Should young drivers consider getting a Class A CDL?
Younger drivers can absolutely become professional truck drivers. Most states require that Class A CDL licensees be at least 18 years old, though you should be sure to confirm with your DMV what is required for your specific state.
Truck driving can be an exciting choice for individuals in their 20s. Many people in this age group love the thrill of hitting the open road and getting to experience new places every day.
Not only is truck driving a fun job for younger people, it’s also a practical one. Truck drivers are often in demand across the country and these kinds of jobs can’t be outsourced to other nations, which means that you’ll have pretty good job security .
In addition, truck driving jobs generally offer great starting pay and benefits. Recent graduates of TDI’s Class A CDL training school, for instance, typically earn between $40,000 to $78,000 annually. That’s not including standard benefits like health insurance, 401ks, life insurance, and more. At TDI, we also provide job placement assistance for the rest of your life. With an over 80% job placement rate, you can rest assured that we’ll be there throughout your career to help you whenever you want to find or change jobs.
A career as a truck driver for a young person can not only be a great ride, but set you up for a successful future.
Is truck driving a good career choice for individuals who are middle-aged or older?
It’s definitely not too late for people who are middle-aged or older to become professional truck drivers. In fact, the average age of CDL holders in the United States is 46 years old.
If you’ve always wanted to travel but have never had the time or money, becoming a professional truck driver is a great way to explore new places while earning a comfortable wage. Pursuing a career in truck driving allows you to visit family members or friends who live in different parts of the country while making a living.
If you’re in your 40s or older, you may have started to think about retirement funding. Many truck driving jobs offer 401k retirement funds as a benefit, so whether you’ve already started saving or just begun planning, truck driving can help you reach your retirement goals. Some truckers even choose to continue driving professionally part-time during their retirement as a way to supplement their Social Security, pension, or other income.
Whatever career you’ve had previously, truck drivers are often in demand, as there is a national shortage. So you can rest easy knowing that your new chosen career offers plenty of job security.
It’s never too late to make a career change to truck driving. Many older adults love the schedule flexibility, ever-changing scenery, and financial freedom that this job provides.
Are there health conditions that can prevent you from becoming a truck driver?
Although having a chronic condition or a disability doesn’t automatically mean you can’t drive a truck, Class A CDL holders need to be in good enough physical health so that they can safely operate a large vehicle on public roads while protecting both themselves and those around them. Here’s more information about the specific health facets and conditions that your DOT physical exam will evaluate:
- Vision: You’ll need to have 20/40 vision acuity in both eyes with or without contacts or glasses. Professional truck drivers also must have at least 70 degrees of horizontal vision in each eye and the ability to distinguish different colors on traffic lights and road signs.
- Hearing: During the DOT physical, the Certified Medical Examiner will test your ability to hear somebody whispering from five feet away. If you have assistive hearing devices, you can have this test performed on you while wearing these.
- Cardiovascular health: Professional truck drivers must have a blood pressure reading of 140/90mmHg or lower. If you have cardiovascular diseases or have had surgeries, you’ll need documentation from your cardiologist that these issues do not affect your ability to drive safely.
- Drug use: The DOT doctor will likely test your urine for narcotics, amphetamines, or illegal drugs. Professional truck drivers are not allowed to use any of these so as to optimize their safety on the road.
- Medications: You’ll need to disclose all prescriptions and over-the-counter medication that you take. Any medications that could potentially affect your ability to react rapidly to new situations or that could make you feel drowsy might mean that you’re not eligible to receive your Class A CDL.
- Diabetes or kidney issues: The urine test also functions as a means of evaluating your kidney functions and if you have diabetes. While these health conditions don’t automatically disqualify you from becoming a professional truck driver, you will need documentation from a health professional that it’s safe for you to operate a commercial vehicle.
What happens during the DOT physical exam?
At TDI, we include your DOT physical as part of your CDL training. We make sure it’s easy to get you an appointment and you know exactly what to expect when you arrive. But if you’re interested in knowing more now, here’s what to expect when you go in for your DOT physical examination:
- Vision test: The vision test will assess your ability to see things both at a distance and close up on vertical and horizontal planes. They’ll also evaluate if you have color blindness that would hinder your ability to detect different traffic color lights or road signs.
- Hearing test: The hearing test evaluates how well you can hear forced whispering from a distance of five feet away. Truck drivers need to be able to hear noises such as ambulance sirens, vehicle brakes, and car horns.
- Blood pressure: The medical examiner will check your blood pressure with a cuff to assess your health. They will likely also take your pulse.
- Urine test: The urine test determines if you have any issues with organs like your liver or kidneys. It’s often combined with a drug test.
The DOT medical examiner will also perform a thorough physical exam. Here’s an overview of what they’ll evaluate and why:
- Eyes: The doctor will perform a visual inspection of your eyes to check for issues like cataracts, glaucoma, or macular degeneration to ensure you can see well enough to drive.
- Ears: A physical inspection of your ears can provide the physician with information such as if you have a tympanic membrane or perforated eardrum that could impede your ability to hear.
- Mouth and throat: You’ll be examined for potential challenges with swallowing or breathing.
- Extremities: The doctor will check if you have any impaired or missing extremities that could affect your ability to operate a vehicle safely. If you do have a condition related to an extremity, be sure to bring medical records from your regular medical provider.
- General appearance: The doctor will see if you appear alert and healthy.
Why do truck drivers need physical exams?
The FMCSA is the national agency responsible for overseeing regulations and best practices related to commercial drivers and licenses. One of their primary goals is to reduce collisions, crashes, injuries, and other accidents involving trucks or buses. A key strategy that the FMCSA uses to lower the number and severity of these types of auto accidents is to hold their truck drivers to certain physical standards to optimize their chances of driving safely while sharing the road.
What should I bring with me to my DOT physical exam?
Here are the items that we recommend bringing to your DOT physical exam:
- Your non-commercial driver’s license: Make sure that your non-commercial driver’s license is current and not expired.
- Medication list: If you take prescription or over-the-counter medication, bring a list of these. Include each medication’s name, the dosage, how often you take it, and the name and phone number of your prescribing physician.
- Assistive vision or hearing devices: If you typically wear glasses or contact lenses, bring these with you or wear them to the appointment. Similarly, if you use hearing aids, bring these along and make sure that your devices are charged.
- Medical records for certain conditions: If you have pre-existing conditions that could affect your ability to be a professional truck driver, such as diabetes or heart disease, bring medical records related to these. The DOT Certified Medical Examiner needs as much information as possible about your health to determine if you could safely operate a commercial vehicle on public roads.
If you do your CDL training with us at Truck Driver Institute, we include your DOT physical exam as part of your training. That means you’ll know how to show up prepared with help from our team, rather than having to figure it out on your own before classes start.
