How old is too old to be a truck driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Jimbo56, Jul 15, 2012.

  1. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

    7,031
    8,622
    Sep 3, 2010
    0
    I look for more restrictions on age before long. Most will retire before 70, but as long as a driver can pass the physical I see no reason why they should be forced to retire. When people have been active for so many years it is difficult to stop all at once. Some can continue driving well into their 80's or perhaps longer. Why penalize anyone just because they are getting older. There are so many younger drivers who are not in as good of health and not as safe as many older drivers. For the most part, older drivers are considered more valuable and reliable than younger drivers. It is one of the few professions where age is considered an asset rather than a liability. As more decoders continue to meddle in our business, that is likely to change in the coming years. It isn't usually older drivers who are involved in serious accidents involving big trucks. It is more often a younger driver with limited experience.
     
    Jimbo56 Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Hegemeister

    Hegemeister Road Train Member

    1,912
    1,660
    Jun 16, 2012
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    0
    They can document age discrimination legally?
     
  4. Jimbo56

    Jimbo56 Light Load Member

    74
    42
    Nov 12, 2008
    Pace, Florida
    0
    I have never seen a private business advertise a maximum age limit. They often set minimum age which, as far as I know, is dictated by their insurance. The Governent does it all the time in their federal hiring for law enforcement and military. Federal law enforcement MUST retire before age 57 which atomatically puts your maximum age at 36 for a new hire. Thats the first time I have heard of a trucking company setting a maximum age, but you learn something new every day. Must be an insurance requirement. They seem to be able to get away with most anything.
     
  5. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

    7,031
    8,622
    Sep 3, 2010
    0

    I am surprised that any private company would advertise a maximum age. The government can discriminate and nothing will come of it, but when private companies discriminate, they are usually sued or get a visit from the government.
     
  6. Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

    3,270
    2,540
    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
    0
    The Federal law for age discrimination covers ages 40 to 70. So after 70 you are employed at the discretion of either the company or the insurance carrier.

    But the other week I met a driver that was 82, and stilll doing over the road.
     
  7. Hegemeister

    Hegemeister Road Train Member

    1,912
    1,660
    Jun 16, 2012
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    0
    Remember, there is a chance that some dingbat that does'nt know what they are doing wrote this ad and it might fall down on them.
     
  8. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

    10,555
    5,746
    Oct 22, 2010
    32179
    0
    plenty of other companies have ads stating age retrictions......

    nothing illegal about it..........
     
  9. Hegemeister

    Hegemeister Road Train Member

    1,912
    1,660
    Jun 16, 2012
    Mechanicsburg, PA
    0
    It figures. My career there is age discrimination. But the rest of the world cannot discriminate.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.