DUI and CDL

No, doesn't disqualify you, but does limit which companies will hire you.
The newer ticket is 17 years old, so that's in your favor.
While you're in cdl school, get all the endorsements on your license.
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Each company has their own policy.
"No DUI in a lifetime."
"No DUI within last 3 years."
"No DUI within last 7 years."
etc.

 

You can probably be hired right now if you have a cdl and cdl school graduation certificate.
Which city/town are you, in or near in IL.

 

Good location being near Chicago.
You can start applying for jobs as soon as you get a school start date.
Be sure to get all the endorsements during school and that included tanker & hazmat.
We can give you some trucking company names to try. It's best to submit the online applications before any phone calls. Then, follow up with a phone call after a few days.

 

Some companies, on the applications, ask about DUI in different ways, so read the questions carefully.
For example:
"Have you ever had a DUI?"
"Have you had a DUI within the last 5 years?"
"Have you had a DUI within the last 10 years?"
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Your last one was 17 yrs. ago, so the answer is "yes" to the first example and "no" to the other examples.
Companies will find out about your DUI's anyway when they do a background check or license check.
When they ask about the ones you got years ago, acknowledge them.

 

@Chinatown pretty well covered it. I would, however, like to add something very important. At 17 years you should be well past the point most trucking companies will hold a DUI/DWI against you. Also, it shows you have become responsible about your consumption of alcohol. This is VERY critical to remember. Once you get a CDL the tables found in 383.51 become important AND BINDING! I might also add if you enjoy smoking Marijuana, STOP! The FMCSA is very serious about the use of "drugs"!

You can make a good living driving a truck. Make smart decisions and you can have a long career. Get stupid and you will find yourself unhirable and flipping burgers at McDonald's in VERY short order! Keep this in mind!