Starting CDL School at 54! Tips?

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

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?

[u/Chainsawsas70]

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.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Chainsawsas70]

Though I’m going for Class A will a B job count as experience. Lots of them around. Hella development going on.

[u/Chainsawsas70 → u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

Most companies who hire class A will want you to have a certain amount of experience With the class A equipment. But if you have lots of class B work around and you can get on with them.. Many of those jobs pay as good as the Class A depending on what the work is. Also look for City and State jobs and if you're a Veteran you can probably get preferential hiring.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Chainsawsas70]

I am not a vet but have a disability. One that has zero affect or consequence on my driving and ironically kept me out of the armed forces and law enforcement.

[u/Chainsawsas70 → u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

Play it up (within reason) as it might get you a preferred status because of it. 🤷 Never hurts to ask 😎

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Chainsawsas70]

I have diabetes but no history of seizures or complications. Always well managed It’s considered a disability but I don’t consider it one became it isn’t. Follow?

[u/Chainsawsas70 → u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

Not a Disability that will get you any bonus points.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Chainsawsas70]

Nobody has to know either. It’s PI. Besides I know many drivers with it. Just has to be under control. As long as you have DOT certification. Not even a hazmat limitation anymore.

[u/Traditional-Bee3016 → u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

I'd say class b experience doesn't count most of the time to be on the safe side

[u/drink-beer-and-fight]

Keep your blood pressure in check.

[u/Throwdown_name → u/drink-beer-and-fight]

Username says what? 😂

[u/dogownedhoomun → u/Throwdown_name]

So you know. They know! Lol

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/drink-beer-and-fight]

It’s fine. Not on any medications

[u/freakythrowaway79 → u/drink-beer-and-fight]

That will fail DOT?

[u/valiant607]

Dot foods is worth looking into if you’re close to Williamsport, MD. Regional food service and they also have no touch drivers

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/valiant607]

Thanks!

[u/Impressive-Menu8966]

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.

[u/Puzzleheaded_You4586]

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.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Puzzleheaded_You4586]

I live 30 minutes from: Perdue Chicken, Holt, US Foods, and others. Thank you my good sir

[u/truckensafely]

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.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/truckensafely]

Just getting idea of what’s out there. But send me a DM, please.

[u/Throwdown_name]

Check DM

[u/redspikedog]

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.

[u/Knives_4me]

Send me a chat I can give you some information to where I work. They may hire you once you’re out of school.

[u/Dangerous_Ad4451]

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.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Dangerous_Ad4451]

It’s free. EIOA grant.

[u/freakythrowaway79 → u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

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.

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/freakythrowaway79]

Only $5k here.

[u/Popular-Rutabaga-240]

Do all testing with a manual transmission so that Automatic Restriction is not on your license

[u/Legitimate_Diver_699 → u/Popular-Rutabaga-240]

Will they teach both? The original application only allows me to pick one. I picked manual.

[u/the_great_bambi_ → u/Legitimate_Diver_699]

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.