Question:
I posted this on the RT and thought it would be useful info for the newbies too.
My husband has been considering a change of employment recently for various reasons and we've been researching to find someone who can meet ALL our needs a little better than his current employer. No real problems with current employer, they just don't operate where he would like to go sometimes.
We actually submitted apps to 3 or 4 companies to do a little "fishing" to see what comes up. Two of the companies were CFI and Epes Transport.
Hubby has one DUI from 1984 and a misdemeanor possession charge from the same year.
He has 3 to 4 yrs verifiable OTR experience. He has a satisfactory work history, no service failures, abandonments, etc.-no refused or failed drug tests. He has 1 DOT reportable that is almost 4 yrs. old (reported on DAC but not MVR, a minor backing accident 2 yrs old, but has a clean MVR for the past 5-7 yrs (no accidents or tickets).
Results of the fishing?
CFI-they will allow 1 DUI in a lifetime if it's that old (most likely any over 5-10 yrs but not sure).
But no drug-related misdemeanors EVER. Even if driver can get his own minister's permit for entry into Canada. They will still process your app with this if it's been this long BUT say they have NEVER seen anyone approved with a drug-related misdemeanor. By the way, CFI asks for all misdemeanor offenses on their app.
Epes-when we originally applied someone called within 2 hours to say they couldn't accept ANY DUI ever, even though website says they will as long as over 10 yrs.
However, a week later a recruiter calls and leaves a message saying they JUST revised the DUI policy and Hubby NOW qualifies. Epes does not ask about misdeanors on the preliminary app (felonies only) but I'm sure the full app does. Even if it doesn't the information IS available thru DAC when they check criminal history thru them.
So I called Epes today to ask about the misdemeanor policy. Guess what, no misdemeanor drug-related offenses EVER. Just company policy, ministers permit would not make a difference.
The jury is still out with 2 other companies, USXpress and Celadon. USXpress has told us it IS NOT an automatic disqualifier and they can process and see.
Still haven't reviewed the app with Celadon. Will post updates when we do.
I know many people would say don't tell them about it and Hubby has placed apps and never mentioned it when they only ask for FELONY convictions. However, we recently received a copy of the criminal history portion of his DAC report (you have to request them to send this along with normal DAC report) and both the DUI and misdemeanor possession appear on there.
Hubby's present employer did not have a problem with these things because it was disclosed to them on the app. So, looks like getting 3-4 yrs experience in trucking is always NOT enough to "write your own ticket". Unless you've also been perfect in all considered aspects.
Answer:
Some crimminal offenses are worse than others, and drug charges are right up there at the top of the list, be it misdemeanor or felony conviction.
Answer:
Has Hubby been a good boy since the misdemeanor conviction? I mean other than the DUI. If so, you may go see the DA in the state of the conviction, and ask to have the record expunged. If it is 20 yrs old, and he has'nt had any problems since, he stands a good chance. A short hearing before a judge, and it's off his record permanently. The DUI being nearly 20 yrs old, there should'nt be a record anymore. At least not on your license. I would suggest applying with a carrier that does'nt go into Canada. Hope I helped. Razz Just remember:If the world did'nt suck, you'd fall off!
The more I see and read about Republicans and Democrats, the more I wish we had an Independent Party.
IMPEACH BUSH!!!!!!!!!!

Answer:

Yes, he has been a good boy since then. As for the DUI and it shouldn't be showing up after that long, it still does. As I understand it, the DUI and the misdemeanor are a matter of public record and information on them CAN be obtained any amount of years after the fact (unless they are expunged of course).
We obtained a lifetime copy of Hubby's driving record from NC and the DUI is on there.
I didn't even know DAC was in the criminal record business until we submitted an online app recently that went to several companies. One of the companies apparently was interested and started checking records because a few weeks later we received a letter from DAC stating that $%%^ company requested the following records and here is a copy of information sent to them. It contained a criminal record search report based on name and ss# that came up with 2 hits (the DUI and the misdemeanor possession charge, both in the same county).
So contrary to popular belief, these things do NOT disappear from your record after a certain amount of time unless you get them expunged and now companies like DAC have the means to access these things quite easily it appears. Most likely companies just using their own resources wouldn't be able to find this information but DAC is making it easy for them to get the lowdown on anybody.
As for finding a job, there are companies that will hire him with these "strikes" against him but we are finding many of the BETTER companies will not consider him.
So any newbies out there with similar problems and who think they can start with one of the training companies, get experience, and move on to a better paying job in a couple years, it might be harder than you think. Sure, you can find something paying better than rookie wages BUT your choices are still going to be limited.
Answer:
The verdict is still out with Celadon, havent heard anything. But Hubby and I have pretty much ruled them out anyway. Some of the things recruiter said sounded like a lot of smoke plus we've seen a few more of their dirty trucks and drivers since then. Having second thoughts.
Melton approved Hubby. They said they would just have to keep him out of Canada.
USXPRESS turned him down. NOT because of misd. but due to DOT reportable in past 5 yrs.
Here's a surprise. I originally said CFI had turned him down. He talked with another recruiter when the one he was working with was out of the office. SHE told him they never approved ANYONE with drug misd. UNLESS they were under 18 at time of offense.
However, he decided to call the one back who had been working on his app. She asked some more questions, went over everything again and said she would need to have supervisor review the app. The next day she called and said he was approved.
I asked her what they planned to do about Canada, keep him out? She said no, they would be giving him some extra papers to take with him, something about them having checked his background and only found misdemeanors. She said she was able to get approved because the offenses were so old and he had no felonies. I don't quite understand this because the only way I've heard you could enter Canada would be with minister's permit.
So before he trudges off to their orientation (if thats the route he decides to go) we are going to talk personally with the recruiters supervisor. The recruiter assured us she had copies of MVR, DAC and criminal report and all was a go barring him having lied on the app, or failing physical/drug test or driving test. But I DONT trust recruiters.
Does anyone know of any other companies willing to send solo drivers who live in the East to the West coast occasionally. We need company who will allow him to take hometime in Oregon with parents couple of times a year. We also require more than the .30 per mile many companies seem to pay (both Melton and CFI would start him at .35). We are willing to consider reefer or flatbed also.
Any info is appreciated.