52 yrs old--am I too old to start in this business?

Since you are in Canada maybe see if any companies in your area offer driver training program. You are obviously litterate so no other obstacles. Some from your area may have better information
Good Luck

 

I had a few guys who were in their 60s at my orientation.

We were all inexperienced and getting ready to drive for a company hauling chemical tankers.

If you can drive, you can drive, no matter how old you are.

Especially if you have no obligations like family or health issues to hold you down.

 

I am 38 years old. You have my respect. no offense to you. I am just trying to bring you some points.

1. your expectation for money

if you become a company driver, your gross income will be around 60k. you will work like horse, none stop. a lot of hard work will strike down at your age.

if you want to get easier work, you will become an owner operator. it will take at least 2 years learning some basic. you are looking for something like 80k to 100k a year.

if you want to go fully independent, no offense you need at least 5 years to work in this industry. you are looking at something around 120k to 150k.

2. learning learning learning

there is a lot to learn in this business.

you need to learn the route.
you need to learn your equipment.
you need to learn how to read your gps ( you think we should just follow the GPS? no )
you need to learn how to fuel. ( IFTA fuel planning is a must)
you need to learn how to fix your equipment.
lots of learning...
are you ready to learn at your age?

3. this is a dangerous career. no kidding

you will see dead people. in Ontario, every 15 hours someone will hit a truck. 87%dead right away. 1 mistake will ruin your life. no kidding.

4. your company is your enemy.

I cannot tell you how bad is your company. office guys, dispatchs they are all trying to get you to work so they can make money.

ok. a quick example for you. my summer contact is this.

from Toronto to Vancouver 9 to 14 picks 7500 to 8500 Cad. 1 del reefer load
Vancouver to LA 1 pick 1 drop 2200 Usd to 2500 usd reefer load
La to Toronto 10 to 15 pick 1 drop 10500 to 12000 cad. reefer load.

over all, I am about 2.80 cad per mile. the work is about 12 to 14 days. most of these companies took this contract they pay owner 1.5 dollars per mile. they pay company drivers 0.5 dollar per mile do this work. they want you finish this in 10 to 11days. think about it.

This is not a very good job or career for you honestly.

5. do you really enjoy driving?

for me, I already paid off my house. I can even spend 300k pay off an brand new tractor trailer. the reason I am still on the road is I love this job. I cannot imagine if I stop driving what is gonna happen. I will miss it so much. I am proud I am a truck driver. to me... i am born to drive.

 

The industry has changed dramatically. You need to think real hard, talk to drivers. Stop at a local truck stop. Buy a cup of coffee for an owner op and ask some questions. Do the same for a company driver. You can make good money. You just have to be smart about it. Prairie boy built his company from the ground up. Talk to folks like that.

Good luck.

 

Im 59, I got my license June 7 and was hired June 12.
You will need to attend a driving school, check them out on the web and look for endorsments from local or area companies. Then pick the school, the course should take 6 weeks, call and apply to companies while learning and look for ones that have their own training which you will want to be another 6 weeks.
Thats what I did but it was difficult to get back into the learning mode and there are ups and downs, try to find a school that teaches with standard transmissions, that will open more doors. I thought I had enough motivation to succeed but it takes a lot and you will be out of your comfort zone but if you want to be a professional driver there are plenty of opportunities. Dont worry about leasing or owning a truck for a long time if ever, most experienced drivers I've talked to don't recommend it.

 

There is a 12 page thread here on how to turn landing gear handle,,,so you know you are not competing with Mensa alumni for a position

Do you spin your landing gear handle?