New driver desperate for help (2duis)

@Sharkwater513

Please read all the way through this post. It is not a negative thing, it is a plan and encouragement.

let’s look at the reality of trucking right now. It is probably not a good time to try getting in to the industry. The overall economy has put this industry in a slump. Rates are down, trucks to loads are up (more trucks than loads) fuel prices are still high. This puts companies in a situation where they do need drivers, just not as many. Right now, if you look here on the forum, you will see that new CDL holders and limited experience drivers with some problems on the record are having a difficult time finding employment. 6/8 months ago, trucking companies had major incentives and had less stringent hiring practices. Today, the incentives are gone, the hiring practices are tightened up. They now have the pick of the best. Does this mean you would not find employment in the industry, no, but it won’t be easy and likely a “second chance” company. Right now, you are employed. May not be the best thing, but it is a pay check, hopefully with some benefits. Here’s the thing. This slump won’t last for ever. It will turn around, probably less than 2 years. No matter what, not before 2024 election. Why after, your guess is as good as anyone. Just the way it works. So you know you have some time to make a plan and work it. In about 14/18 months, the turnaround will probably start. What’s is the plan. Save money to pay for your CDL school out of pocket. Give the DUI’s some time to cool off. Your probably going to need 10 to 12 thousand dollars to cover school and 3 months of all other expenses. Tighten the belt, cut out 80 percent of your luxury expenses. Focus on the basics, save the cash and don’t spend it. Use money market accounts, they pay more interest. Some only need $50.00 to open. Look at the online banks, they offer lots of accounts and pay better than locals. Plus it put the money sort of out of sight. But you have to add to it, every paycheck something has to go into that account. Next look at what your local community college has to offer. Most offer some form of grants or scholarships to lower the cost of the classes. Some offer night and weekend classes. Just have to check the schools. Getting your CDL with no company sponsorship is actually in your favor here. One, you show you have changed. You planned something and followed through. Second, your not tied to a company for a year or 2. You can better choose the best company for your situation. Makes a good first impression. Your past is a little older, starting to get outside the window of scrutiny. Sounds tough, seems like a long way off. It’s not.

 

The companies don't give a crap about the DUIs, the insurance company and the underwriters will. Even these "self-insured" companies have underwriters who all set the rules and they may say nope on any DUIs under 7 years.

 

DO NOT GOT TO CDL SCHOOL UNTIL YOU HAVE A JOB OFFER FROM A TRUCKING COMPANY. Going to CDL school before you know you can get hired is like jumping off a tall building before learning how to survive skydiving.

 

#### ill tell you what ever you want if you was about to pay a couple grand to you should talk to the company them self and not a guy from the school

 

Can’t help you, but I do appreciate your opening post. Very positive. Make it your aim to stay positive.

Luck in battle, friend.

 

Schools are in the selling business. They sell school.
What is always the answer if you ask a barber do you need a haircut? Have the school tell you what companies they will place you with and then contact those trucking companies and give them your background and MVR, etc and get an answer from employers, not the school. You will owe the money for school, if you borrow to pay for it, whether you get a job or not.

There are so many questions posted on this forum from newbies who have just finished CDL school and discover almost no company will hire them because of something in their driving, criminal, work or personal history. The school won't give you your money back if nobody hires you. SOME schools won't admit you if you have some job killing detail in your background, but many other schools will be glad to take your money no matter what. You have to protect you, not rely on the school to know better about this matter unless you have done enough research on the school to KNOW they often turn away potential customers because of red flags in their past. Be advised the industry is slow/slowing and there could be a few job prospects for someone with your history right now but if the economy/industry slows further those opportunities evaporate. There are 100,000 trucking companies. No school sends students to each of them. EVERY school works with a handful of big companies and maybe a couple of more local companies.