A new career as a driver – at 44

Chains, crane parts, instant tea

A mother of five, Katharina Altenfeld is also a heavy goods truck driver – with a passion. Her jobs include hauling crane parts for wind turbines all over Germany. Her career path into the cab was anything but ordinary – she didn’t get her HGV licence until she was 44.

Starting from scratch at 44? It wasn’t a question, it was a decision for Katharina Altenfeld: “It was now or never,” she says. “You’re never too old to change.” Katharina now works for Hüffermann in the Oldenburg region, hauling heavy goods such as crane parts, agricultural equipment, wind turbine accessories, and prefab substations for the grid. Extra wide, extra long – extra committed.

“It’s about the teamwork”

She learned how to secure heavy loads with chains and belts from scratch: “You have to be into it. I really enjoy it now.” As a woman in heavy haulage, she did have to prove herself – not only because of her height at 1.55 m. “But there are always people to help. I’ve proved that I can do it.”

She’s been part of the crew – literally – since January 2025: “I’ve felt like part of the Hüffermann team from the start,” Katharina recalls. Communication is everything, especially in heavy haulage. Katharina’s experiences include nightly trips on confusing routes under escort or in a convoy. “Everyone watches out for each other,” she says. “It’s about the teamwork.”

Retraining at 44

It was no straightforward path to getting behind the wheel in an MAN TGX. She had raised five children and worked an unskilled job in warehousing for years. It was a friend of hers that gave her the idea of getting an HGV licence. Two weeks later, she was on a retraining course.

She drove shipping containers for three and a half years, but the work grew monotonous. She was ready for a new challenge. Switching to Hüffermann was a stroke of luck – “I couldn’t have done better for myself,” Katharina says. “Every day is different.” Whether it’s tight access on construction sites or long detours because of route specifications – she loves the variety that her work gives her. Apart from that, her routes take her to all kinds of places. “I love travelling,” says the driver. “I like the idea of Scandinavia – especially in winter.”

Everyone looks out for each other. It's a sense of togetherness. “

Trucker romance is still a thing

Her everyday life has also changed physically. “I’ve lost weight,” Katharina says with a chuckle. “You get a lot more physical movement in heavy haulage.” She’s also grateful for her loyal lion, her MAN TGX 18.510. “I had a long history of back problems – but not any more in my MAN. Cab specs matter if you want to protect your back on long hauls.” And she’ll never head for the road without her instant tea. Coffee maker? Katharina doesn’t need any of that. Instead, she packs a gas burner for some home-cooked spaghetti and tomato sauce.

And when parking next to a cornfield at sunset, Katharina is certain: “I’ve made a perfect career choice.” She aims to encourage others looking for a new career to consider it as an option. “It’s never too late to start over.”

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