He Wanted to Drive Trucks Since the '70s. At 55, He Finally Got His CDL

A lifelong trucking dream finally comes true at Zeta Driving School in Kansas City.

Some dreams don't fade. They wait.

For Jeffrey Cotterman, the dream of driving a big rig started in the late 1970s, sitting in a movie theater watching Smokey and the Bandit and Convoy. He was just a kid. He thought you had to be 21 to drive a truck, so he picked a different path. He went into manufacturing and built a career as a Tool and Die maker.

But the pull of trucking never went away.

On April 28, 2026, at 55 years old, Jeffrey walked across the Zeta Driving School stage with his CDL in hand.

Why Jeffrey chose Zeta Driving School

Jeffrey didn't pick Zeta on a whim. He researched. A lot.

“I done a lot of research into schools and Zeta kept coming up as my best choice because of the reputation and the location,” he said.

That's the kind of decision a lot of our students make. Adults changing careers do their homework. They ask around. They read reviews. They look at where the school is, who's teaching, and what graduates say after they're hired.

Jeffrey's takeaway after four weeks: “Thank you to all the staff and teachers at Zeta driving school for their commitment and expertise.”

Is 55 too old to get a CDL?

No. There is no upper age limit for a commercial driver's license in the United States. If you can pass the DOT physical, you can drive.

Trucking is one of the few careers where age can actually be an advantage. Carriers want drivers who are reliable, safety-minded, and serious about the work. A lot of Zeta's graduates are in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. People changing careers. People retiring from physically demanding jobs. People finally chasing something they always wanted to do.

Jeffrey is proof. He started his CDL training at 55 and now has a license that opens doors at carriers across the country.

Can I switch from manufacturing to trucking?

Yes. Manufacturing skills carry over to trucking better than most people realize.

Mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, comfort with long shifts, and respect for safety procedures all transfer. Tool and die makers, machinists, welders, line workers, these are people who already know how to show up, follow a process, and work with heavy equipment.

If you're coming from the shop floor, you'll find a lot of CDL training feels familiar.

How long does CDL training take at Zeta?

About four weeks of full-time training. Zeta runs small classes, so every student gets real time behind the wheel, not just a turn at the back of a long line.

In four weeks you'll learn:

•        Pre-trip and post-trip inspections

•        Backing maneuvers, alley docking, and yard skills

•        On-road driving in real Kansas City traffic

•        DOT regulations, hours of service, and logbook basics

•        Test prep for the Missouri CDL skills exam

Then you test for your license.

Where is Zeta Driving School located?

Zeta Driving School is at 3201 E. 85th Street, Kansas City, MO 64132.

We serve students from across the Kansas City metro, including Lenexa, Overland Park, Independence, Blue Springs, Lee's Summit, and surrounding communities in both Missouri and Kansas.

Does Zeta offer help paying for CDL training?

Yes. Many Zeta students qualify for funding that covers tuition with $0 out of pocket. We work with workforce development programs, employer-sponsored training, and other funding sources that make a CDL achievable even if you don't have cash on hand.

If you want to know what you qualify for, give us a call and we'll walk you through it.

What can I do with a CDL after Zeta?

A CDL opens up immediate work. Local routes, regional, over-the-road, dedicated lanes, tankers, flatbeds, dry van. Pay for new CDL graduates in the Kansas City area typically starts in the $55,000 to $70,000 range and climbs with experience and endorsements.

Zeta has carrier relationships across the region, and our students often have job offers lined up before they finish training.

Ready to start your CDL?

You don't have to be 21. You don't have to come from a trucking family. You don't have to know what a Jake brake is yet.

You just have to decide.

Jeffrey did. At 55.

Call Zeta Driving School at 816-608-7250 or visit us at zetacdl.com to start your enrollment.