Nederlands 
België / Belgique 
English 
Polska
România 
Lietuvių 
български 4
You are never too old for a career change. At the age of 50, Ilonka (53) decided to make her dream come true: becoming a truck driver. Through 24/7 drive, she obtained her truck driving licence and swapped her job as a merchandiser for a seat behind the wheel of a truck. ‘I’m so glad I took the plunge.’
Transport plays a major role in Ilonka’s family. Her husband worked as an international truck driver for many years, and her eldest son also chose the profession. ‘When I got married in 1997, I regularly joined my husband on trips abroad,’ Ilonka says. ‘I loved it: the freedom, being on the road and constantly seeing new places. Even then, I thought: this is what I want to do too!’
But life took a different course. Ilonka worked as a merchandiser in shops for many years, a job she thoroughly enjoyed. Yet her desire to become a truck driver one day always remained in the back of her mind. Then a special question made her stop and think.
Now or never
‘On my 50th birthday, a friend asked me: What are you grateful for and what are you looking forward to?’ Ilonka recalls. ‘I knew the answer to the first question straight away. That year, I had been married for 25 years, and I was incredibly grateful for that. But the second question stirred something in me. I realised that I still wanted to fulfil a dream: getting my truck driving licence. I thought: if you say A, you have to say B. So I decided to go for it. My family supported me wholeheartedly. My husband immediately gave me a number plate with my name on it.’
‘24/7 drive made me feel seen’
Ilonka contacted several recruitment agencies that help career changers enter the transport sector. That same week, she had several interviews, but one organisation immediately stood out. ‘24/7 drive was the only one that truly looked at me as a person. They didn’t just provide information; above all, they wanted to know who I was. I felt seen.’
Working and learning
Ilonka started the training programme. At the same time, 24/7 drive enabled her to work as an order picker at Hospital Logistics. ‘That was ideal for me. I was off on the days I had driving lessons, and on the other days I simply worked. You have an income, stay active and don’t have to sit at home waiting until your training is finished. That’s not for me.’
Beforehand, it was mainly the theory that worried her. ‘I was 50, of course, and wondered how easily I would still be able to learn. In hindsight, those concerns were unnecessary. I passed all the theory modules on my first attempt. Almost everyone had to resit the final module; I was the only one who passed it first time.’
She found the practical exam much more nerve-racking. Her fear of failure sometimes made the pressure difficult to handle, but she kept going. ‘I loved the lessons. Thanks to my instructor, my confidence behind the wheel grew every day. But during the exam, my fear of failure got in the way. In the end, I obtained my licence on my third attempt.’
Looking for the right route
Afterwards, Ilonka was able to start work immediately through 24/7 drive. She soon realised that her first driving job was not quite right for her. ‘I mainly drove the same route, but I wanted more variety and longer distances. When I told 24/7 drive, they immediately started looking for another vacancy. That’s what I like about working through a recruitment agency. If something isn’t quite the right fit, you can work together to find a better place.’
Ilonka now thoroughly enjoys driving for DKS Logistic Service. ‘Every day is different. Today I loaded at 6:30 a.m., then unloaded pallets in Noordwijk, continued to Waddinxveen and then went to Apeldoorn. Every day, it’s a surprise where I’ll go and what I’ll transport. That’s what I enjoy about general cargo.’
‘I did it’
Ilonka enjoys long distances most of all. ‘I love driving with such a big machine beneath me. Then I think: I really did it! On long trips, I turn on the radio and have time to think. I even enjoy traffic jams. You see all sorts of things around you: people getting carried away by the music or deep in conversation.’
Looking back, Ilonka is glad she dared to take the plunge. ‘When I started, I thought: who is waiting for a 50-year-old woman? My son said: Mum, companies are desperate for drivers. You can still work for another 20 years. He turned out to be right. And I can certainly keep going behind the wheel until I’m 70!’
Ready to make your dream come true too? Find your new job as a driver and view our vacancies.