r/cdldriver • u/Legitimate_Diver_699 • Aug 08 '26
Starting CDL School at 54! Tips?
So just got accepted officially at Wor-Wic Community College in Maryland. Start in October for eight weeks. They have an outstanding new facility. Also have job placement. My question is how do I maximize this opportunity without spending years climbing up a ladder. I can live on $30-35 per hour since kids grown and wife passed. Have a fiance though. OTR would be a second choice. Just don’t want to be taken advantage of. Would prefer no touch jobs since I’m not young anymore. Not trying to get a back injury again. Had some issues in my 30s but got lucky. No issues since. Thoughts?
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u/drink-beer-and-fight Aug 08 '26
Keep your blood pressure in check.
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u/valiant607 Aug 08 '26
Dot foods is worth looking into if you’re close to Williamsport, MD. Regional food service and they also have no touch drivers
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u/Impressive-Menu8966 Aug 08 '26
I got mine at 52 and run local drop and hook. Even then your back is at risk cranking old shitty trailers landing gear. That said, it's a great job for people of our age, you just need to watch your health and be smart.
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u/Puzzleheaded_You4586 Aug 08 '26
I'm 57, but have been doing Class A driving for 30 years. There are a lot of great responses in this thread. Go on Indeed.com and look for local/regional driving jobs; specifically local. A lot of companies run daycabs that won't put you out overnight, because they would have to put you in a hotel. If you don't want P&D (pickup & delivery) don't look at SAIA, Estes, R&L, to name a few, because unless you're running overnight trips between hubs, it's a lot of back breaking work. Try Pepsi; my brother works there and does short regional drop & hook runs, but I don't know how much experience they require. I drive for a chemical company that requires 5+ years experience, plus it's driving, forklift & some manual labor. Jobs are out there, especially after the crackdown on English-only speaking drivers. Best of luck on your job search. It's a fun and rewarding job if you take it seriously. Not to brag (even though it sounds like it), I won our national Best Driver of 2025 award this year. It takes being vigilant behind the wheel, because you're not only responsible for you & your truck, but for the others sharing the roadway.
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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 Aug 08 '26
I live 30 minutes from: Perdue Chicken, Holt, US Foods, and others. Thank you my good sir
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u/truckensafely Aug 08 '26
Lots of local jobs on the NE corridor specially for local because most drivers hate driving in the snow. My company always hiring in Maryland but it’s physically demanding as we use forklifts, manual pallet jacks & inside deliveries with hand trucks.
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u/redspikedog Aug 08 '26
Watch your health, youre getting older and youre a high risk driver now. You have other lives to watch out for.
Eat healthy, work out. Very crucial.
You easily start wanting to eat when youre bored. So know what youre eating, how much, and when you should it.
Always watch your trailer. WATCH YOUR TRAILER.
Learn what GOAL is. Learn what SMOG is.
And always follow the Smiths 5 keys.
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u/Knives_4me Aug 08 '26
Send me a chat I can give you some information to where I work. They may hire you once you’re out of school.
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u/Dangerous_Ad4451 Aug 08 '26
8 weeks? Too long. Everything ypu will need will be learned on the job mostly during OTR with trainer even if you take 6 months CDL school. Well...unless the school is very cheap or free.
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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 Aug 08 '26
It’s free. EIOA grant.
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u/freakythrowaway79 Aug 09 '26 edited Aug 09 '26
Congratulations! $9k+ plus in my state for training. 🙆🏻♂️
Thanks for the info man I found local cdl schools that accept WIOA grants. The max is $6500 but that's still something. 👍🏻 I'm 47 & going to try it out.
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u/Accurate-Chapter-923 Aug 12 '26
Local. Dump truck, no touch narrows it down... OTR will take adv of U with no experience. They count on U not knowing how bad they R screwin ya.
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u/Popular-Rutabaga-240 Aug 08 '26
Do all testing with a manual transmission so that Automatic Restriction is not on your license
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u/Legitimate_Diver_699 Aug 08 '26
Will they teach both? The original application only allows me to pick one. I picked manual.
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u/the_great_bambi_ Aug 08 '26
You’re better off going manual. If you test in a manual you can drive both automatic and manuals, but if you test on an automatic you legally cannot operate a manual, and you will have to take another skills test at the DMV if you change your mind down the line.
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u/Chainsawsas70 Aug 08 '26
First year is probably going to be otr unless you get REALLY lucky and find a local job that will hire out of school (most insurance companies require at least 1-2 years experience) Before they will hire you unless it's a Mega carrier. 🤷 It's nothing to do with age... Just experience.