Question About Age And Experience

I am 65, good health, with 33+ years experience as a car hauler, OTR and regional , excellent driving record, current medical card and all endorsements including hazmat , retired for 3 years and hate it. I want to get back on the road with a national company (not car hauling). Can anyone discuss age concerns companies have and what is today's true driver demand? I have spoken to two recruiters. One said he would call back after a background check, but never did, and the other would not discuss age and would only say, "just submit your application." Submitted other applications with only one response interested in a team driver only. Is it my age, the 3 year break in driving, a decreased need for drivers due to the economy, or something else? Having been employed for so many years, I am new to the job search routine and can use any suggestions.

Welcome Jim!

Well, your age is no concern at all, especially with the driving experience you have. But truck driving schools graduate students in their 60's all the time so even without the experience you'd have no concerns with your age. But you said you've gone three years without driving and three years without working at all and those are both going to work against you.

Not having driven for three years means you'll likely have to take a refresher course of some sort before most companies would put you on the road. No big deal. Seems silly, I know. But you know how it is - truck drivers don't make the rules so we have to play along to make the pencil-pushers feel better. Now you can take one of two approaches with this:

1) You can land a job with a major carrier that has their own truck driving school. They'll "train" you and have you out there running solo as quickly as possible. It's in their financial best interest to do so. You can find those companies here:

Company-Sponsored Training Programs

You can also add Celadon to that list. They have a brand new driving school and I haven't put up the information on them yet.

2) You can land a conditional hire with a trucking company (called a pre-hire) and they will allow you to take a refresher course at a private truck driving school near you. The companies will likely have different requirements for the course as far as what schools they'll accept and how long the course needs to be. So continue applying at any trucking companies you're interested in and speak with each one about their requirements for a refresher course.

But that might be the easier of the two problems. The fact that you retired and haven't worked in three years is going to scare companies away more than your age or the fact you haven't driven in three years.

For whatever reason, a lot of companies shy away from people who haven't worked recently. Some companies even have no-hire policies for anyone that has been unemployed for one year or more. But of course as demand changes, so can these policies, and we're approaching the peak demand season - summer and fall. So that will work in your favor. There isn't anything you can really do to overcome this hurdle accept to try sweet-talking your way in with a solid reason for returning to the workforce and a strong emphasis on your experience.

And keep in mind - recruiters are famous for not calling people back. You really have to be incredibly persistent and call all of the companies back yourself, maybe every other day or so, until you know your application has been processed and you get an answer. Otherwise it may sit on a pile collecting dust.

So it's not your age that's the problem. It's your lack of a recent work history and the fact you haven't driven in three years. You're just going to have to be really persistent. Fill out a ton of applications and keep making phone calls. You'll land a job somewhere no doubt. It's just a matter of keeping at it.

We have an outstanding listing of truck driving jobs and you can find those here:

Truck Driving Jobs

Fill out all the apps you like.

Welcome Jim!

Well, your age is no concern at all, especially with the driving experience you have. But truck driving schools graduate students in their 60's all the time so even without the experience you'd have no concerns with your age. But you said you've gone three years without driving and three years without working at all and those are both going to work against you.

Not having driven for three years means you'll likely have to take a refresher course of some sort before most companies would put you on the road. No big deal. Seems silly, I know. But you know how it is - truck drivers don't make the rules so we have to play along to make the pencil-pushers feel better. Now you can take one of two approaches with this:

1) You can land a job with a major carrier that has their own truck driving school. They'll "train" you and have you out there running solo as quickly as possible. It's in their financial best interest to do so. You can find those companies here:

Company-Sponsored Training Programs

You can also add Celadon to that list. They have a brand new driving school and I haven't put up the information on them yet.

2) You can land a conditional hire with a trucking company (called a pre-hire) and they will allow you to take a refresher course at a private truck driving school near you. The companies will likely have different requirements for the course as far as what schools they'll accept and how long the course needs to be. So continue applying at any trucking companies you're interested in and speak with each one about their requirements for a refresher course.

But that might be the easier of the two problems. The fact that you retired and haven't worked in three years is going to scare companies away more than your age or the fact you haven't driven in three years.

For whatever reason, a lot of companies shy away from people who haven't worked recently. Some companies even have no-hire policies for anyone that has been unemployed for one year or more. But of course as demand changes, so can these policies, and we're approaching the peak demand season - summer and fall. So that will work in your favor. There isn't anything you can really do to overcome this hurdle accept to try sweet-talking your way in with a solid reason for returning to the workforce and a strong emphasis on your experience.

And keep in mind - recruiters are famous for not calling people back. You really have to be incredibly persistent and call all of the companies back yourself, maybe every other day or so, until you know your application has been processed and you get an answer. Otherwise it may sit on a pile collecting dust.

So it's not your age that's the problem. It's your lack of a recent work history and the fact you haven't driven in three years. You're just going to have to be really persistent. Fill out a ton of applications and keep making phone calls. You'll land a job somewhere no doubt. It's just a matter of keeping at it.

We have an outstanding listing of truck driving jobs and you can find those here:

Truck Driving Jobs

Fill out all the apps you like.

Brett, Thanks for the reply. I thought my age would be the primary concern of any company, but I see that now I have to change gears so to speak (attempted humor). I am going to try all your suggestions and be a bit more persistent in contacting different companies. I'm sure it will take some time but I will let you know what happens. Your entire site is awesome.

Jim

Hello Jim.W, For job, we have to be patient in this case. Try in more companies and do not feel bad if there is no response from other side. Be strong and go for it until you find one.

And thanks Brett for sharing this information. it will help other truck drivers also who are demotivated due to some rejections. :)

Jim, you don't say where your from, but it does make a difference to companies if you are in their "freight lanes", or "hiring area". It all really boils down to if they can get you home as they promise in their propaganda. With your experience, you should have your pick, and especially since you want to go OTR. So don't give up, theres a seat out there with your bum cheeks fitted for it !!