Too Old To Start A New Career As A Driver?

I turn 58 tomorrow, I've been considering truck driving to take me to retirement ten years from now. I'm in very good health. Passed the DOT physical, (I took it just to be sure) and have driven at one time or another, all sizes of vehicles. I would like professional opinions from you drivers out there if it's crazy for me to get into trucking at my age. I prefer brutal honesty.

I'm 57 and just got my CDL. I had no problem getting into the company school and hired. There are quite a few of us on TT and I'm sure you will get a lot of encouragement from the others also.

Okay Stephen, before I am brutally honest with you let me welcome you to our forum!

Here's the truth... You are just a spring chicken!

Let me explain. I started driving a truck at age 53, the same day I got hired for my first driving job the company also hired a man who was 72! If you can do the job, and pass the physical you will have no problem getting a job. I am doing this as a second career after retiring from being self-employed for thirty years, and I have met a lot of people who are enjoying this as a second career, even met a retired dentist one day out here on the road. I also have come across two drivers who were owner/operators who were in their early eighties!

You feel free to ask us as many questions as you like, and we will be glad to help point you in the right direction as to how to get the ball rolling so you can make a fine start in your new career.

Just like old man Old School said, you have nothing to worry about.

The average age in trucking is in the 40's. As long as you can pass the physical and blood pressure tests you're good. There's lots of people on TT that are near your age.

Just like old man Old School said, you have nothing to worry about.

The average age in trucking is in the 40's. As long as you can pass the physical and blood pressure tests you're good. There's lots of people on TT that are near your age.

. . . and then there is us OLD FARTS . . . 58 is nuttin' . . . just getting out of puberty . . . (Like how you spell your name). Honestly, that was the very first question I posted here when I first joined (don't be a lurker!). And I posted it on the same day as another guy who was 58 and worried. I found out very quickly that in this profession the older you are just means the more experience at decision making you are and that's a real plus. You will find out if you hang around here long enough that all the successful "drivers" are self-made. In other words "attitude" and work ethic is what it is all about. I am here in Springfield waiting to re-start my orientation with Prime, Inc. (long story well documented other places) and I have not had a single incident where anyone has reacted to my decrepit age (all of 62). As long as you meet all the requirements, the rest is up to you and your attitude. Stick around and be encouraged . . . this is the most "brutally honest" place you will find re: the trucking profession. It wasn't named Trucking Truth for nothing (although the "brutal part was left out) . . .

Jopa (aka Stephen E. Birch)

Thanks to all. If all goes well I'll be on the road late June. I really appreciate the words of encouragement. Stephen Frazer

Stephen...you have some time...so get on that High Road training program !!!! you will need it...and it will help you soooo much...and lets face it..where can you get the best training in trucking FREE !!!! not a company school !! But this will help you zoom thru that company school...so heres a link

High Road Training Program

And as always, we are here for anything you need.....I'm glad you found us.....

I turn 58 tomorrow, I've been considering truck driving to take me to retirement ten years from now. I'm in very good health. Passed the DOT physical, (I took it just to be sure) and have driven at one time or another, all sizes of vehicles. I would like professional opinions from you drivers out there if it's crazy for me to get into trucking at my age. I prefer brutal honesty.

I started at age 57. My company does a lot of furniture delivieries and I have to get the items at least to the back of the truck, and in some cases when delivering to a little botique shop where there might be one or two older ladies there, I wrestle it all the way into the store, because that's the kind of guy I am. So far the only trouble I've had is when I slipped off the back of my truck in a Georgia rainstorm a few weeks back and hurt a muscle in my back. A few weeks of Ibuprofen and stretching, and I'm good as new....well....good as I ever was.

I've told much of my story elsewhere here, you can look it up and get some insight into what I went through.

I turn 58 tomorrow, I've been considering truck driving to take me to retirement ten years from now. I'm in very good health. Passed the DOT physical, (I took it just to be sure) and have driven at one time or another, all sizes of vehicles. I would like professional opinions from you drivers out there if it's crazy for me to get into trucking at my age. I prefer brutal honesty.

I'm 57 and start school this Wednesday. The people are this site helped me make the decision that started his past January. Good luck, stay in touch.

I started at 56, just turned 59, so your age will not be an issue (unless you make it an issue).

Work ethic & attitude will be your best assets.

So ask all the questions you want, we will do our best to help if we can.

Ernie