New Career At 50?

Chuck, although I had a CDL-B about since about 15 years prior, I didn't get my CDL-A until I was 57. Trucking has become a great third career for me, and I love it...very nice change of pace from office/management work. Best wishes to you.

So I am looking into a career in trucking and trying to read as much helpful information that I can to try and make a wise decision as much as one can. I almost went into trucking about 10-11 years ago but I still had young children at the time and it just didn't fit into the life we had at the time so I went another direction. Well now that my children are all grown up and out of the house it is time to revisit this and see about life as a truck driver. I am currently working as a Nurse and one may say why in the heck would you want to be a truck driver and make this kind of change in your life now? Well my answer to that question is this, I want to be able to be my own boss as much as one can when working for a trucking company. At least being on the road it is just you, the truck and the road. That is my take on it anyways and if I am wrong then please tell me. The other reason is that while I am still young enough to where I still have to work for another 20 years at least before I can retire I would like to try something else without asking myself what if. I have just become a member of TruckingTruth so I am looking for truth to guide me in the right direction with tips from others that have made the same choice I am considering. As with any midlife changes and choices there is a lot of anxiety with them as to whether one should make such a leap. Thank you listening.

Thank you to all that have replied thus far, the responses have been very helpful to me. It is nice to see many so far have also made the jump as I am looking to make and are happy with there decisions to do so. I am trying to read as much information that one can in helping me to make a wise decision on my next move. In attempting to acquire my CDL I am leaning towards applying to a company that can provide me with the training needed to get the CDL and then put me into a truck and start earning a living and gaining the experience needed to be a good truck driver. This process is in its beginning stages so it is important for me to do all I can to line things up as much as one can when taking on a new career. I hope I am not thinking incorrectly in this. Have some of you had similar questions or concerns when making the switch?

Chuck your right on point, but you have too be careful in your reading. Some folks just like to complain. You could give them a million dollars in gold and they would complain it’s too heavy to tote, lol. All the major companies that offer schooling are that large for a good reason, they have it figured out in this industry. Look at types of freight they haul, the types of equipment they use, hometime policy and such when deciding which one you think would suit you the best. When I started several made me an offer and in the end I choose Roehl because of their hometime policy and at the time were the only school I found that didn’t lock you into a 1 or more year contract. All of them run late model equipment just some have different brands. It comes down to personal preference on your part. All freight has its own quirks, just the way it is. If having a pet is important to you then look at their policy on that. Just a few examples of things.

Hey Chuck! Welcome to the forum!

I will be 50 in 3 months and I am in my 2nd week of orientation/training with a company and couldn’t be happier. After almost 20 years in public education, making a career change was a huge decision, as you well know, and was a shock to a lot of the people that are close to me. (My Wife is super supportive so that’s all that matters)

I weighed all the options after deciding what was important to me, in terms of hometime, pay, equipment, benefits and type of freight hauled and finally applied, and secured a job.

Like I say, I’m a newbie in training but couldn’t be happier and have not once regretted this decision.

This forum was a source for me as I was trying to sort it all out and even the geriatrics on here are super helpful. 😬

Good luck!

even the geriatrics on here are super helpful. 😬

Listen here you young whipper snapper, I represent that statement!

They prefer the terms fossil and relic, lol.

See, you CAN teach an old dog, new tricks....

They prefer the terms fossil and relic, lol.

See, you CAN teach an old dog, new tricks....

Please refer to my recent post: Two Dinosaurs Walk Into A Restaurant

They prefer the terms fossil and relic, lol.

See, you CAN teach an old dog, new tricks....

Please refer to my recent post: Two Dinosaurs Walk Into A Restaurant

That is what I was referencing, lol. I'm curious, which one is the fossil and which one is the relic, hehehe

Boy these older guys seem to take their age a little personal.....LOL. It's comic relief so thanks for that guys. It is reassuring to find out that I am not too old to do this and want to pursue this career. I am looking into two schools currently. I like some of the things that they offer and how they seem to be very conscious of how they treat their drivers. They also have many years in the business so that is also another bonus as well. TMC is one and Roehl is the other. I have to continue looking at some others to see what I think may suit me the most.

Well I am 56 and starting over again and making this my final career and I start my training at Wil-Trans on Feb. 12.

Im excited and nervous all at the same time but I am use to being out on the highways I have in the past 16+ years driven well over a Million miles accident and ticket free.

So age is just a number!

Curt

Wil-Trans:

Darrel Wilson bought his first tractor in 1980 at age 20, but, being too young to meet OTR age requirements, he leased the truck out and hired a driver.

Through growth and acquisition, Wil-Trans now employs over 200 drivers, and has a long-standing partnership with Prime, Inc. to haul their refrigerated freight. The family of businesses also includes Jim Palmer Trucking and O & S Trucking.