Do Trucking Companies Hire Older Drivers?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Do trucking companies hire older drivers?

Companies are aggressively recruiting retirees

. Drivers more than 65 years old make up about 10 percent of commercial vehicle operators in the U.S. A five month investigation by CBS News looks at how the increase in older drivers translates to potential danger on the nation’s highways.

Is 50 too old to start truck driving?

Contrary to popular belief,

there is no such thing as being too old to be a truck driver

. In fact, many people do not start driving a truck until they are well into their 50s. The key to being a great truck driver at any age is to keep yourself healthy. You must also maintain a good driving record.

At what age do most truck drivers retire?

Currently, the average retirement age for truck drivers is 62 years old. However, according to the OOIDA, most independent drivers plan on retiring at

67 years of age

. While the average retirement age for drivers is a good estimate, it does not accurately reflect how individual drivers feel about retirement.

Can seniors drive trucks?

What is the average age of a truck driver?

The average age of American truck drivers is currently around

49 years old

, and it is not uncommon at all for people in their 50’s and 60’s to get their CDL and start driving.

Is truck driving hard on your body?


Truckers also face greater incidence of the musculoskeletal problems that accompany excessive sitting

. These include back and shoulder pain, arthritis and more. Prolonged sitting also increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which happens when a blood clot forms in a deep vein.

Who is the oldest truck driver in America?

At 97,

Floyd Van Alstyne

, claimed to be the oldest truck driver in America. The Vermont man drives log trucks and dump trucks for sawmill on his family farm. Now, at 99, he was honored by the town of Barnard for his years of service.

Is it worth being a truck driver?


Truck drivers can earn a good income

. How much does a truck driver make? On average drivers earn $50,909, while Over The Road (OTR) drivers who haul freight over long distances earn on average nearly $64,000 per year. Private fleets- those that deliver freight only for one company- often have much higher levels of pay.

What is the best trucking company to work for?

  • Gypsum Express Ltd. …
  • H.O. …
  • Modular Transportation. …
  • Old Dominion Freight Line Inc. …
  • Prime Inc. …
  • Riverside Transportation Inc. …
  • TeamOne Logistics. …
  • Wadhams Enterprises.

Do truck drivers have shorter lives?


Being in the truck driving profession contributes to a shorter lifespan for truck drivers

– shorter than for others in other occupations. In fact, it has been said a truck driver’s life span can have as much as 16 years cut off of a normal life expectancy as compared to others.

Is trucking a good second career?

Overall,

truck driving can be a fantastic second career opportunity for many Americans

. Whether you are retired and looking for some extra income or you are looking to make a career switch, the trucking industry could be the place for you.

How do you become an over the road truck driver?

  1. Pass Your State’s Regular Driver’s License Exam. …
  2. Complete High School or the GED. …
  3. Start Professional Training. …
  4. Earn Your CDL and Other Relevant Endorsements. …
  5. Find Job Placement Assistance. …
  6. Complete Your Employer’s Finishing Program. …
  7. Latest Posts.

How physical is being a truck driver?


All professional truck drivers must hold an up-to-date physical certification at all times

. Typically, drivers are required to get physicals every 1-2 years. It is important to meet the standards of the DOT physical to ensure both the truck driver’s safety on the road as well as the safety of other motorists.

Why are so many truckers quitting?

There are many individuals with the training and skills needed to fill these truck driving job positions. But due to

low pay and less than desirable working conditions

, many are leaving the industry, in search of a better career.

Why do truck drivers quit?


Burnout impacts drivers’ personal life, health, and job performance

. It can also cause them to quit. Research into the link between burnout and turnover in trucking generally analyzes three dimensions of burnout: overwhelming exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, and inefficacy.

Is there a demand for truck drivers?


Employment of heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers is projected to grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030

, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 231,100 openings for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

What disease do truck drivers get?

It can also raise your risk for

heart disease and stroke

, two leading causes of death in the United States. We found 26% of truck drivers said they have hypertension, compared to 24% of the US working population. Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high.

Are truck drivers overweight?

Statistics from the National Institute of Health show that

more than 50 percent of truck drivers are obese

, compared to the national rate of 26.7 percent.

Why are truck drivers so unhealthy?

How often are truck drivers home?

The industry has changed a lot over the years. Most companies no longer expect drivers to be out for months on end; instead they have their long haul drivers’ home

every 7 to 12 days

. Home time will vary, but generally drivers’ can expect 3 to 4 days in.

How many miles do truckers drive a day?

If a truck driver adheres to federal and laws (dependent on state and interstate), they will average about 55 to 60 miles per hour; this means that most truck drivers average around

605 to 650 miles

per working day—although mileage varies depending on the route, traffic, and weather conditions.

What’s the oldest you can get your license?

The youngest age in any state that a driver can obtain a learner’s permit is 14 years old, and the highest age is

16 years old

. Restricted licenses can be obtained anywhere from 14.5 years to 17 years old, and full licenses are granted between 16 to 18 years old.

What is the hardest part of being a truck driver?

Which trucking company pays new drivers most?


Swift Transportation

is the highest paying company for rookie drivers. Not only can new truck drivers get their schooling through Swift, they can go right into employment with the company when the schooling and training are complete.

What type of truck driving pays the most?

  • Ice Road Drivers. …
  • Oversized Load. Salary: $71,442 per year. …
  • Specialty Vehicle Haulers. Salary: $82,099. …
  • Team Drivers. Salary: $96,573. …
  • Private Fleet. Salary: $95,999 – $110,000 per year. …
  • Mining Industry Drivers. Salary: $58,862. …
  • Liquids / Tanker. Salary: $88,024. …
  • Hazmat Drivers. Salary: $65,466.

What is the safest trucking company?

  • Roehl Transport.
  • Bison Transport.
  • FedEx Custom Critical.
  • FTC Transportation, Inc.
  • RedGuard.

What trucking company gives you the most home time?

  • Home Daily: Our local truck driving jobs offer drivers daily home time. …
  • Regional and Dedicated fleets offer weekly home time, or get up to 26 weeks a year off with our HOMEtime PLUSTM 7/7 Fleet.

How do truckers stay fit?

  1. Take Advantage of What’s Around. …
  2. Keep Healthy Snacks. …
  3. Grab Some Small Equipment. …
  4. 15 Minutes, No Matter What. …
  5. Work Out While Driving. …
  6. Eat Three Meals. …
  7. Log Your Exercise And Nutrition.

How many hours should a truck driver sleep?

What is the oldest truck driver?

Why do truck drivers smoke so much?


Truck drivers have a stressful, challenging job and suffer from many health problems more often than the general population

. This makes the link between smoking and truck drivers especially problematic, so helping them to quit should form part of a comprehensive strategy to help improve their health overall.

Is truck driving a career?

How do you drive a truck?

How do you drive a semi truck?

Is being a truck driver lonely?

Stay Active in the Trucking Community


The life of a long haul driver can be lonely, no doubt about it

. With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy your time on the road and get plenty of interaction with the people you love.

Are truck drivers happy?

At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out,

truck drivers rate their career happiness 2.7 out of 5 stars

which puts them in the bottom 10% of careers.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.