hi everyone. I got my CDL in early 2007 with a totally clean driving record, went to work with one of the flatbed training companies out of school, for about 6 weeks, but decided that the OTR lifestyle wasn't for me, so I quit. Went back to my old work at the factory.

Then I got arrested for DUI in Nov. 2007 in my personal vehicle, and refused a breathalizer, knowing that it would be a 1 year suspension reguardless for my CDL. My lawyer got the DUI charges dismissed, and expunged from my record. So my criminal record is clean.

But the traffic tribunal ordered suspended my regular licence for 6 months, CDL for 1 year, and ordered me the DUI school, plus community service. The question I have concerns my future in the trucking industry. This suspension and refusal is the only thing on my driving record. 0 tickets, 0 violations. What are my options after I get my CDL back at the end of this year?

I have been reading that it looks like 5 years, but could I get lucky if an owner operator friend would hire me, or I could work something out w/ an owner op? My experience is about 13,000 logged miles flatbed, documented throughout the country. Thanks

I have bad news for you. It'll be at least 5 years if at all before companies will even consider looking at you. Having a CDL means you are a professional and should know better, even tho the Dept of Labor considers CDL holders as unskilled labor. Yeah I know go figure. Refusing a field soberity test of any kind is the second mortal sin of trucking. The first is abandoning equipment.

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Outta here

Your biggest problem will be getting insured
Even if you get hired on by a OO he will still have to get you OKed with the company he is leased to or if he is independent getting you on his insurance
I wish you good luck

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I was thinking about getting into the moving business, maybe working as a long-distance mover. Does anybody out there have any info on it?

It don't sound like it got "expunged".

You still got the suspension. What's that for? You'll have to explain that to any new employer.

13K miles ? Less than 2 months experience. Less than a month at most companies. And you've been out of trucking for a year? AKA no exerience at all. You'll need to go through training again with the majority of companies...if not all.

O/O doubtful, even if he is a friend.

Good Luck

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Team Players.....
It's hard for me to play professional team sports. On a minor league salary.

He can have his record expunged and still have his CDL suspended. It's listed in the FMCSR table 1 to §383.51

The criminal charge of the DUI was dismissed and expunged from my criminal record b/c my lawyer is good, but the suspension and refusal is still on my driving record. So I think it is going to be tough for me when I get the CDL back this Nov., but I will start calling companies.

I hope I can get back in, or else I will probably join the military. What else can I do? There is another possibility that I could go on my own buying a truck, flat-bed trailer because I am expected to have about $100,000 from inheritence in the next few years.

Uh Nick get ready for the Military. Many of the trucking companies WILL NOT look at you for having a DUI or a refused soberity test for at least 5 years after you get your CDL back

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Outta here

Maybe you can go to the military and drive for 4-5 yrs then get out and try to get a local job. If you stay here in RI you will get your cdl back at the wrong time(winter). Wait until the spring and try getting into landscape construction they might give you a shot or go work as a helper at a local company and prove yourself to them. Also, moving companies might give you a shot as a driver helper or cesspool companies. Best of Luck. Where did you get your cdl? what otr company did you go to and why did you quit them?