Starting At 60 Years Young Am I Crazy.

Hi Errol,

Thanks for your response. Like the saying goes, "Don,t believe everything you read". My understanding is that Swift deducts $37.50 per week from the drivers check for the first year and does some sort of a "phantom" match of the same amount weekly. After the first year, that amount adds up to the $3900.00 tuition. At that point you have fulfilled your obligation to them and are under no further obligation to them financially. Should you decide to stay for another year + or -, they will add 37.50 per week to your check and reimburse you for the $1950.00 you paid them the first year, making your investment in your training a net Zero. If anyone has a more correct answer, please chime in and set me straight.

Happy Trucking Y'all

Tractor Man

T.M., you got it. I just didn't know the numbers in the deal.

Thank you, this has been a great thread. I am 57. Recently laid off from an Insurance position and have been considering the same career move. Very helpful information.

I'm a little late to the thread, but if it makes you feel better a 70 year old lady is enrolled in our next day class. That should be interesting.

I hope that I meet all of you somewhere down the road so I can personally say thank you for your help. Have a few ?s as to choosing the best school for training. Swift and Smith & Solomon seem to be the predominant schools in my area. I live in NJ and they have classes within 20 miles of home. I remember Old School mentioned that company schools vs private schools would most likely offer the better training. I guess its probably the same feeling you get when you went into the Army back in the day. Signing up for a major change in life not knowing exactly what to expect ha. I went back to college when my Kids (6 ea) were young and I guess I wanted to see if I could. Did not have a College role model or was ever offered the option to go. Times were different back then. Anyway I made the Deans list and came to the conclusion that like anything else, you only got out of it what you put in. The college was going to take my money weather I got A's or f's. I paid my hard earned money and I wanted A's. I want a good school for my CDL training. I'll put in the effort to make it the best. Any tips or advice is appreciated. Going to make some calls Wed to start the process. Also what should I do I am a little confused as far as who does what and the order they are done. Example should I get my permit before class starts or wait. Should I get the dot physical before or after I sign up with a school. Little uncertain whats included in taking the classes I'm sure the recruiters will answer some ?s I have. Just want to avoid the sales pitch hustle. Again thank you. Robert

Old School don't laugh I have that same hat..

Robert,

If the school allows the option, I would recommend getting your permit and endorsements BEFORE attending school. You will need your DOT Physical prior to testing for your permit (at least that is how it works in Arizona). I did it that way to ease the stress and cramming to memorize questions and answers to pass.

PLEASE start the High Road Program on this site right away! I wayyyy over studied for my tests for months before going to DMV. Thousands of practice questions. I actually learned the material rather than memorizing answers for the short term. There are plenty of other sites with free CDL practice exams. I took advantage of them all. I think the program that Brett put together for this site is by far the best but other tests have questions with slightly different wording. TAKE THEM ALL.

P.S. Try to do as much correspondence via email with your Recruiter. Its all about documentation

Good luck to you

Tractor Man

My co-driver, whom I was in school with at Keenesburg, is 60.

I feel better after reading about new drivers in their 50's-60's starting out as a CDL driver! I have been going to Baker College has a CDL truck driving program near Flint, MI. since January of 2016, due to graduate this June then take the 3rd party test on the 3rd week of July. Since I have been single for many years I don't care if I am not home much, so long hauls will be OK! I will admit at first as a student it was overwhelming to learn the pre-trip & etc. because the school teaches Us more then we need to know for the 3rd party testing which is good for when working for a company & something breaks down I will have a little knowledge of what it is. This site I feel has the best online CDL training program and I still use it when I can. When I took the TIP test "Temporary instructional permit thru the state I only did the standard group A with air brakes endorsement. If I pass the 3rd party test then I plan to take additional endorsement testing. Still researching what companies to apply & work for. Looks like only big self insured trucking companies will hire students? Good luck out there & safe driving!

Starting At 60 years young am I crazy.

Not sure if you're crazy, but I know I am.

I'm coming up on my one year milestone of driving solo. I just turned 62. With your credentials, you will be just fine (imho).