10 years experience but haven't driven or worked in 3 years

by Mellody Lawson
(Phoenix , Arizona )

I am a former Line Haul Truck Driver with 10 years overall driving experience. Shortly after the pandemic hit I took 3 years off to care for sickly elderly parents because I am the only daughter they have who isn't married with a family.


After fulfilling my obligations to my family I wanted to go back to work. But because I have been doing gig work for the last 3 years and was fired from my last trucking job for a minor non dot related violation no trucking company will even look at me let alone hire me.

I am even willing to retrain, take a refresher, or start out at a starter salary. I just need work experience.

If someone can please throw me a life line it would be much appreciated.

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Aug 17, 2023
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Refresher Courses for Truckers With No Recent Experience
by: The Crazy Trucker

Hi Mellody, check with your local community college for refresher courses.

Southwest Truck Driver school also used to have refresher course.

If there is an Averitt Trucking Co Terminal there they used to offer refresher courses as well.

Don't know if Knight still offers it since Swift bought them out. But check.

Best of luck. Good on your for stepping up and taking care of family. Make sure to let the companies know that's why you stopped driving.

A good company should recognize that as a very positive attribute. Shows loyalty, maturity, responsibility so don't just gloss over that and say personal reasons when filling in the gap for your gig work.

And when listing your skills/experience the personal development and things you learn as a gig worker are also valuable.

You had to be prompt, organized, self assured, confident, manage your time, communicate effectively, etc.

Point these things out when applying to trucking companies and refresher courses.

You might have to start all over. But if you check with workforce, you might be able to get your CDL training for free if you are not currently employed.

Best of luck. Keep us posted how things turn out.

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