We seem to hear a lot of people ask if they are too old to get started as a truck driver, or are at least curious what the typical age is for someone in the industry.
The truth is, there’s a wide variety of ages that get involved in truck driving. Due to the national driver shortages, trucking companies everywhere need more people to choose this profession. Therefore, people from all types of backgrounds are able to start right into a rewarding career.
Physical and cognitive abilities are better indicators of your ability to drive a truck safely. Having good eyesight, passing a drug screening, and being free from certain medical conditions may qualify you for a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
How Old Are Truck Drivers On Average?
Depending on who you ask and where they got their data, many report the average age of a truck driver is 48 years old. All you need to do is meet the minimum age requirements for the kind of driving you want to do.
You might be interested in over the road truck driving jobs if you long to travel to places you’ve never seen before. The minimum age to get started is 18 years old for drivers who don’t go across state lines, or 21 years old for drivers that will travel into different states.
Truck Driver Education: What Is Required?
When considering a career, paying for school is a major concern. You have some good news if you’re interested in becoming a professional truck driver. All truck drivers must earn a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) from a training school registered with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and in many cases there are grants and tuition assistance programs available to help qualified individuals. For those that are paying their own way, it’s common to get some type of tuition reimbursement from many freight companies that offer it as an employment benefit.
The CDL training program covers a variety of topics and exercises related to driving tractor trailers. Afterward, you must pass the CDL test, which includes a road test, skills test, and vehicle inspection.
What Are The Physical Requirements For Truck Drivers?
A DOT Physical will evaluate the ability for an individual to become a commercial driver and will check vision, hearing and general health & wellbeing.
What is a Driver’s Work Schedule Like?
The number of hours a truck driver must work depends on the vehicle they drive and the jobs they take. A local delivery driver will work much differently than a long haul driver.
All things considered, age isn’t much of a factor in the career of being a professional driver. Being ready and willing to take the first step to getting started is all it takes. Contact us today to learn more about how you can become a professional driver by training at CDL Academy.
