Good point about taking a DOT physical first. My hearing is not as good as it used to be. I have trouble with conversations.

[papawalt97]

I am considering getting licensed and start trucking.
I turned 60 in November of 2018.
I am in great health. Not overweight.
I live in NW Ohio.
Just wondering where I should start.
Thank you in advance.

 

[ironpony]

I am considering getting licensed and start trucking.
I turned 60 in November of 2018.
I am in great health. Not overweight.
I live in NW Ohio.
Just wondering where I should start.
Thank you in advance.

Get your CDL through a driving school, and start looking for a driving job. Reputable schools will have you send out "pre-hire" letters to ensure that there is interest by entry level carriers in employing you before they take your money. There are plenty of carriers out there looking for good, dependable drivers.

 

[tommyh]

local if possible is my sugesstion

 

[Ontario Outlaw]

Trucking in Ohio sucks

Welcome and good luck!

 

[mndriver]

I'd start with going in for a Dot physical.


If you can't pass that, it's a moot point.

 

[ironpony]

I'd start with going in for a Dot physical.


If you can't pass that, it's a moot point.

That's required before you can sign with a school... got to be able to get that CDL permit.

 

[r3gulator3]

I met a guy at an aluminum warehouse in Buffalo NY 62 doing the same man. Go to driving school and get your CDL as others said. Good luck!

 

[Mike]

I am considering getting licensed and start trucking.
I turned 60 in November of 2018.
I am in great health. Not overweight.
I live in NW Ohio.
Just wondering where I should start.
Thank you in advance.

You will have no issues since your health is good.

Don't get roped into a lease purchase, but if you have good credit, don't be afraid of getting your own truck if you end up liking the industry.

Are you wanting to pull a dry van? Reefer? Flatbed?

 

[r3gulator3]

dry van? Reefer? Flatbed

Biased? First why is dry van first? What about tanker, logger, wood chipper, cans, ect? So many options.

 

[Mike]

Biased? First why is dry van first? What about tanker, logger, wood chipper, cans, ect? So many options.

Logger? Those guys are worse that flatbedders. Much worse.

 

[Mike]

One quick word of advice.

You said you are in good health. Don't let this career decision be what kills you. If you choose this path, make a habit of eating healthy and exercising regularly from the very beginning. Riding in a truck all day, every day, can kill you if you aren't disciplined with your health.

 

[GAnthony]

Biased? First why is dry van first? What about tanker, logger, wood chipper, cans, ect? So many options.

he is not biased, he was alphabetically speaking, D (dry van) comes before F (flatbedder)

he simply had a brain fart, putting reefer in there.....

 

[Electric Chicken]

alphabetically speaking, D (dry van) comes before F (flatbedder)

he simply had a brain fart, putting reefer in there.....

He drfed.

 

[mndriver]

That's required before you can sign with a school... got to be able to get that CDL permit.

And he can get a permit before even signing with a school.

You get the booklet from your state, you study it and go in for the written test.


No school needed.

 

[ironpony]

No school needed

In most cases, you can mark that as no job needed too. New CDL holder, no formal training, no experience - that's a massive insurance risk.

 

[mndriver]

No school is needed to get your permit. My God.


You can get your Dot physical, go down and study and take your written test.

Show up at a school already ahead of the curve ball.

Once a person has a CDL, the only thing insurance companies ask is, " do they have 24 months experience?".

Mega carriers who are self-insured are another risk consideration all on their own. They pretty much do as they please.


You MIGHT get credit for three months of experience IF you have an accredited school. MIGHT.


But what do I know. I just have to have drivers vetted by my insurance company.

 

[ironpony]

You can get your Dot physical, go down and study and take your written test.

You can't get in a school without having your physical.

 

[papawalt97]

I appreciate all of the great advice.
I am also wondering if I can make decent money to start. I will be retired with what part of my pension the ex isn't getting haha.

 

[mndriver]

Expect to make between 40 and 50 cents per mile and driving 120 to 140000 miles a year for entry-level

 

[Electric Chicken]

Expect to make between 40 and 50 cents per mile and driving 120 to 140000 miles a year for entry-level

60-70k is entry level these days?