What Is the Truck Driver Age Limit?

Many young people are considering getting a CDL instead of a traditional four-year college degree and ask, “What is the truck driver age limit?” Currently, every state has a minimum age requirement of 18 years to get your commercial driver’s license. However, federal guidelines require drivers to be 21 years old to haul cargo across state lines.

So while you may legally be able to drive at 18, most trucking companies require you to be 21 before you can get hired so that you can take on more jobs. All companies have their own rules, and some have an even higher age minimum. In addition to the age requirement, you also need to be physically able and healthy to do the job.

If you get your CDL at 18 and decide you want to become a truck driver before the age of 21, you may have luck getting a job with a company that only travels intrastate. But most truckers say that opportunities for those under 21 are difficult to come by. If you’re interested in getting started early, you can spend the extra time studying for your CDL or get a job driving regular motor vehicles or on a construction site. That way, you’ll have plenty of related experience when you turn 21.

What Is the Maximum Truck Driver Age Limit?

Many truck drivers decided to take their CDL test after retiring and take on hauling freight as a second career. This is a popular option, because unlike some fields, there is no maximum age limit for truck drivers.

When people are looking for a change in careers or a new job following retirement, they often turn to truck driving because of the ability to see the country, the industry’s flexible hours, and many opportunities for increased pay.

If you’re older, as long as you’re able to pass the CDL test and meet the Department of Transportation’s physical requirements, you shouldn’t have any problems becoming a truck driver.