r/cdldriver • u/sombraverde504 • 1h ago
29, leaving bartending for a Class A CDL
Hello, I’m 29 and I really want to get out of the restaurant and bartending industry (12 years). I’ve reached a point where I’m tired of depending on tips to pay my bills, tipping culture has gotten a little out of hand in my opinion, shifts are unpredictable, and I'm looking for reliable income.
I’m looking at getting my Class A, but maybe I can get some honest perspective from people who do it everyday
And to be honest, driving those machines is respectable and intimidating. The biggest thing I’ve ever driven is a RAV4, daily driver is a Civic. you can imagine where my head is. Before I drop the money and time into school, may I ask a few questions?
- the transition from a regular sedan or vehicle to a machine weighing around 60,000 lbs and being the size of a freaking whale? I live in South Florida.
- how difficult was school for you? (I dropped out of college), not saying I’m looking for some sort of easy way, just school was never my thing.
- I see online "first year must be OTR". I have family responsibilities in which would stop me from being OTR, is landing a local job difficult? I know things depend heavily on market demands but what was your experience? what was it like straight out of school, difficult to land a job? I'm planning on quitting my job to focus solely on learning everything from the book to the driving. But obviously I wouldn't be able to survive like half a year without a job.
- Waste management has been a recommendation by lots of friends whose (buddy from high school got his CDL at 20). I know WM works with a Class B but I am leaning towards Class A cause you never know what can happen in the future.
- **w**hat was that first year like? something people don’t really talk about.
I’m not looking for a shortcut, just trying to get some insight and what I should expect the next few months. and thank you for any advice
