Is 50 Too Old To Start With Pro-driver Career?
Topic 25530 | Page 2
The FMCSA recently relaxed the regulations on CMV Drivers with Diabetes. It used to be quite involved and time consuming. You should make yourself aware of the requirements. Start with this link. Good luck.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.
CMV:
Commercial Motor Vehicle
A CMV is a vehicle that is used as part of a business, is involved in interstate commerce, and may fit any of these descriptions:
- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
50 is not too old! I started at 52. I had a lot of aches and pains, but if you want it, you push through. I was set on Roehl and Prime. Roehl would not take me because I’d been retired from law enforcement for 7 years and they said, “we’ve found that people like you don’t do well.” I wasn’t sure what that was supposed to mean, so I talked with Prime. One of my friends husband is a driver and he told me to look around more. So I talked with Schneider. I will say that Schneider will give you a chance when many others won’t. I don’t love everything about Schneider, but no company is perfect. They gave me a chance, even paying for two more tests for me when I failed, then after I did well and persevered, they gave me a brand new truck. Keep them in your back pocket if you run in to problems elsewhere. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want as far as account, and pay. I’m glad you posted because it gave me a chance to remember that they did right by me and I need to remember that!
50 is not too old at all. I also started at 50 yrs old so I say go for it if it is something you want to do. I have heard prime is a good company but there are many good ones and bad ones. You just have to go where they give you what fits your needs and what you want to accomplish. As long as your diabetes is controlled and you aren't on insulin you can get a cdl. Sleep apnea is not something that would disqualify you as you as you are compliant if that is something that ends up being a concern. 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.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
I started school right before my 54th birthday...I turned 60 in March, still driving and have no regrets.
Take a look at these links; review, study and absorb them like a sponge...
- 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.
It really comes down to your health... bottom line
I started my career in the trucking industry with a bad back, and knowing my limitations I still managed to squeak out nearly fifteen years behind the wheel.
So I say go for it
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
G-d I hope not.
Got my CDL @ 62!
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.
I’ll be 60 this year, and started in January.
My aches and pains have aches and pains. :)
Broke my ankle a year ago, have gout, arthritis, sciatica and numerous other issues.
The diabetes might be a problem if you need insulin. Most companies won't hire you if you need injections due to the fact most trucks don't come installed with a refrigerator to keep the insulin cool.
I left the real estate market after 25 years not long after the economy went bust. In 2008, I bought a truck, got my authority, and ran drivers for several years and man was that a headache. In 2013 I went through the training program here on Trucking Truth ( An amazing way to learn the ropes I might ad), after which I went to the DMV , took my tests, and got my permit. I then went to school to get the driver training and hours, got my CDL and began driving shortly thereafter. I am 63 years old.
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
This topic has the following tags:
Becoming A Truck Driver CDL Qualifications Changing Careers Diabetes Health Concerns High Road Training Program Older truck drivers
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
Thank you Gentlemen,
PackRat, that's exactly how I feel about this decision. It shall be my last adventure as well.
I am off to study for my CDL permit, and find "trucker friendly" doctor to do my physical test.
Thank you very much for information and words of encouragement! Bruce K, Donna M, PackRat, Old School, Bobcat Bob, Don, you replies helped me a lot!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: