This.Honestly if he wants to get a CDL and doesn't want to pay for school, about the only way is to get with a big carrier like Swift, JB Hunt, Schneider etc. They offer training to get a CDL. But then he'll usually need to stay there a certain amount of time.
There may be local companies that do the same but that means lots of legwork. There is still a driver (supposed) shortage and every company is looking to add drivers.
Out of curiosity, what does he do now?
If I had to guess - IT.
3 years ago I was looking for a job. I seriously considered driving a truck but saw the very obstacles mentioned above -- pay for school or find a carrier that is willing to take a chance on you. You won't get a recruiter to admit it but I think age impacts one's chances.
In the meantime I found a job that was related to what I have been doing for 30 years, with no 'On Call' duties.
Why on gods earth would you want to start driving a truck at 54 years old.
My brother is about 54 and looking to get a CDL. He’s in Grant Park, IL, just W. of Lowell.
Anyone have an idea as to how to go about getting one? He mentioned the training and testing is like ~$3000. He doesn’t have a truck.
Any ideas would be appreciated
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This.
Im not sure if being 54 will be an obstacle or not, but I had a friend who did exactly as BT said a few years back. They required him to stay with the company for a so many years, but it was worth it for them to train him and get his CDL so they’re guaranteed a driver for so many years. I don’t know anything about the trucking industry, BT is obviously the go to for that kinda advice, but I assume it’s a lot like any industry when it comes to weighing the benefit of training vs hiring skilled, and age usually plays some factor in that.
Out of curiosity, what does he do now?
If I had to guess - IT.
He works for a food prep company that supplies Sam’s and Walmart. He’s driven forklift in the past, but there aren’t a lot of jobs out by him
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I did just remember one of the more interesting side hacks for obtaining a CDL. Places like Home Depot don't usually have dedicated truck drivers, but still need a guy to deliver the bigger orders on the flatbed with the forklift. When I worked for them back in college, they paid a guy in the lumber department to go get his and they let him use their truck for his test. He had an ultra cushy gig after that. 100% local runs, practically brand new leased truck that he could pretty much anything he wanted with, almost never had to deal with loading docks or freight depots, etc. Load up the skid of drywall, drive it across town, unload the skid of drywall. Wash, rinse, repeat. He probably wasn't pulling down huge bank, but he slept in his own bed every night and was still documenting professional driving miles.
Anyhow... Worth a shot?
I got my CDL in 1999 and drive full time untill 2012 then transitioned to part time management and driving split. I now manage a company in Indy including helping with recruiting. One thing I will say about driving jobs in Indy is drivers are needed badly. I am hiring drivers from southern Kentucky at this point. With that said if someone fills out an application and went to Schnider, Swift, Celedon, Etc driving school and has not had at least 1 year at another company I won't even look at them.
The training at those large companies is a joke at best. They show you (not teach) just enough to get a license then send you out with a trainer for 3-4 weeks. It takes longer than that to know what you are doing. The Large company schools also make you sign a contract that if they train you then you must stay with them for a full year or have to repay the full tuition price back to them. With them having you in their pocket and knowing you more than likely will be leaving after contract they will abuse you to no end. They will keep you from home for 2-3 months at a time. Not give you any real miles and pay you 15-20 cents less a mile than a real company. Saving the 3-4000 ends up costing you way more than that. Go to a big truck stop around you and talk to drivers with the uniforms from those carriers and see what they have to say about it.
My advise is go to a good school that does actual training and not just here is how to get your CDL. In Indiana the best two are IvyTech and Vincennes driving schools. They are a longer course but drivers know what they are doing when you come out of there. and being actual schools you can qualify for grants, loans, etc. At 10 extra cents a mile the average driver will earn an extra $10k a year and be much more hireable. I start my solo drivers at $.55 and my team drivers at $.63 a mile to start with the drivers averaging 120,000 miles a year, and they are home at least every other night. You do the math. My top guys are earning upwards of $95k a year. I don't care how old you are if you got the skills to be a good driver you can find a job.
One more piece of advice, do everything you can to protect you license. No speeding tickets or moving violations of any kind including seatbelts (they are now considered a moving violation on a CDL). The better insurance companies won't let you be hired if you have 2 or more moving violations in the last 36 months. That includes in your personal vehicle. It shows you are a risk. If you have any other questions feel free to PM me.
That works be brilliant. He’s the kind of guy where I’d do the leg work.
It sounds like the lumber guy fell into that deal, but it can’t hurt to ask. Thanks for the help
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