Start driving after retiring from an office job?

I was in a nearly identical situation as you, and decided to go for it. Now I get to live out my childhood dream of driving a tractor-trailer on the Cross Bronx Expressway! Seriously, though, I'm very happy I did it. There's a learning curve like for any new activity, and enough challenges and frustrations to keep it interesting, but mostly it's very relaxing and pleasant. Essentially I get paid to hold a steering wheel while listening to audio books, and because of that, I'm 'reading' more, and more widely, than at least since high school. I love it.

No-touch might seem appealing, but sitting for prolonged periods is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Unless you have some physical limitations, a job that gets you up and moving around to load or unload once in a while is a better choice.

$8k seems very high, but I did this in 2021, before the ELDT requirements took effect, so maybe the $2,100 tuition I paid is a thing of the past. But my first employer, like many others, offers tuition reimbursement. Get with one of those companies, and all you're really doing is fronting the money until you've put in enough time (6 months in my case) to qualify. Some LTL companies have dock-to-driver programs where you do a shift on the dock, then go train to be a driver. After a few months, you're eligible for a driver position.

I'm disappointed by all the negativity in some of the responses you've gotten, and don't think it's justified.

Not true. I'm one of many drivers who were local from day one.

This is good advice. I applied to one place that didn't have my school on their safety department's list of approved training programs, so I went with the one that did. And after I'd completed six months with them, they reimbursed me for my tuition.

I'm based out of Kearny NJ, which isn't as far north or east as Boston, but most people would agree still qualifies as northeast US, and I think it's a great area to do this. And for what it's worth, I do trips to Massachusetts on a weekly basis. Around here, high population density, lots of business activity, and high household incomes mean lots of things moving by truck, and plenty of driver jobs. As a local driver, trying to find parking won't be part of your life. You'll be at truck stops only to fuel and maybe to meet a relay driver. While there, you can feel sorry for the poor OTR drivers who have to spend ten hours off-duty in places like that. And at least in my experience, if you don't do anything too flagrantly illegal, harsh enforcement isn't an issue.

Local, you're paid hourly. I get frustrated sitting in traffic or being delayed at a shipper or receiver, but that's just a personality flaw. The reality is I get paid the same for my time whether I'm driving, sitting in traffic, or waiting to get loaded.

If you're overweight or have high blood pressure, those are health issues you should be addressing regardless of how it affects your ability to qualify for a DOT medical card.

 

57. I'm 60 now.

 

I paid 2500 for CDL school at a local community College, that was 8 years ago but from what I heard its still the same price. You could go to one of those companies Chinatown mentioned and they will take it out of your paychecks for like 12-18 months. Also when you go that route the price will be at least double or more of what it will be if your paid for school yourself. My fist company paid all my tuition back, ( added in to my paychecks) seems it took about a year. I was like you, retired from an another career. I say go for it. I have enjoyed it and it's a dang good trade to have in your $$$ tool box.

 

Trucking company cdl schools are usually free if you agree to work there 12 months. There may be variations, but you can ask about that. Personally, I wouldn't care as long as I got a good paying job out of the deal.

 

Things arent the same as they were a few years ago

 

back when they first started that nonsense, they were talking like "if your neck is a certain size" then you're gonna HAVE to get a cpap machine. I was just waiting for them to tell me that on my next physical. Oh yeah it is? That's normal for me-My whole family is like that, we come from a long line of circus freaks!

 

One question: do you wear a football or motorcycle helmet on that stretch of road-to protect the top of your skull?