61 Years Young
Topic 23602 | Page 1
No, you are not to young. Welcome to the forum. We always suggest people start with these.
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
Good luck.
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.
You’re good to go.
Hi Russ. Welcome to the forum.
I work with a driver who started CDL school when he was 66. He will celebrate his 70th birthday early next year.
I started CDL school when I was just shy of 54. I will be 60 this coming March.
If you are of reasonably good health, have a good driving record, starting a career later in life is a non-issue.
Please read the links that Big Scott sent you. It will really help you understand what to expect.
Good luck.
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.
Welcome Russ!
I started my trucking career at age 53. When I went to my first job orientation there was a 73 year old gentleman there with me. Since then, I've actually met a few drivers in their eighties!
Believe it or not, many of these trucking companies prefer more "seasoned" persons. Statistics have shown that two of the safest groups of drivers are females and the slightly older ones.
Several people have asked the "Am I too old?" and basically the answer is the same: if you can get a CDL card and a valid DOT medical exam you'll get a job.
I started my trucking career four years ago when I was 63. So there. You'll do well.
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.
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.
Statistics have shown that two of the safest groups of drivers are females and the slightly older ones.
This is good news. According to The Missus I am a slightly older one, and according to me she is female. Gonna put that on our trucking resumé.
I am going to be 59 in December. I’m signing up for school tomorrow.
You are NOT "too young"! I was 61 when I went to CDL school to get my legal license to drive. That was 3 years ago next month. I know more than a handful of OTR drivers that are 20 years senior to me. I'm 64 in December, God willing. It's a lifestyle, not a typical JOB, no matter if you're a O/O or company man. Most days aren't bad days, either! Good luck to you.
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.
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Hello, Russ here, I am serously thinking of starting a new career as OTR truck driver. I had a really bad experience in my last job. I have worked in the corporate world for the last 35 years and I'm done with it. I have drove 26k and under trucks and have been certified on all type of heavy equipment, my last job as a maanger they certified me on a 40,000# forklift that I spent most my time on. I'm hands on type of person and love driving, I sick and tired of people and thier BS and owners. OK after my whining I was wondering if I'm to old to start a career as a CDL driver? And is Prime or Swift the best path to go as far as paid schooling (being paid) while schooled? Thank you, Russ
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.