New Career At 50?

So I am looking into a career in trucking and trying to read as much helpful information that I can to try and make a wise decision as much as one can. I almost went into trucking about 10-11 years ago but I still had young children at the time and it just didn't fit into the life we had at the time so I went another direction. Well now that my children are all grown up and out of the house it is time to revisit this and see about life as a truck driver. I am currently working as a Nurse and one may say why in the heck would you want to be a truck driver and make this kind of change in your life now? Well my answer to that question is this, I want to be able to be my own boss as much as one can when working for a trucking company. At least being on the road it is just you, the truck and the road. That is my take on it anyways and if I am wrong then please tell me. The other reason is that while I am still young enough to where I still have to work for another 20 years at least before I can retire I would like to try something else without asking myself what if. I have just become a member of TruckingTruth so I am looking for truth to guide me in the right direction with tips from others that have made the same choice I am considering. As with any midlife changes and choices there is a lot of anxiety with them as to whether one should make such a leap. Thank you listening.

Hi Charles, and welcome to the forum.

You'll be happy to know there are many of us here at TT that started at an older age. I started at 47 myself, for similar reasons as you. Several started much older.

Welcome Chuck,

I started at 53, and several others started in their 40-50’s. I have found alot of folks respond well to us because we know how to get things done and talk to people. Often much younger folks haven’t been there yet so they don’t quite get it yet. There are exceptions to everything though. I’m talking in broad general terms. There is alot to be said for life experience. There is a vast wealth of knowledge on this site. Everyone will give you their best honest advice, not just an answer you may want.

Best wishes too you in your endeavors

Yes, Chuck, little kids like you can drive a big truck too! If you are 50 now, I was in high school when you were born. I switched careers three years ago and doing fine.

Here are some recent pictures of two of the Grownups on the forum.

Here are some links that may answer some of your questions and suppositions (The High Road program will almost guarantee that you pass the CDL written test.):

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Yes, Chuck, little kids like you can drive a big truck too! If you are 50 now, I was in high school when you were born. I switched careers three years ago and doing fine.

Here are some recent pictures of two of the Grownups on the forum.

Here are some links that may answer some of your questions and suppositions (The High Road program will almost guarantee that you pass the CDL written test.):

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Wow, you look pretty darned young for a guy in his 60s! In fact, you look like you're in high school now. What kinds of vitamins are you taking?

I started at 50. Spent plenty of time before that on this site. After you thoroughly go through the links Errol provided, read through the Training Diaries section of this forum. There you will learn what to expect in training. I trained through CFI's paid training program and I'm very happy here. Another member just started training with them and is posting a new diary now. Good luck.

Charles I started school when I was 52. Hit the links that Errol posted.

Good luck!

There's no age discrimination in Trucking. There are a lot of folks who do this as a second career after retiring from something else.

I got hired for my first trucking job at 53. The company I started with hired another gentleman that same day who was 73. Personally, I think many of these trucking companies prefer more mature individuals.

I too started at the young age of 53. I left a 20+ year career in healthcare (RRT) and enjoy the freedom immensely. No grumpy or extremely ill patients, nobody breathing down my neck, no hospital politics, and I love being out here every day. It's a wonderful adventure and challenge for me.

You'll be in excellent company out here on the road. Many retired business owners, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, IT people, teachers, etc. are out here. Trucking seems more pleasing to those of us with a good bit of life experience behind us.

Susan D shares some wisdom:

You'll be in excellent company out here on the road. Many retired business owners, healthcare professionals, law enforcement officers, IT people, teachers, etc. are out here. Trucking seems more pleasing to those of us with a good bit of life experience behind us./

*LIKE

So true.