EEOC Lawsuit Challenges Age Caps in Truck Driver Hiring

A federal lawsuit against a Texas trucking company is putting age-based driver hiring rules and insurance requirements under scrutiny. FreightWaves reported October 9 that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Trancasa USA, alleging the carrier rejected older driver applicants and applied stricter driving-record and medical-document standards because of age.

The complaint centers on a 64-year-old applicant with more than 20 years of experience and a clean driving record. The EEOC alleges he was told the company's insurer would not approve him because he was approaching a maximum eligible age. According to the lawsuit, insurance-related standards capped eligibility at 65, treated drivers over 60 with any recent accident or violation more strictly and required applicants ages 63 to 65 to provide a long-form medical examination report.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act protects workers and applicants age 40 and older. EEOC officials said an employer cannot avoid that responsibility by attributing an age-based decision to an insurer or another contracting party. The agency seeks compensation for affected applicants and changes to hiring practices. The allegations have not been adjudicated, and no damages have been awarded.

Motor carriers should review recruiting screens, insurer guidelines and third-party qualification tools for automatic age cutoffs or unequal documentation demands. Safety standards should rely on lawful, job-related criteria such as a valid CDL, current medical certification, driving history and required endorsements. Recruiters need a clear escalation process when insurance guidance conflicts with employment law. Experienced drivers who believe age affected a hiring decision should preserve applications and communications and seek qualified advice rather than assuming an insurer's preference settles the issue.