Does a 64 year old new trucker stand a chance of getting hired on as a company driver

Tell everyone where you live.

 

Wow....congrats on the work ethic! I'm retired my self after 33years with the same trucking company (GSF) retired in 2011 I'll be 65 in Jan. I'll try and answer these questions for ya!
1. You'll be told what you need to get by the school you choose for the most part , only thing is if you are gonna go into another state for school they may require a permit from that state.

2.The best way( not necessarily the cheapest) is to go to a community college that offers CDL training you'll get better training , there will less students ,(read more one to one with instructors) and most offer some kind of financial aid programs if needed. You will finish with your license and can then put yourself into the job market. if you go company sponsored most times you sign a contract to work for said company for 8 months to a year (schooling may be "free") but you can't go anywhere til the contract is up ..if you do do then you'll be billed for the school.

3.Remeber , you asked...you should be able to find work with a company...now that being said at 64 even if you're in excellant health/shape they might see you as a liability instead of an asset...not all but some...for the most part the ones that do , may be companies that you really don't like (those that just want a "warm body" behind the wheel)...this is just MY opinion now..others mileage may vary.

4.Like I said Kudos to your ethics...I started doing this as a teen working on a dairy farm with my uncle in the mid-60's...never did anything else but drive a truck. Lots of us retire sort of early and enjoy time with family , kids , grand kids, and hobbies....my passion is deer hunting and I've been enjoying my retirement to the hilt!

5. To start with 35k or maybe a little more , depending on the company and type of freight....my advice to you is try and get all the endorsements on your license that you can , get your Twic (this will enable to to enter any seaports) your haz-mat and tanker , they will open some better paying job opportunities for you...tanker is actually not too physically hard , and the pay is among the higher -end paying jobs in the industry....Might take a year or 2 to gain experience, but then you'll be able to make on a tanker job in the mid 60k to even the mid 70k range...Good Luck!

 

What's a phone guy? My uncle is 74 and still running for transport america as an owner operator. I don't know how he keeps passing his physical. Can be done if you are healthy.

 

A phone guy my guess would be those pesky telemarketers,lol.No offence NEWBY TYKE.

 

Some of my best drivers are over 60.
They are generally more conscientious.
Having said that I think it is down to genetics as not all 60+ are up to handling the job.

If the guy was psychically up to it I would hire a 64 year old.
My perfect age for hiring is 45 to 50 as they have got past most of life's drama that can spill in to the work environment.

I commend you on your work ethic but to be realistic you should not buy the driver shortage bull.
It is not as bigger problem as is made out.
You can do it but your age will shut some doors no doubt.

 

Being a yard dog can be very hard work and more stressful than being on the road, especially at grocery warehouses. Put your location on your profile so we know the hiring area you're in. It's OK if you want to be home every day though.

If you can afford community college CDL school, it's cheaper and as good as any private CDL school. Study and aquire the tanker/hazmat endorsements, TWIC and get a passport, then you will be prepared for the higher paying jobs right out of school.