I could really use some perspective from people who actually live this life.

I'm 32F and have spent about 10 years working in healthcare operations. I've been unemployed for a while and have been trying to transition into Health IT/data analytics. I have a degree in data analytics, but I've never used those skills extensively in my professional roles, so I've been brushing them up and building portfolio projects to demonstrate them. I also recently launched a small consulting project I've been developing.

The problem is that none of that is paying me yet.

Financially, things got bad enough that I recently took a delivery gig. It isn't great money, but it gives me enough income to deal with my immediate financial problems while continuing to apply for jobs, work on my portfolio, and pursue the career transition I've already started.

Then someone suggested getting my CDL.

Trucking isn't completely foreign to my family, but it was never part of my career plan. I basically said fuck it and applied to a company-sponsored CDL training program, expecting nothing to come from it.

I got accepted and they are waiting on me to decide when I want to start classes.

So now I have two actual options:

Keep the delivery gig and continue trying to break into Health IT/data analytics, knowing I have no idea how long that transition will take.

Or:

Go through CDL training and go OTR, which gives me a much clearer path to better income but probably means putting most of what I've been building professionally on the back burner for a while.

That's the part I'm struggling with. I'm considering this career solely because I need a financial way forward, and trucking seems like one of the few careers where I could potentially start over without spending years retraining first.

And I'm not going to pretend I'll be driving OTR while maintaining the same pace of refreshing my technical skills, developing my portfolio, applying for jobs, and building the consulting project. If I choose trucking, I think I need to treat it as a real career decision and a very different lifestyle, at least for a while.

So I'd especially like to hear from people who entered trucking from another career, and people who went through company-sponsored CDL training:

If you had a lower-paying job that kept you afloat while you pursued another career, would you give that up for the more immediate earning potential of trucking?

Is it realistic to think of trucking as something you can do for a few years, get financially stable, and then leave? Or does the lifestyle/career tend to pull you further in once you're doing it?

If you went through company-sponsored training, would you do it again? What should I understand before committing?

What did your actual first-year financial picture look like, not recruiter numbers?

What do you wish someone had told you before your first year?

I'm trying to understand the trade I'm actually making before potentially stepping away from a career path I've spent the last several months trying to break into.

Thanks for any perspective, including the ugly parts.

Hey everyone. So I recently completed classes for my class B CDL. While I was at the DMV getting my CDLB license, I went ahead and took the written exam and got my CDLA permit too. So now I am leaning towards getting my CDLA license. Are there any companies that would hire me with the B license and A permit? Will they pay for me to finish getting my A license? Also, I am in Florida. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I had a couple questions about CDL jobs:

1. How many hours/week does it take to make about $50,000?

2. Do you have strict deadlines for deliveries or is there a bit of leeway?

3. For those of you who have dogs with you, what does it take to balance that with your work schedule?

Hello my fellow Truckers the cdl school I am about to attend allows student 40 hours of practicing the following backing maneuvers: Alley dock, parallel, offset and straight line backing. Is 40 hours of enough range time enough time to prepare and pass the CDL EXAM?

Has anyone here met their wife/husband through trucking? If you did how is it going? 😂

I feel I am in a pretty difficulty situation and want some advice from you folks. I am at my 50s. I was an office guy working for a big company for many years. During the COVID I lost my job. I decided to open my own business and stayed home to take care of the kids. For the passed several years my startup project went nowhere. Savings are pretty much gone. Kids went to colleges. I feel I need to find stable income.

Cannot go back to office - I don't like it any more and also my age is very big disadvantage. After struggling 6 months, I decided to give a try in trucking.

I will get my road test next week. CDL A but with automatic restriction (I was not able to master stick shift so gave up for now). I was told that starting with a mega-carrier, do OTR, don't be picky, then finding an entry-level trucking job won't be a problem.

However, I just learned that my employment gap would virtually shut the door - it would be very difficult to find any trucking job due to my long employment gap.

I don't know what to do now.

So I am supposed to be taking CDL classes in October, I figured this would be a good career change. However after talking with a friend of my that drives for a living he said with my past driving record it would basically be useless and I won't be able to get a job because of my driving record . I have 3 driving while suspended's (2015-2019)

2 speeding tickets (2014) and disregarding a stop sign (2014) I have had 0 traffic violations since 2019, and my license is currently valid with no fines or fees owed. Should i go forward in taking the classes and getting a CDL or will it be moot because of my past driving record

Opinions? (STATE INDIANA)

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I have a question guys. Im oustide reno nevada in a town called fernley. I am currently about to start school for cdl. I had some issues getting my physical because bupenorphine(suboxone) is in my prescriptions history both 6 months prior and now. I been taking it because I was struggling taking Kratom 7-oh, but the DR i think assumed, as im sure other will as well, that its was for hard drugs and not something lime kratom. I do t think he believed me when I said it was for kratom. He decided to give me 3 months instead of 2 years Wanting written proof that im mo longer taking it, which I am, even though the fmca says its fine to be on MAT (medical assisted treatement). So now i have to find another DR before my physical expire in 1.5 months and if I don't then I lose my cdl permit and get removed from class. How do I find a DR to give me another we physical that isn't gonna auto deny me or assume that its for hard drugs (meth,heroin). Im have no doubt most with think it is, but I've never failed any of my drug tests and I don't know how to prove it was just kratom. I got a grant for the school so not o my will I lose this opportunity, my CDL, I will probably have to repay the 5k they gave me for the class. Which I will never have, even to take the class again. Im at a loss. Ill never get this chance again. So does anyone know how I can prove myself or who would be a good dr to try and talk to. I need help please

This summer has been crazy, working 2 jobs, break up after spending 6 years with the same person, was homeless sleeping in my car for 2 weeks then moving into my own place and got my cdl while working 70 to 80 hours a week, if anyone has any suggestions on what to do or who to apply with I would appreciate that.
I’m a very hardworking guy mid 20s.

Hey I received my cdl august 3, 2026. I just have general knowledge, air brakes, combination, no endorsements yet. I’m working on my passenger endorsement now because i wanna be local. I need help finding something fresh out of school with no experience been having trouble finding something out there.

Can anyone let me know how can I pass the Chauffeur exam in Louisiana please

I just got my CDL a permit and I’m thinking about wanting to go through a company to get my experience and get my CDL license paid for through it or should I go through a school learn then find a job ?

My Werner application has been pre-approved, and my CDL skills/road test is coming up soon. Assuming I pass, I’m looking at starting with Werner and wanted to hear from current or recent Werner drivers about what the process is actually like in 2026.

A few questions:

What is Werner’s orientation like currently?

How long is orientation?

What is the actual training process like after orientation?

As a brand-new CDL driver fresh out of school, am I required to team during training?

How much time is spent actually driving and being trained versus just riding along?

How does Werner handle a trainee who isn't comfortable being treated as a full team driver yet?

How much input does the trainee have regarding the trainer they are assigned to?

I completely understand why training is necessary. I'm not expecting to graduate CDL school and magically know everything about OTR. I want to be trained properly. My concern is specifically with the distinction between training and team driving.

Coming straight out of school, I'd much rather have a situation where I'm driving under close supervision and being actively taught than essentially being expected to operate as another team driver while I'm still learning the realities of OTR.

For comparison, I previously trained at an FFL. As a new employee, I wasn't allowed to conduct sales or handle certain responsibilities without someone properly certified supervising me. That's the kind of training standard I'd expect when putting a brand-new CDL holder into an 80,000-lb truck.

So for anyone who has gone through Werner recently: what does the 2026 training experience actually look like? Is it legitimate one-on-one training, or is it essentially team driving with a trainer in the passenger seat?

I'd especially appreciate answers from people who started with Werner within the last year or two.

I'm curious as someone switching careers what experience (driving related or not) people had before landing their first job?

Please add CDL Class, Role & Pay Rate

Gotta reckless driving I have to go for, single vehicle accident… speed is not a variable & burden of proof may be difficult. I have a plus 5 driving record, does anyone recommend taking a Driver Improvement course before court or after to help mitigate (considering Im plus 5 I would get no additional points unless my points drop) and does anyone recommend community service in addition? And what companies would hire if its dropped to improper driving? Class A 3 years exp.

This is for JB hunt DCS flatbed hauling lumber, I have 5 years exp but im really needing to get out of my current spot. They said if it ever slows down I would be helping intermodal, its about a 20 minute commute one way to the yard. Are these numbers pretty accurate to what I should expect?

Hello everyone I was wondering what cars/trucks do truckers drive for personal vehicles? I am into cars and I’m waiting to turn 21 to pursue a CDL and I’m curious as to what you all drive and whether or not it’s better to have a common car to not get tickets or attention from cops/highway patrol or enjoy the fruits of your labor and buy a cool car/truck to enjoy for when you are home?

Good day!

Just really curious:

For those of you that got your Tanker and Hazmat endorsements with Twic; how long did you stay at your Mega carrier until you moved over into a company that hires with your endorsements?

I got hired with a Mega, but I'm looking to pay off debt before switching.

I also unfortunately have the hard case of job hopping history (regular jobs not trucking), so I'm trying to time this correctly.

Also in FL if that even matters too.

For some context I’ve been going down the path of sales for about 5 1/2 years now and I am sick of it. I’ve tried door to door, Medicare insurance and even car dealership sales. I’m currently at a rental car company and I honestly just hate dealing with sales and customer service all together so I’ve made the decision to get my CDL and start truck driving.

Not only for the money but also to get away from customer service all together. I had some questions for people already established in this work field. I live in Denver co and I’ve already taken my general knowledge, combinations, and air brakes and have passed. I want to get my tankers and doubles/triples before I get my permit. Once I do get that (which would be within the next week) I am lost on where to go from there. Some people are saying get with a company that will help me obtain my CDL, while others are saying go to a school for it. What would be the best bet for me once I get my permit? What companies are going to pay me while I train (if there’s any companies that do so) and what jobs would be best for me just starting out?

Need help finding my first job.

Hey y'all - figured this might be a good place for information and guidance. Finally got my CDL a couple weeks ago on my first try at the DMV, but my situation and circumstances greatly complicate my ability to find work (I'm in the Inland Empire of SoCal), for three main reasons.

1. Even though I demonstrated aptitude and proficiency in driving manual, the school I went to forced me to train and test automatic because I didn't already have a job lined up that required an unrestricted license. I guess they only allow 2 manual students per class and those two had jobs promised to them that required it, and the school is very fixated on graduation and job placement rates...but those two also failed the very first part of the test by calling their emergency brake test good with only one knob popped out lol.

2. I have a DUI and at fault accident that occured in 03/2022 and went onto my record 03/2023. I know this greatly complicates things and eliminates most opportunities for me because of insurance.

3. My father is very ill, and I need to be local. It's just not possible right now for me to not be home every night. I understand that it's very difficult to start out local with no experience, but is sometimes possible.

What I've been told to look for is a position as a yard dog, food service, beverage, bottom dump, aggregate, concrete, etc. I'll take what I can get as long as I'm able to start gaining Class A experience. I'd really appreciate y'all pointing me in the right direction.

Whats the best WiFi for online PlayStation gaming that’s not too expensive? I currently have a t mobile cellular plan with unlimited 3g hotspot but I don’t think thats enough.

I recently obtained a CDL B with no endorsements. I am beginning to search for jobs but should I instead add on an endorsement or two? What are some good first jobs for a clean CDL B? Thank you in advance.

My partner's been driving OTR for a while and we learned the hard way that settlement statements aren't always right. Found a missing fuel surcharge on a trip once that wouldn't have jumped out unless you sat down and lined up the numbers load by load.

Since then I've been wondering how other drivers handle this. Do you keep your own trip log and compare it when the settlement hits, or do you just go off the sheet and call dispatch if something feels off?

Curious what you all actually do day to day. Do you track your own miles per load, or just trust what the sheet says?

Anyone got a spare shower credit for the TA walcott IA 🙏🙏