Is getting into trucking as a woman possible

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TaperingRanger9@reddit

I have female coworkers who do very well. But you can't be an interstate driver until you're 21 for some reason. So finding a local company to take an inexperienced 19 year old is gonna be very difficult for you.

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TaperingRanger9@reddit

Just randomly thought of an idea for you. Go get that CDL and drive box trucks or dump trucks for a couple years. You'll get more experience driving larger vehicles which will make you easier to hire once you hit 21. As far as I'm aware most box truck drivers work long hours like we do. So you'll be able to get an idea if this career is really right for you or not.

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PoopyStinkbutts@reddit

Yep I have a box truck opening right now, $27/hr class B 7:30-5pm, no experience required, just the license. I'm sure a lot of other LTL carriers do as well

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Dezzolve@reddit

Most companies wont hire anyone under 23 because of their insurance also.

It’s possible, just extremely difficult to find someone that will hire you earlier than that.

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Silent_Swan1630@reddit

It'll only be difficult depending on her state size and if she is less close to the border on her state.

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HatedReaper@reddit

I've seen as many women truckers as I have men. Then again im from the West Coast and only do the 11 western states.

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Spiritual_Target8899@reddit

Don’t. It’s for people who are bad socially etc, perfect for me lol. GO TO COLLEGE OR GET A TECHNICAL DIPLOMA. There are way better jobs, YOUR LIFE IS JUST BEGINNING

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Tiatake@reddit

I’m a female trucker who trains people to drive and pass their cdl driving tests during the slower months. You can do it!

Start off with farmers if you can as they can help you get driving experience without a license on private property. Or if you want to do school you could but it’s pretty expensive.

There’s companies that train new drivers but under 21 you’ll have to stay in state and it’s hard for companies to hire with restrictions if they have a choice.

There’s some companies that will train you within their private property as well and be able to get you a license as you get experience and reach that 21st yr. Just inquire about intrastate driving or staying on private land temporarily.

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kingsnow18@reddit

Look up on YouTube for happiness by the mile. Shelby loves trucking! It is 100% possible but you'll need to find a job that fits you.

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Megmiha@reddit

I love her videos, also look up Flow with Robin, she is a relatively new driver and is documenting her journey.

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Dry_Calendar@reddit (OP)

Thank will do 🫡

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Dry_Calendar@reddit (OP)

Thanks I’ve watched most of her videos and fell in love with the channel!

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AndromedanPrince@reddit

Impossible./s

I see lots of women in tanker and we even have a couple women hauling fuel with us. Seen a few flatbed ladies when i was otr. Do what u like but id wait till ur 21 so u can interstate travel.

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Dry_Calendar@reddit (OP)

I might have to wait till I’m 21 since I really want to haul fuel.

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Overall_Reputation83@reddit

absolutely possible. There's nothing about the job that a woman couldn't do. I'd probably stay away from flat bedding or dollar general accounts, but even that you can do if you don't mind a little physical labor. The bigger barrier for you is going to be getting hired under 21.

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Dry_Calendar@reddit (OP)

I actually really want to haul fuel but I believe it’s illegal in my state till I’m 21. I’ve been looking at a few companies and found Schindler but I want to do more research.

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Overall_Reputation83@reddit

You need to be 21 to cross state borders, and you cost more on insurance when you are younger, so its a lot harder to find work. I'm sure you can though if you really lock in and job applications that stay within state.

You could consider looking for yard jockey positions, that experience will set you up perfect for backing in an actual truck.

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I_DNT_HAVE_TIME_LEFT@reddit

apart from the driving part

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robexib@reddit

Driving doesn't require a cock and balls, last I checked.

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Crossrds@reddit

This might be something out of the ordinary. Join the notional guard or reserve force. 88M is a driver. You go get your military training, after you get to assignment talk to your CO and boom you have a CDL. You can work local, you will have tons of experience by the time you’re 21. Being a female in OTR is not easy, but I know a few that have 15-20 years on the road. One was my trainee.

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Dry_Calendar@reddit (OP)

I wish I would have done it out of highschool. Maybe this summer I can get back into shape and join in the fall. Thanks for the advice !

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Diamondangel82@reddit

Im a senior analyst in the oil and gas industry and run a quite a few lady truckers. I'd look the into oil and gas side of the house if you are interested in tanker work.

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Dry_Calendar@reddit (OP)

Thank you will do !

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SuspectOk2931@reddit

It is definitely profitable and companies can’t discriminate based on gender. You’ll get hired :) IMO more women should get into trucking.

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everythangspeachie@reddit

Tbh the only thing that comes to mind that would be hard for women is having to pee. We can just pull over somewhere and we’re good.

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TruckerDono@reddit

I've seen plenty of women do that too

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TruckerDono@reddit

Something like 15% to 20% of truck drivers are women. It's usually not a physically demanding job. If you can lift 50 lbs and climb stairs you can do it.

Side note: I know a lot of truckers don't have the best of manners, so whenever I see a lady trucker fueling I always go out of my way to be extra nice, wave, wish her a nice day and that the boys aren't being too stupid.

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Odd-Fuel-9002@reddit

I conducted a prehire road test for my company yesterday. There was an older couple from virginia (in their 50s). They were both right out of school and just got their license. She was way better than he was, especially in the backing portion of the test.

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fr33bird317@reddit

Yes

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BrattySubSam@reddit

38F, trucking for about 8 months. Started on flatbed OTR now local reefer. Yes, you can truck

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Nearby-Border-5899@reddit

Yeah why not, youll have to wait till youre 21 though if you want to driver interstate.

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Environmental-Pear40@reddit

There's plenty of women drivers. Gotta be 21 though. At least for anything other than local.

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TheRiftsplitter@reddit

Swift makes commercials specially about hiring women so I'd say you could find a job relatively quick of you wanted to

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la_zarzamora@reddit

Yes, it's possible. I did it for 2 years. Both of my trainers on the job were women. You will need to be 21 to travel out of state though.

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Be-It-coin@reddit

Need to be 21. Go to school rite before you start work so your training is fresh. Someone will hire you out of school. Remember your going to be parking in places that are desolate not lit and are extremely dangerous. Something to consider before you jump in.

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Milk_MAN1963@reddit

I know all kinds of companies in Michigan that hire 19 year olds Agriculture milk construction scrap cement trash. All kinds of jobs if you go talk to companies in person

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Parking-Signature867@reddit

Some states allow 18 year old drive but only in state/ less then 200 miles from terminal. Get familiar with your state requirements. If not just keep your record clean and get your CDL once you turn 21. Some states will allow you to go to school at 20 as long as you turn 21 during school.

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Rumymomma1959@reddit

Yes a friend of my daughters went to college and took up long haul truck with her dog

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roundtwentythree@reddit

Your biggest issue is your age not your gender. GL getting a local job willing to train at 19 with zero experience, maybe it can be done but I wouldn't hold my breath.

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CherryBlossomCats@reddit

Absolutely. My mom was a trucker for about 26 years. She only left because the loads were absolute shit and she got to the point where she didn't give a tiny rats dick about anyone brake checking her or cutting her off. She now teaches truck driving!

Find a good school or technical college cdl course. I recommend the tech college though, since they're less likely to be cdl mills, and have better teachers. When you start trucking, a good guard dog is good to have, especially since youre a woman. Even if its a noisy little rat dog, theyll make enough of a ruckus to deter anyone that isn't super unstable. Get a good iron pipe too, it'll serve as a tire thumper, leverage against stuck trailer doors, and an idiot basher. My mom and I never had a reason to bash anyone over the head with ours, but its good to have.

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Heather_Val@reddit

Does your mom live in WI?

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CherryBlossomCats@reddit

No we unfortunately dont, we live in GA. Im sorry. Shes a great teacher too, very motherly. She throughly explains your mistakes too and how you can improve upon it.

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SlothyTendecies@reddit

Been out here 13 years and have never seen a woman. What is a woman? WHY IS WOMAN?

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Silent_Swan1630@reddit

Take it from someone who is currently 20 got my CDL at 18 didn't land my first job until I was 19 and that was the hardest part I'm 20 and just now started my first 18 wheeler job. Keep at it because depending on your state and where at in your state that you live it could be pretty easy to get a job but it also might be very difficult just depends on your situation and where you're at.

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W1D0WM4K3R@reddit

Possible. The worst bit of trucking is just having a thick skin, because people are assholes. Easiest bit is driving the truck. Hardest bit is everyone else driving lol.

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Artistickidcudi@reddit

You’re more likely to be hired as a woman imo. It’s good for the company to have more gender diversity. Also there’s plenty of women drivers, not as many as men drivers. At least there is in the big corporate jobs, cement trucks and agriculture. Which is typically the jobs new drivers get anyways. I’ve only seen two owner operator women, they were really about that bread. Laid back, seemed like the type of people not to take anything personally. The job requires a lot of patience and marginal skill in driving, because even if you’re bad you’ll get better as you work. Almost anyone can it. If you’re just in it for the money then maybe it’s not a long term career for you. That’s how it is for me, this is a stepping stone while I’m in college.

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NFLTG_71@reddit

Absolutely possible and women do better at trucking because they are more security conscious and more detail oriented, but you may want to check with your state to see if they will allow you as CDL at 19 years old. Some states do some states say you have to be 21.

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FanApprehensive4218@reddit

12 year female driver here. My only regret is that I didn’t start when I was younger. I started at 53. I’ll be 65 in September and I have no intention of retiring. That’s how much I love trucking. Sure there are ups and downs and setbacks, but I don’t regret anything. I became an owner operator last year and even with these ridiculous fuel prices, I’m still loving it!

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Feeling-Bowl-9533@reddit

As a woman, aim for Midwest and not east coast and no one will care. East coast you’ll get a lot of comments. Downside is if you work for a mega, they will expect you to tell people how great they are to women which is a bit irritating. Also if you’re dry van, a lot of warehouses only have men’s bathrooms. Even if you don’t care, they will. Learn how to pee in a bottle. Don’t give out your phone number, keep your head down, and learn how to take a joke

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TwoTrucksPayingTaxes@reddit

You won't have problems being hired for your gender. Being under 21 is tricky, it limits which companies can hire you. I'd try to get some solid work experience to put on a resume and start going for your class A a few months before your 21st birthday. You might run into the standard sexist assholes that every male dominated field has, but most people are chill. Over the road sometimes has a lot of sexual harassment, you need a thick skin.

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