Starting A Trucking Career At 63... And During This Pandemic...

As long as you have a relatively clean criminal and driving records and can pass a DOT physical theres no reason you can't get your CDL. Thanks Rob! I have a spotless driving record and a squeaky clean criminal record, i.e., none.... I'm good to go!

DD

Hello everyone! It seems to me that it’s never too late to start doing what you dream about. Our age shouldn't be an obstacle to the dream and goals, because this is just a figure. The current situation with COVID is just the time at which you can start planning future affairs and gradually implement them.

Go for it! Last year I went to a private school and got my commercial license in October. Within two weeks of inquiring to a local aggregate hauler I had a job. On the 16th, ten days ago, I passed the six-month experience milestone and, wow, today I got an offer from a carrier, via Indeed, to apply for a position hauling bulk agricultural commodities. The demand is out there, despite the pandemic apparently.

Age isn’t a factor. Your health and attitude is. I’m rapidly approaching 60 and still crawling up and down tankers.

During this pandemic things have changed, but still moving. If this is something you want to do go ahead and jump in.

In 2014, after just turning 63, I got my CDL. I'm still out here, turning 69 in July. I tell people it's a good job for women and old people and I qualify in both categories ;-)

Had it not changed sometime between 1993 when I got off the road and when I came back on, I couldn't do the loading and unloading. Back then there were no lumper services, just guys that hung around some shippers and receivers that would work for cash. Running team, my co-driver and I loaded and unloaded as the companies wouldn't pay for lumpers very often. Glad we don't have to do that now.

Laura

Welcome DD ... you are not alone bro ... I am almost 67 and I've just started myself ...

So guys, I've been offered a contingent job with Roehl! Realy like them so far. Studying for my CLP in NY. Hope to be on the road by August.

Thanks for your reply, and be blessed!

DD

Hi All,

I am so glad that I found this topic. In 2017, I retired from teaching middle school after 32 years! During most of my career I also taught driver education. The last 7 years I have also driven motor coaches up and down the eastern seaboard, mostly ball teams and school groups. In NC due to Covid 19 there is little to no driver education or motor coach business. That has got me to thinking about trucking. I love driving and have always had a desire to drive the "big rigs" even while I was teaching. I have been researching trucking companies for the last two months but in the back of my mine I thought that I was too old. Reading the posts in, "Starting A Trucking Career At 63... And During This Pandemic..." has given me the hope that maybe I am not too old after all. I was considering flat beds but after reading Brett's post, it sounds like I should look at dry vans.

I want to think everyone for the posts! I have learned so much while I am completing "The High Road Online CDL Training Program" in preparation for my CDL learners permit. Any bits of wisdom that you would like to pass along would be greatly appreciated.

I started school March 2019 at 62 years old,. I did a local private school that taught how to pass the CDL-A test in Oregon. I started work in April once I passed the test and got my license then I learned how to drive right. I drive a Day cab 13speed Pete 379 with a drop axle towing a spread axle curtain van. 92,000 gross rating. I do some forklift loading/Unloading but mostly the farmers and warehouse guys do that. Moving grass seed Monday-Friday and some Saturday work during the summer. There are a lot of tight driveways and small roads Going to some of the farms. Makes the heart rate jump but so far no ditch time. Spread axle trailer takes more room to back up and really scrubs the front tires when turning tight. As for the age thing I seem to doing okay. And plan to work full time for another 6 years. Then I may go part time. My background is electronics and I worked 36 years as a copier/printer technician. The company I work for was one of my copier customers. My wife and I are considering a move to Texas and so far like the hill country best. Kerrville area has our attention as we have liked our visits around there. We also have been looking at a Simi tractor set up for towing our 5th wheel RV. It’s a 10 speed and was being setup for a full timer RV. We figured my wife could learn how to drive simi’s too with that setup. It does have a RV size 5th wheel plate and is being used to tow the current owners RV.