57 year old wanna be
 

Any info regarding drivers in there 50's ? Are many trucking companies willing to hire older drivers? I'm 57 years old, healthy and haven't had a ticket in over 30 years. I just don't want to waste time and money on a driving school if i can't get hired. Thanks for any info Sal

Age is not a big factor so long as you can pass the physical.

Not too old at all Sal. Being healthy enough to pass a DOT physical and a clean driving record are a big plus. And as long as you have a solid work history and no type of criminal background, you will not have a problem getting hired. Good luck.

Schneider National has a special program for Mature Workers that is tied in with AARP. The program has been so successful that 1/3 of the companies drivers are over 50.

Hey Sal my mom is 63 and she drives a truck. When I went to school in 99 there was a man in my class who was 73 you can do it! :D

Older drivers are actually a hot commodity with carriers. Older drivers don't tend to move around as much as younger ones, are generally more dependable and have safer driving habits. I believe the oldest driver I have met out here was in his 80's. :shock:

This is very true. The trucking industry is not "age discriminatory". I am 56, got into it in my early 40's.... came from an industry where 40 was considered too old to be in sales.... :shock:

You are more than likely a hard working person with a good work ethic, a clean MVR, an Honorable Discharge from the Military, and can actually communicate clearly in English. 8)

If you meet even two of those specifications and have no "skeletons in closets"...you will have no problems getting hired. Once hired you will be entitled to the exact same health coverages that 25 year old drivers get and not pay extra money for it.

My further advice to you is, should you choose to accept it, is to spend some time on this site doing research. By that I mean using the "search functions" the site offers.... using the company name that you may be interested in as the search word. Read the posts about that or those companies and begin forming opinions. There are also posts on this site about "what questions you should ask a recruiter"....write them down, modify as necessary to fit your needs... Keep in mind that not all companies are the same, don't hire in the same areas, and some have horrendous reputations. Sort the wheat from the chaff.

Have fun, and Good Luck!!

I started when I was 60. Hired me on the spot!

Go with a smaller company if you can.....one with no recruiter.

And call the ones who say they require experience; I was hired by a company who "requires" 2 years experience.

Thanks everyone for the encouraging posts. I will be 58 in Sept. Thinking of trying for my CDL. Seems I am too old for sales/marketing in San Antonio, unless I wish to work for minimum wage under the guidance of a 20 something with little experience and less ethics.
I was looking at Schneider Nat'l. They seem to hire a number of us "mature" workers. (we never say old. LOL) And they seem to have a safety first approach to their driving school. Any comments? But the down side is the cost and being tied to them for 18 months to pay off the cost of the school. If I understood them correctly, in the end I would be putting in $900.00 they would be contributing, $3600 towards the school. I guess if you look at it postively, by adding in the difference of $2500 over 36 months, maybe makes the mileage pay a little better?
Any suggestions or insights about Schneider Nat'l? Any knowledge of their Bulk Division? Mileage? Home time?
Thanks again to everyone for their encouragement and insights.

you should never go to a company sponsored driving school. they will usually have you sign a contract saying that you will have to be an employee for a year or pay the school anyway.


i would try a local community college or tech school and see what they have to offer. check your local social services, ie Dept of Aging, and they might offer you a good deal (or free) retraining.


nick