How old is too old to be STARTING a career in trucking?

i did exactly what you did
quit driving in 85 came back in 2011 at 57
school and starter company
now turning 61 with a good company

 

Well let me give it to you straight bro. This industry doesn't have any type of job security. So Yeah somebody may let you get some experience in their truck, but if you were to have a couple of incidents/accidents. You will have a hard time finding employment again. You really have to be on your P's and Q's and be able to think and react quickly and I'm not sure if those things slow down with age. But again there are very few decent companies out here, and if your money is tight. I would find something else to invest it in. Instead of a trucking career that can be short either to you not wanting to put up with the foolishness of the companies, and rules that we have. Or If you have a bad week or two in the incident department.

 

I know some drivers who were still driving in their late 70's. I don't think age is a really big factor in trucking as long as you're in pretty good health. Im 60 myself, and although retired now, I still get calls.

 

We have handicap spaces in this profession.

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You're good.

 

LOL thats for the youngsters that cant keep up with us older guys and gals?LOL JK

 

Young, I did the same thing as Cranky, went another direction in 1986, came back to trucking in 2011. One difference, I'll be 71 in October. I know you should not listen to negative or fear driven advice. Like you say, that can happen to anyone, any time, but it happens more to unprepared, careless, tired, or distracted drivers. I went with a mega-carrier for 13 months, moved up to a better company/pay scale for 3 months, then stayed with them as an Independent Contractor. I've been back OTR for about 2 1/2 years, no incidents, accidents, or service failures, and am now making more money, enough more to keep my plans moving forward.

One other thing, and you'll know this is a major truth. If you're going into an active role in trucking, driving, you'll need to be healthy, as fit as you can, and willing to put up with the foolishness that's bound to be part of any endeavor. It seems like there's a lot of foolishness in trucking. Shippers, consignees, equipment, drivers, DOT and FMCSA, so on. From one mature American to another, it's working for me, and I'm only exceptional once in a while. My opinion? Fear not, go for it!

 

Mick Jagger is 71 years old, he could go to school and get hired today. Elvis Presley couldn't get hired as a truck driver when he was 40. It's not about chronological age, it's about each individual person and how their own health is my friend.