From Warehouse to Highway: A Trucker’s Journey to a New Life

If it hadn’t been for that unexpected layoff, Lin Sen might never have found himself behind the wheel of a semi-truck. At 38, he had been working at a logistics warehouse in Michigan for ten years when his company abruptly downsized. He was let go without severance. Carrying a cardboard box with his belongings, he stood silently in the parking lot, wondering: What now?

Finding Direction Amid Uncertainty

At first, he sent resumes everywhere, but his age and limited skills made job hunting frustrating. One evening, browsing a community forum, he came across someone sharing how Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training helped them become a truck driver and reclaim financial stability. Lin had interacted with truckers at his old job—he knew the work was tough but the pay was solid. The story sparked something in him.

He contacted a local truck driving school to get the details: the course took 6–8 weeks, cost about $4,000, and covered everything from traffic laws to practical road tests. Better still, he was eligible for unemployment training assistance, so the cost would be mostly covered.

“I felt like I had finally found a lifeline I could actually grab onto.”

The Days of Training

Training was more intense than he expected. Classes started at 7 a.m. each day. He learned traffic regulations, vehicle inspection procedures, backing techniques, and on-road driving. At first, backing into a dock was a nightmare—his coordination was off, and he constantly misjudged angles.

“There were moments I wanted to quit. I thought maybe I was too old and couldn’t keep up with the younger guys.”

But a fellow student—a military veteran—told him, “You have more reason to push through. You know what life’s about.”

That stuck with him. He began practicing after class. On his instructor’s advice, he recorded his driving sessions and reviewed them at home. Slowly but surely, he developed a feel for the truck. By the time he took his first mock road test, he passed with confidence.

License Earned, Wheels Rolling

Two months later, he earned his CDL-A license. There was no time for celebration—he immediately began applying for jobs. With the school’s employer connections, he landed a position at a mid-sized logistics company driving long-haul routes.

His first route was nearly 1,200 miles—from Michigan to Texas—hauling industrial equipment. He drove through the night on wide, empty interstates. The darkness was vast, the only light coming from his headlights. The radio played softly, and the road stretched endlessly ahead.

“That’s when I realized—I had taken back control of my life.”

Income and Progress

His starting salary was around $55,000 per year, and with holiday shifts and overtime, he pulled in closer to $65,000. He received health insurance and a 401(k) plan—benefits he hadn’t had in years. He began saving, paid off his credit card debt, and started planning a family camping trip to Yellowstone next summer.

But the biggest growth wasn’t financial—it was personal. He learned how to communicate with dispatchers, handle cargo discrepancies, navigate road maps, and monitor weather conditions. Occasionally, he shared “a trucker’s day” on social media, posting pictures of the road and talking about the solitude.

“People think we just drive. But in reality, we plan, manage, and execute logistics like any other professional.”

Looking Back: How CDL Training Changed Everything

Without CDL training, he might still be struggling and unsure of his future. That compact yet intensive learning period opened a new door for him. Now, he’s thinking ahead—maybe fleet management someday, or even starting his own trucking company.

“I’m not just hauling freight. I’m delivering stability and dignity to myself and my family.”

He hopes more mid-career workers like him realize that it’s never too late to change course. If you're willing to learn again, a fresh start is always possible.