Question:
I'm thinking about a career as a Driver,but I've got some "red flags" on my record and am wondering what my chances for employment are. Got laid off as a non-CDL delivery driver and qualified through the unemployment office for a state program for training. My councelor suggested Trucking. I've always wanted to try it,just never had the opportunity,besides,the work situation in my town is terrible. I'm supposed to start school in a couple of weeks. After looking at company requirements on the internet,looks like I may have a tough time finding work. My Record: 25 years ago,misdemeanor poss M.J. (I dont use it,dont like it,I was a dumb kid) 3 moving violations in the past three years in my four wheeler (two citations issued the same day by the same officer,took driving safety courses for two of them,but still show on my driving record with the notation: "Safety Course". No DWI's ever,no accidents ever,no felonies ever,though). I know the industry doesen't owe me a job just because I've gone to school. Since I learned I qualified for Truck Drivng Training,I've been the slowest,safest guy in town. I'm not intentionally reckless,just haven't been paying attention. I can see that for a trucker a good driving record is the most important thing you can have. What are the possibilites of finding work as a driver? Any specific companys I might talk to? I intend to have a clean driving record from now on, trucking or no trucking. Thanks for any advice.

Answer:

In this job you better be paying attention all the time. If you do a search for driving records you should get all the info you need.
mole

Answer:
I'm not intentionally reckless,just haven't been paying attention
Whoops that was what I was trying to quote. sorry.
mole

Answer:
Thanks for the tip. Appreciate it.

Answer:
First of all you don't have to worry about the arrest it has been 25 years ago and it was not a felony..
As far as the Tickets that could be a problem..
The best thing to do is call some trucking companies and talk to them see what they have to say. Also let them know that you are planning on going to school and see if they hire from that school..Get as much info as you can..
From reading your post you have a good attitude about it all and that goes along way..
Not sure where you live but that also has alot to do with being hired with some companies..If you live near a truck stop go in there and pick up the trucking magazines and look through it and call the companies that hire students..Find out what they have to offer and start from there.
Don't do like so many other Newbies and go to school and then find out you can't get hired because of tickets or police record ect ect..
Most Companies only ask if you have ever been arrested for felonies..
Best of luck to you and feel free to ask as many questions that you have here.. Again Welcome to TruckNet
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Answer:
Your MVR is your BIG problem. 3 moving violations in 3 years that are still showing is going to cause you some major headaches in finding employment as a driver.
As Red suggested. Contact newbie hiring companies before you start school to see if anyone will hire you. I just have a feeling that until at least one of those tickets drop off you are going to be S.O.L. for the most part.
Some companies to look into: Millis, Roehl, PAM, Willis Shaw Express, Werner, Swift, US Xpress, CR England, Schnieder, Central Refriderated, Trans AM.
I am not going to get into the merits or lack there of in regards to any of these companies, but if you do go into truck driving you may not be able to be picky.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Thanks for the info, folks! If I had known I would some day have an opportunity to get into trucking I would have paid full attention to my driving record. Day late and a dollar short at this point. The thing I'm confused about is: Do tickets with the "Safety Course" label on a driving record count as a moving violation? Anyway, I'll follow your advice and also keep a good driving record from now on. Thanks again!

Answer:
Originally posted by Desert Dave:
Thanks for the info, folks! If I had known I would some day have an opportunity to get into trucking I would have paid full attention to my driving record. Day late and a dollar short at this point. The thing I'm confused about is: Do tickets with the "Safety Course" label on a driving record count as a moving violation? Anyway, I'll follow your advice and also keep a good driving record from now on. Thanks again!
One thing that I don't understand is......with insurance being as expensive as it is....wouldn't it behoove you to keep your driving record clean no matter what kind of job you had?
I don't know about you, but I sure hate wasting money on something like higher insurance rates.
Normally a moving violation with a "Attended Safety Course" attached to it, is still a moving violation.
You might want to talk with a lawyer and see what can be done to possibly get them removed.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
Goin fast is sooooo fun. Just dont hit the skunks at any speed......
TJ
.
Welcome to Fantasy Island...All warm and FUZZY, all the time
.....Grab a chair and some gourmet food, cooked in our KITCHEN ON WHEELS
and remember kids, its not a lifestyle, its what you make it. Work 100 hours a week, log in the allowed 70, get paid (if your lucky) for 40 hours of said time. You are cookin with butter now.....

Answer:
Originally posted by Asphalt Hauler:
Just dont hit the skunks at any speed......
hmmm....maybe YOU should take your own advice. I can't believe ya hit that dang thing the night I was there.
*******************************
"Got the bird dog on...
Dodgin' the scales...
80 miles an hour and a step outta jail..." From "Rollin' Home, Pirates of the Mississippi)
*******************************
"I've always been different with one foot over the line.
Winding up somewhere, one step ahead or behind.
It ain't been so easy, but I guess I shouldn't complain.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane." (from Waylon Jennings)
**************************
Member: Happy Dweller Society
Owner Operator Division


Answer:
If you got two citations on the same day...that means they will both become 3 years old or older on the same day.
Most applications state in the requirements that you can not have more than 2 or 3 moving violations in the past 3 years.
Let the convictions become more than 3 years (and keep your nose clean in the mean time) and you can fit the requirements of just about anyone.
P.S.- simply fulfilling the requirements of any given company is not a gaurantee of acceptance.
Good Luck
_________________________
Cover Your Cans People!!!It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

Answer:
Thanks for the advice,gentlemen,really appreciate you all taking the time to answer my questions. I haven't been thinking like a professional driver. No excuse,just never thought this opportunity would ever come my way. Seems like I've always got to learn the hard way. The two in one day citations will go to the three year mark in one year. In the meantime,I'm going to be a razor when it comes to traffic laws and my driving record. I talked with my councelor at the State Agency funding my school, and he seemed to think that I should take advantage of the schooling while the opportunity exists,and see if I can get some local driving work or talk to some companys and just try for employment as best I can. Basically use it or lose it is what he was telling me. Anyway, if nothing else, I'm now driving my four wheeler like a professional. -Signed, Learned his lesson. Thanks again!

Answer:
The only bad thing about taking the school now is if you can't get a job OTR driving then again you will be Crapped Out Of Luck..
Reason being the Trucking Companies will want you fresh out of school..If it is more than 60-90 days they will want you to go back to school and take it all over again or at least a refresher course..
Don't know if you have a copy of your MVR but you might want to get one just to be sure what is on it.
I know in Tennessee and Kentucky if you go to Traffic School they do not put it on there
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away

Answer:
Thanks, Little Red! I got a copy of my MVR already. Down here in Texas you can take a "Defensive Driving" or "Driving Safety" course and they tell you this will take the ticket off your record. Actually, it removes a description of the citation and replaces it with the words "Driving Safety Course" with the date of the citation and the date the safety course was completed. A safety course lowers your insurance premium back down to at least the rate you were getting before you received the ticket. Yes, it does worry me that I may not be able to get a job as a driver after my school. I notified my State Agency funding Counselor about my driving record and possible problems getting a job as a driver,and he said the funding has been approved and to go ahead with the course, otherwise the State may withdraw the funding offer. I'll just have to take one step at a time...they may offer me a refresher course at some point in the future if I'm unemployable as a driver. I've done my part and notified him of my concerns. I've got two choices, accept the training now or don't get any training at all, so I'll have to do the best I can. Thanks again, and have a great day!

Answer:
Look for a mom and pop outfit, or something local. They are out there, just gotta search for em.
I had a terrible record when I started driving, but now its spotless, and I drive like a damm gramma unless I am hunting roadkill (stay away from those skunks)
If I showed you my abstract (I have it and will show it to Hoss next trip) you would wonder how the heck I managed to get a job at all. No lie
Welcome to Fantasy Island...All warm and FUZZY, all the time
.....Grab a chair and some gourmet food, cooked in our KITCHEN ON WHEELS
and remember kids, its not a lifestyle, its what you make it. Work 100 hours a week, log in the allowed 70, get paid (if your lucky) for 40 hours of said time. You are cookin with butter now.....