How Old Can You Be? How Long Can You Drive?
Topic 20297 | Page 1
The big companies view it the same as small ones, I'd imagine. As long as you can pass a DOT physical, drive safely and efficiently, you are good to go.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
68 years old? Ha Ha, you're still a puppy compared to Super Moderator Old School. He is rapidly approaching triple digits and still burning rubber! When will he retire already so he can start writing trucking books?
So long as you can pass a physical and be a safe driver companies don't discriminate against age. I personally think its more challenging to be a young driver in this industry but thats just my opinion.
Met a husband/wife team haulin OTR through Port Arthur years ago. He was 75, not sure his wife age but from their story they met in high school. He retired years earlier but his wife got the bug and wanted to travel. She got her CDL soon there after and they were team driving.
Meeting them was one of the major deciding factors for me to pursue trucking at some point in my life.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Thanks,Daniel B. I agree that new drivers have a lot more challenges. I have aches and pains but I don't think I would trade them for what I've learned over the years.
I think Old School said once that entering the industry at 40 was the norm, I could be wrong, I'm sure he will correct me if I'm wrong, but younger/older it doesn't matter as everyone is saying if you pass you DOT physical n can drive safely n legally your good.
Thanks,Daniel B. I agree that new drivers have a lot more challenges. I have aches and pains but I don't think I would trade them for what I've learned over the years.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
I was on a dedicated account in central upstate NY, and one of the drivers from another company was in his early to mid 80's and still driving...
The day I got hired for my first trucking job, the company also hired a 73 year old man. Since then I have met two drivers in their 80's!
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Captncrusty here.Hey,Everyone! What is the oldest driver you know of that is still driving for any major companies? I'm still a driver at age 68, still in good health and working for a small company. Just wondering how the major companies view this.