How old is too old?

If you pass the physical every 2 years, or more frequently, you can drive. Many conditions require more frequent medical exams.

 

It's not age that should be a deciding factor, it obviously the indiviuals health that really matters. I know a lot of 80 year old people that can hold a candle to a 50 year old.

 

You are too old when you cannot get into a semi. Or do the routine things around it 5th wheels and all.

 

My father is 85 years old and he can run circles around guys more then half his age.

 

There is a fuel that goes into a man when he gets close to a 18 wheeler. It will take 40 years off him just being involved in it. If it does not make sense then you have not loved to do something yet that much in life.

 

I say case by case.
I'm 51 now, and am routinely told I'm in far better shape than guys half my age.
I don't smoke or party though. Hard work comes natural and something I've enjoyed, let alone not shy'd away from.

Case by case.
There was a guy at CEMEX that was close to 70 still driving a mixer. He still has to wrestle the chutes, and climb up and around it to keep it clean, etc..

There are some 20 somethings that look like they could hardly walk across the lot at a truck stop.

You can appeal a medical disqualification to the regional director of the DOT of your region and ask for a demonstration skills test.

I've broken my back and both my ankles. One pre employment physical required X-Rays of the lower back & spine.
I thought " Well I'm done."
The lady reading them says " Oh, your in great condition, very healthy, it does appear you have a little arthritis on that vertebrae ( looked like someone took a small ice cream scoop out of it, I broke L2 & L3, she was looking at L2 ).
" Does it bother you?"
No ma'am.
Good to go.
Good thing they don't x-ray the ankles, cause the screws are still in there LOL.

 

What I got is a bone loss that is common in 70 year olds to have the onset called Ostopenia. A precursor to Osteoporosis I just got it about oh 20 to 30 years early in life. The worst of it is my entire T1 through T12 in the middle of the spine. So Krav Maga is out as well as several other activities. But the knowledge isnt out so that is reserved for the bad guys. Arthritis has settled in some of the joints as well system wide.

You would think with such issues I could continue trucking but no. Doctors wont let it happen. So that's that.

It's something that is part of life but it's not the end of same. Not even close. Ive got a shoot planned soon that will consume several hundred rounds, we will see how that goes. No owies allowed.

 

Maybe he'll be the first 100 year old driver.

 

The rumble of an 18 wheeler is like an energizer battery. Just keeps some people going and going.