Age Required To Become A Trucker
Topic 22956 | Page 1
You'll want to wait until you're 21. You can't drive interstate until then, and most companies can't insure anyone under 21 anyhow. That's why some require you to be 23, for insurance purposes.
There will be plenty of opportunities for you at 21 years old.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
You must be at least 21 to drive “interstate” (meaning driving into and through the lower 48), and 18 to drive “intrastate” (meaning within the state that issued your license).
Most of the carriers that offer Paid CDL Training Programs require a student driver to be 21.
The absolute best thing you can do from now until your 21st birthday is to protect your license; don’t speed, don’t drink and drive, drive with responsibility, prudence and respect for the privilege. Try to maintain gainful employment during this time and stay out of trouble.
Good luck.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).
Intrastate:
The act of purchasers and sellers transacting business while keeping all transactions in a single state, without crossing state lines to do so.
Eli K., As always read and listen to the wise reply from G-Town. The protection of your driver's license is of the most important thing right now so when the time comes to transition to a CDL-A you will have no problems. There is always the possibility of obtaining a Class B and driving a straight truck of sorts but like Brett said most companies can not and will not hire you because of insurance regulations. Some politicians are considering a push for 18 year olds to be CDL-A certified to reduce the "driver shortage". Don't bet on it and don't even consider it a possibility. Keep a level head, good attitude and a safe and clean driving record under then. Good luck
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
You could start today. You only need to be 18 to drive for the Army, Navy or Air Force. You'll get experience driving a truck while serving your country. Many carriers recognize military driving experience towards their experience requirements and their pay scales. I started out at 40 cpm because CRST gave me credit for my years of service. Other student drivers started out at 26 cpm.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
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Advice For New Truck Drivers Becoming A Truck Driver Getting Your CDL Understanding The Laws
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Hello i am 19 yo and I know I want to become a truck driver but I am not sure if the required age is 21 or 23 ? Some companies says 21 and others 23 . Thank you