Am I too old to be hired as a trucker?

Trucking is a true bastion of every kind of person there is.
There are plenty of companies that have little to no loading and unloading. Refer is one.
Age doesn't matter. Race or sex doesn't matter. Companies hire everyone.
You will need to attend CDL school and then pick your training company to go to work.
There are lots of people over 50 (probably 40-50%) coming into this industry every day.
I know...I train them.
I see quite a few people on the dark side of 60 coming in as new drivers.
When it's all over, remember... when you get old, you don't regret the things you did in life, you regret those you DIDN'T do.
go for it!

 

Some carriers actively seek out more mature drivers. This is one profession where age can actually be an asset. As long as you keep your nose clean, can pass the DOT physical, have a good mvr and work history there is no reason why you cannot work well into your sixties or beyond. I think think the oldest driver that I have met in this business was in his 80's. There are some who never drove a truck until they were in their sixties. If you want to do it there is no reason you can't as long as you are in good health and have a good background.

 

Isn't 50 the new 40

 

Many carriers prefer older drivers due to their work ethic. Many younger workers don't have a good work ethic as do older drivers.

 

this may not work but its a suggestion.
look into getting a dually and find a company that pulls RV's trailers.
not much work in that. and is right in your neighborhood of exp.

 

As a former business owner I preferred someone older. Due to the physical nature of my older business over 30 was considered older. Its #### hard to find someone under 30 with good work ethic. Before I left my old business I had lucked into a 24yo guy whos stepfather was a log truck driver. That kid had an amazing work ethic, respectful with a mind like a sponge learning everything I taught him. In 3 years he knew almost everything I did and when I left he took over my jobs. I told him if he would quit the pot he could easily get a $40k+/year job, but it's his only vice and he chose it. I will say it never once affected his work in all the time he was with me.

Age has it's advantages.

 

Come on in- don't let age stop you. Plenty of room for us all.

 

"Lost my job two years ago -- shipped overseas." Wow, that's a too common phrase these days. Not a gambling man myself, but betcha it was shipped to China. Well that's another topic for another day.
I know drivers that are on the road that are flirting with 80. A couple of weeks ago during orientation one driver was way into his 50s and starting out as a trainee.
Seems like you might have the advantage above others on handling a combination vehicle. But what breaks a person is the lifestyle of the industry, and this usually comes within the first year. The break of sleep patterns that a non driver is use too, finding a place to park around 2 am in the morning in the North-east, dealing with four wheelers and other truckdrivers. The slow shippers and consignees. Federal and state regulations. And not to mention the company that you haul for. Best thing to do is read the posts in here and if you know a truckdriver personally, see if you can ride along and get a taste of it before making a decision.

 

never too old