9 Reasons to Consider Truck Driving Post-retirement
A boom in online shopping in the past few years has left transportation businesses in a sizeable deficit of truck drivers. According to the American Trucking Association, the country faced a shortage of 80,000 drivers in 2021. Over the next decade, businesses will need to hire a million new drivers to handle the escalating demand. Here are nine significant benefits of giving commercial truck driving a shot, especially after retirement:
Benefits of Truck Driving After Retirement
Truck drivers are skilled individuals who travel long distances to transport various goods, including consumer items, durables, machinery, and construction supplies. They’re also responsible for loading and unloading cargo. For those nearing retirement, this could be an opportunity to find a perfect part-time gig that offers multiple benefits.
Income After Retirement
Seniors who struggle to make ends meet or have little to no savings will notably benefit from this aspect. On average, truck drivers get an annual pay of $67,500. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the average hourly rate for big-rig drivers last year was about $23. The wage may vary depending on your location, the scale of the enterprise you work for, and your driving experience. Some companies also provide incentives for maintaining a high level of safety or traveling certain routes that other drivers don’t want to take.
Employee Perks
Many enterprises offer perks even to entry-level employees, like optional retirement plans, life insurance, or health and medical insurance that covers medical expenses and dental and visual benefits. This aspect is especially significant for senior citizens who rely on Medicare for health insurance that doesn’t cover all services. Apart from that, it can provide referral bonuses, paid holidays, and paid vacation time that can provide a blanket of financial security.
Traveling Professionally
A significant benefit in and of itself is getting paid to travel. Most people put off their vacation plans until retirement because they get caught up in their jobs and families for years. As a truck driver, you are required to visit places around the country. But even as you fulfill your employment responsibilities, you can explore neighboring tourist attractions and landmarks in your free time.
Team Trucking
The job entails long hours on the road away from family, which is why several companies let two truckers work together. As a result, a husband and wife can team up, take on more trucking projects and earn more. Such a benefit allows the couple to picnic together at serene spots, have more resting periods, cover more miles, travel faster, and spend more time together. Teams occasionally receive incentives to raise their annual earnings to over $100,000.
Flexible Schedule and Independence
Because retirees have a proven track record of reliability and a stable attitude and are reluctant to take unnecessary risks, truck companies have relaxed hiring standards for them. It includes flexible schedules. As a truck driver, you can choose whether to work on the weekdays and have weekends off or prefer day or night shifts. Working shifts other than the standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the trucking industry are relatively popular. Apart from that, you also enjoy certain independence. Your employer might specify the destination, but you can choose the route and the truck you drive.
Training Provided
Retirees come from different sectors to become truck drivers. Since trucking businesses are aware of that, a majority of them provide training after you sign up. So if you have never operated a truck before, it makes no difference. Training helps you prepare for operating long-haul trucks for long distances. A driver requires a commercial license (CDL), costing between $3,000 and $10,000. Some companies cover this cost or reimburse the fees partially or fully.
No Age Limit
In contrast to many professions, trucking doesn’t have a specified age limit. You can work as a driver as long as you drive safely and have good reflexes and vision. So this makes for a perfect option for anyone over 50.
Lucrative Industry Ladder
The trucking industry has seen exponential growth and demand in the past few years, yet there’s a considerable shortage of qualified truck drivers. Such an opportunity makes this profession a lucrative job as well as a profitable business option.
Opportunity to Start a Business
If the truck driving business suits you well, you can pursue better career opportunities in the industry with higher wages. You can get certified to teach at a truck driving institute, be an owner-operator or start your own trucking business. Some people invest their funds to purchase or lease a truck and operate it as an owner-operator. This advantage allows you to tie up with an experienced trucking firm and drive your vehicle.
How to Become a Truck Driver?
Truck drivers cannot drive with a regular license. They need to give a series of tests to qualify for a CDL, classified A, B, and C. Buses, dump trucks, and passenger vans fall within classes B and C, while tractor-trailers require Class A licenses. Many institutes help you to learn truck driving and get a license in as little as three weeks, as opposed to the usual eight weeks.
If you wish to go through the process independently, you can download a CDL manual from your state’s DMV website. The manual will help you to determine the license criteria and to submit your CDL application. You will be tested based on your road skills and knowledge. Apart from the written tests, you’ll also need to submit medical reports, vision tests, and personal information, including Social Security Number and residence and identity proofs. Military veterans with experience operating military buses or trucks get some extra benefits. You can skip the General Knowledge, Passenger, Tanker, or Hazmat written tests with relevant documents.
