75 Year Old Ex Driver

I am 75 years old and haven't driven a big rig for the past 12 years. I am interested in driving again and wonder if anyone would hire me? The past year and a half I made several trips from Bakersfield CA to FL pulling a variety of small trailers behind my SUV. (Horse trailer, 12 ft box trailer and different sizes of utility trailers. ) No tickets or accidents. Want to know if I'm wasting my time trying to get a driving job. Have CDL and physical. Last is only one year as BP was high due to family death. Expect that will drop for the next one.

You should be able to. However, with the changes that have occurred since you last drove, you might have to get a refresher. Somebody will pipe up with more knowledge about that than me.

I will be 71 this year and have been driving since I turned 63. I drove from 88 to 93 and didn't keep my chauffeur's license up, which switched to the CDL. So I went back to a school in 2014...which was a mistake. I should have gone to one of the larger company training schools. But it's okay. I ran 132,716 paid miles last year and am in the top five drivers of my company. So it is doable.

Laura

I think you can get hired. The trucking industry is old age friendly in general. You might get some rejections, but it only takes one YES. I’m a recently hired old guy (69), and had to pass a basic agility test and lift 50 pounds. Maturity and sound judgement seem to trump the age factor.

Get going, you’re not getting any younger!w

Thanks for the encouragement. I started putting out feelers today, expect the rejections but I'm in good health with a good driving record. During my 12 yrs of driving I never had a chargeable late load. My truck record was very good and I rated many months with top miles. I feel positive about getting a job.

Thanks for the encouragement. I started putting out feelers today, expect the rejections but I'm in good health with a good driving record. During my 12 yrs of driving I never had a chargeable late load. My truck record was very good and I rated many months with top miles. I feel positive about getting a job.

Miss Cheryl;

Those two gave you the PERFECT encouragement, spot on. MANY companies prefer 'mature' persons to put in seats, these days. My husband's company is an exemplar; have no idea how they get around not hiring 'green & young.. fresh meat,' haha!

Wish you well; we are in our 50's as a couple, also.

Take a look at PackRat's posts... and Old School's ... they're still at it.. though younger than you; with heart and eye surgeries (major) respectively!

I hope this all works great for you!

Are you in Cali? Or Florida? Might have suggestions, if you'd share location.

There's this, too: Apply For Paid CDL Training

And, supplemental; if you don't need to refresh: Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

I'm still waiting 'my' turn to get in a seat; hubby trained me 'years ago...' and I had to raise the kids. Now, I have!

Best wishes, ma'am!

~ Anne & Tom ~