Age factor for a new driver?

I'm 52 and wanting to become a OTR Driver. For 13 years I was an electronics technician, I've been a cartographer for 15 years (not road maps, groundwater and hydrology types of maps) and I've been a host of other things. I've been unhappy in my current job for some time. A recent event was a catalyst for me to contemplate what "I want" to do for the next 15 years until I retire. Being a truck driver is what has percolated to the top. So far, all the facets I have tried to learn about being a trucker and what the trucker life is like and that sort of stuff lead me to believe I would enjoy it and would be able to handle the 'not so fun' aspects of trucking.

Anyway, for 'reasons' I can't really begin until June, possibly longer, possibly sooner (April 2013 would be the earliest). But, that gives me plenty of time to put as many ducks in line as I can.

My main concern is if I will have a great deal of difficulty getting a beginner job because of my age. I have no tickets in the last 13 or so years. No felonies, or misdomeaners for that matter. I do not drink, or use non-prescription drugs. I'm healthy and the only issue I forsee is sleep apnea, but it only flares up on occasion. I have and use a CPAP machine when I neeed to. I do not need to 'be home' at specific times.

btw, when I was a teenager I worked at the closest thing to a truck stop my little home town had and I have experience fixing flats on split rim truck tires (Do they even use those anymore?)!

Anyway, Any ideas if my age will create great difficulty for me? Thanks!!!

 

@ STexan, Thanks. As for the sleep apnea, I think I'll have to go to my doctor and she'll have to write me a note stating I am safe to drive and take that letter with me when I go to the doctor that will give me the Medical Card. Somethings like that is what I've read.

@dutchieinquebec. Does seem sort of outside in left field for me doesn't it! Lol. I actually refer to this as my 'hair-brained Idea'.

Anyway, Lots of reasons composite themselves together for this. Some of the singular parts consist of loving to drive and being a driver. I mean that I'm ALWAYS the one driving. Put a group of folks together to go somewhere, with me in the group, and I WILL end up being the driver. I don't have to promote myself or anything, it just ALWAYS happens that way. It's actually comical.

Also, some of my favorite accomplishments in my life so far surround driving. I lived in Europe for 6 & 1/2 years. I've driven in Rome!, I've driven over 20,000 miles above 100MPH! (btw, I slowed down to legal limits when I returned to the U.S., I did get it out of my system you might say!), I've driven with a friend from Cape Cod Mass to the Coast of Texas in 37 & 1/2 hours.

I do my best thinking while I drive. I enjoy (and require) much more alone time than most folks and I am comfortable being with myself for extended period of time. I am tired of intellectual challenges and would like I job that isn't about solving and figureing out all the time. I've proven myself to myself and for my last leg of a work life, this is for ME!

I'll have a decent retirement waiting for me when I eventually retire, so I do not need to worry significantly about making tons of money. Actually my income will drop by 50% I figure.

Anyway, for these reasons and others, taken together and as hair-brained as it may sound, it makes sense and seems to be the right choice. Since I can't drop what I'm doing (I need to wait till April 2013 to complete 25 years so I will have the retirement goal I need. Probably have to wait till June for other financial details to conclude themselves) and 'run away' to truck driving school, I figure I'll be able to flush this out pretty well So I'll know fairly confidently this is the right thing for me if, when I can finally make the move, I still think it's the right one.

Sorry about my verbose tendency and thanks for your question!

 

@ pokerhound67 My sugar and cholesterol are great. No difficulties and I have been tested yearly. Genetics play a significant component to some of these issues and it seems at least in this facet, I got really lucky. I am overweight, by BMI factor (mine is 28 ) I am overweight, but not obese.

 

@ Chinatown Thanks, Blood Pressure is usually fine, if not a tad on the low side. In general I am Healthy! No known issues that would be a problem to being a driver, except the already mentioned apnea issue. I was even a good boy and had my age 50 screening colonoscopy and it was fine. My PSA level is 0.1, which is really good!