Starting Late In Life

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Jesse R.'s Comment
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Been Paramedic for 25yrs and 56yo I have always wanted to learn Trucking but concerned about my age. No health issues thank God and no more kids at home. I want to try long haul driving and I do have a nephew and a younger brother that are truckers. I live in south Texas and don't know where to start ? Should I try driving with my family members first get the feel of the road then go to school ? Any info helpful fellas ??

Banks's Comment
member avatar

If a ride along is an option, I'd absolutely recommend it. I went on a ride along with long time member G-Town and it solidified my decision.

You're on a good site to start. There's a vast amount of information from different perspectives and different types of freight.

High Road CDL Training ProgramTruck Driver's Career Guide

Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

And when you're ready Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

You're not starting late, you're starting at a time that's perfect for you.

good-luck.gif

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.

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Hypertension:

Abnormally high blood pressure.

Sleep Apnea:

A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.

In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.

It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.

BMI:

Body mass index (BMI)

BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:

  • Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
  • Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit

It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.

Trucker Chris (CK)'s Comment
member avatar

Hey Jesse,

Welcome to TT! At 56, your not as old as you might think. I've seen people 65+ jump in and succeed. Company sponsored training is certainly a great way to go, and the route we typically recommend. When you're ready, be sure to check out Prime Inc. They've always treated me well and the pay is excellent (trainees make a guaranteed $900/wk!) We also have great facilities and equipment.

The first step in this journey is to take complete advantage of the High Road Training Program on this site, take a DOT physical and when you're ready, get your Class A permit, and be sure to get your tanker endorsement.

Good luck to you and feel free to ask any questions you might have. Those resources above will answer a lot of your questions too.

-Chris

DOT:

Department Of Transportation

A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.

State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.

Company Sponsored Training:

A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.

The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.

If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.

Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
G-Town's Comment
member avatar

I was 54 when I completed my Swift training. I’m 62 now and still enjoying my trucking career. You are not too old.

Good luck!

PJ's Comment
member avatar

Age is no problem. Thank you for your service. I retired from LE and started at 53. I’m 61 and rolling strong.

Wish you well!!

PackRat's Comment
member avatar

Don't believe those two above. Both are in their mid-70s, but actually appear older. They do always have great advice, so I give them a pass.

I am a youthful (literally!) 66 and have been OTR for the past six years.

You are not too old by any stretch. The national average age of a male OTR driver is around 52 years old.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
G-Town's Comment
member avatar

rofl-1.gif rofl-2.gif rofl-3.gif

Don't believe those two above. Both are in their mid-70s, but actually appear older. They do always have great advice, so I give them a pass.

I am a youthful (literally!) 66 and have been OTR for the past six years.

You are not too old by any stretch. The national average age of a male OTR driver is around 52 years old.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Texun88's Comment
member avatar

I started out at 54......Drove 5 years and loved every minute of it ( well not EVERY minute but most of them ) I'm in the Conroe area now but worked for a company out of Dallas I took a little time off but am getting back out there this spring

Anne A. (and sometimes To's Comment
member avatar

I started out at 54......Drove 5 years and loved every minute of it ( well not EVERY minute but most of them ) I'm in the Conroe area now but worked for a company out of Dallas I took a little time off but am getting back out there this spring

Howdy, Texun88 and welcome to Trucking Truth!!!

Any idea who you'll be driving for, this go'round? We have a LOT of Texans in & about this forum; your input will be valued, for sure!

(My guy and I are in the 'over/under mid50's range... I'm under, he's over . . . LoLoL!)

Welcome!

~ Anne & Tom ~

Kandyman's Comment
member avatar

Ffe, Raider Express, and Stevens all have company sponsored programs within Texas. I believe comp sponsored is the way to go.

"I got a sweet little thing I'm wantin' to see in Nashville And I'm down around Dallas and a'rollin' on fast tonight" dancing-banana.gif

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