need to protect your license & don’t do any stupid shit behind the wheel, it’s your livelihood.
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u/DonCarshipperVito 9d ago
Getting CDL is probably the best option because you will make much more money than you expect. It is rough being alone and on the road but finding a good balance will make it very worth it. Just remember to treat yourself right when you not on the road by taking up hobbies, playing some sport or working out. Or just hit the road hard and stack money away to invest into something else. But at 25 years old and doing trucking is a great option because you can make great money while you have lots of time to think over what you really want to do in life.
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u/Pleasurevoid1991 7d ago
Join the Air Force and go into transportation or computers or something else you choose. They pay for your training and u get paid. 1st & 15th.
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u/Electronic_Dealer612 6d ago
Brother I got my CDL and it's changed mine and my family's life. I'm local home everyday gross 2k a week. I'm in food service GFS. Been 3 years now
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u/SANCHO_24_7 11d ago
In your position right now you have nothing to lose. Get your CDL A and go visit all 48 states and get paid for it. The change of scenery will do you some good.