Truck driver? Yeah, looks like it!

I am looking for employment pretty much everywhere, but I'm always met with "Sorry, we have picked someone else", or just flat out silence. The jobs I am applying for, are jobs I am qualified to do, so it's not like I am applying to be CEO of a big multinational corporation. That got me thinking: Would it be possible to become a trucker, even though I am almost in my forties? Well, yes. Lots of people retrain as truckers, some even older than me. But a little detail kept me from jumping at it - I need a driving license first.

Luckily, there is a school close to me, that offer driving license, truck driving license and trailer license. It's free to attend, so I was referring that info to my contact at the municipality. I got the registration sheet today, which I filled out and returned. An hour later, they received it, and they will get back to me, closer to the date I am supposed to start.

But how about the economy while I am there? What am I going to live off? Well, the first six months are the basic course, and after that, I am going to switch between school and practical work at a company. During the basic course, I am gonna be on the government mandated support system, which pays me every month to attend. However, my contact at the municipality, told me that the basic course is on what is known as a regional positive list. It basicaly means, that I can get benefits until I start the main course. That is a HUGE relief to me, because I am not sure I would be able to survive on the support system.

So - in summary: I will most likely become a trucker in 4 years time. Then, the open road awaits me. I can become a long hauler, hauling stuff from Denmark to anywhere in Europe. I can become a tanker driver, delivering fuel to fuel stations across the country. Or I can start my own courier business, where I haul packages from one place to the other, no questions asked.

Things are looking up!
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Comments (9)

Why 4 years? In the UK you can get a Class 1 HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) license in less than ten weeks, always a useful license to hold and keep up to date, As driving is a job that rarely disappears whatever the social constancies dictate.
Even today with heavy covd restrictions I read that HGV drivers are still needed nationwide.
Because the education is a mix between school and practical work. You get taught everything from the bottom. When you get a HGV license in the UK, you need to be at least 18 years old, Full Cat. B Licence; Pass a medical test, pass a practical test, CPC certificate. Apart from me being over the age of 18, I have none of those certificates, so that is probably the reason, why it takes me around 4 years. However, my course might be a bit shorter, because I am over the age of 25. We'll see when I start :)
Well if you can afford the time without pay I would go for it, having a full commercial licensee will always be useful should you ever become unemployed again, while looking for a more suitable job. You may actually find driving an enjoyable career, but it does need stamina and someone who is good with their own company.
It sounds like a plan. I wish you much good luck with it.
It should be more stable than endlessly having to look for temp. work.
Riz: I am definitely going for it! I am getting three licenses: Category B, category C and category C/E. B is full driving license for car, while C is truck and C/E is trailer. My options are ENORMOUS when I get a category B license. I can start my own business! I am already driving trucks, at least virtually. Euro Truck Simulator 2 and American Truck Simulator. I have put almost 400 hours into ETS2, so the next logical step is to do it for real. Working for someone to begin with. Once I have enough money for my own truck, I will buy one. Then I will save up enough money to start my own company.

Jim: The job is much more stable than looking for temp jobs, definitely.
No harm in having ambition, but it will take determination, hard work and some luck. We all need to set a goal in life, the secret to attaining that goal is to take small steps and always be willing to take risks.
As the saying goes, "Less haste more speed".
Here in NZ the driver license classes go from 1 to 5, 1 being a car license, 2 lite truck up to about 4 to 5 ton, 3 lite truck and trailer, 4 heavy truck up to about 18 to 20 ton, 5 heavy truck and trailer..
I can't remember how long it took to get my the licenses up to class 4, but i started my lite truck license on a free course.. then to get my other license classes 3, 4 and WTR ( wheels, tracks, rollers ) i worked for a earthworks company;; these licenses cost $800 all up, but it would have been double that if i wasn't using the companies machines.. working in earthworks gave a lot of practice on all types of machines off the roads, truck drivers can get some big fines out on the roads here Phil.. they will let you know on your course of your weight limits, load security, load heights etc and the fines you can get if you fail to stay with in the limits..
Good luck with it all Phil..
Keep the faith and send in those applications.

Your job is waiting for you.

In America they said the economy is bad, no jobs.

I applied to three jobs just to see what the market is like.

I was hired for all three.

There are jobs out there, but it looks like a person has a better chance with an advance degree.
Your positivity is inspirational Philipsen, go for it handshake
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Philipsen

Vallensbæk, Zealand, Denmark

Well not the LITERAL end of the World.

So.. Who am I? Well, my name is Danny, and I live in Denmark. I am a down to earth, carefree guy, who loves the small things in life. I am a fan of well crafted stories, and old movies. The Godfather is the [read more]