Looking for a little help...

Discussion in 'The Welcome Wagon' started by mwonch, Jul 3, 2020.

  1. mwonch

    mwonch Light Load Member

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    Dec 3, 2014
    San Antonio, TX
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    Hey, all!

    I am not a new CDL driver. I worked the CDL side of trucking from 1995-2000. I gave up the license for personal reasons. Skip forward to 2015, I attended a MEGA school (Prime) to regain my license, which I did. I've remained employed ever since.

    I kept a squeaky-clean driving record until September 2018, when I was clipped for driving that restricted left lane in Illinois. A year later, I brain-farted and did it again in Kentucky. I'm not used to getting tickets, so I was pretty upset with myself for WEEKS after that. Problem is, and what I did not know at that time, is Kentucky calls that Improper Passing. A straight Left Lane violation is considered minor, but a second under the title of Improper Passing I have recently learned is a MAJOR violation.

    Before I knew it was such a major violation, I left my home and job in Illinois for San Antonio, Texas. I love it here, so I decided to live here. I had a large enough savings to take it easy and take great care on the new job search. That was 2 months ago. I usually secure a new job before leaving a current, but this time I figured I could just chance it. After all, even through COVID, a lot of companies were hiring. They still are, just not me. I finally got one company manager to clue me into why. As you may have guessed, it was not just the two tickets, it really is that last ticket. Improper Passing is major, and coupled with that ticket the year before, I now have 6 Points against my CDL. My heart sank and I felt gutted as I suddenly realized I had completely F'ed myself by allowing complacency to replace common sense and vigilance. After years of climbing that income ladder, I was now slapped back to the bottom. Again, no one to blame but myself...but it's done and I am left with extremely limited options. bad luck? No. Three bad decisions (the tickets and the decision to move without the above knowledge). If I can find a company willing to hire me, it'll be OTR again. Just the next two years driving a lower gig will be a constant reminder, especially that part that my last gig paid .55/mile loaded or empty. See? F'ed myself and need no more lashings...

    I am now in the unenviable position of requesting help with companies which will likely hire an experienced trucker with a messed up DMV. I also ask to not be lectured. I'd only agree with you which would make the interaction no fun for you. See? I'm keeping my spirits up!

    If anyone can assist with a suggestion or few, I would be quite appreciative. I live in San Antonio, TX.

    Thanks in advance,

    Mike
     
    Last edited: Jul 3, 2020
    Chinatown Thanks this.
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    mwonch Thanks this.
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    mwonch Thanks this.
  5. mwonch

    mwonch Light Load Member

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    Dec 3, 2014
    San Antonio, TX
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    @Chinatown

    I was just about to go to bed and had a nagging, irrational feeling I needed to check on this post. Not so irrational, after all! I have mainly lurked this forum since 2014 (just before joining Prime), and I must say I have always been floored - FLOORED, I tell you - at your immense knowledge and willingness to impart it. YOU, sir, are a true treasure.

    This is an excellent comprehensive list. I already submitted to WE earlier, and I figured that was really the only option I had left. Thank you for proving me wrong. I will begin looking into these right away. If it's okay with you, I will now lay blame on you for a sleepless night. I am that happy. *shakes fist*

    Seriously, if you really don't mind solving a question I have really had for 4.5 years lurking here. What do you do to have this much instant knowledge? I'm thinking NSA... LOL

    Again, thanks!

    Mike
     
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  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I work for the CIA, KGB and Mossad, but it's a secret, so don't tell anyone.
     
    Milr72 and #wishfulthinking Thank this.
  7. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Your big mistake was not fighting those tickets.
     
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  8. Trucking in Tennessee

    Trucking in Tennessee Road Train Member

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    You seem intelligent. Why in the heck didn't you get a lawyer? You might even try to get it reduced or expunged. Money talks.
     
  9. mwonch

    mwonch Light Load Member

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    Dec 3, 2014
    San Antonio, TX
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    Thank you for the compliment! If only you knew me, you may retract it. LOL

    At the time, since I knew there was no excuse, I opted to admit the foolishness and just pay the fine. I did consider taking a few days off to travel down for the traffic course, but decided to not miss one of the two runs that week. I regret that decision. After finding out what THAT regrettable decision has cost me, I spent a lot of time researching Kentucky law to see if there was a way to re-open a simple traffic case in order to d what you suggest. I even read through quite a bit of the Code itself (what a BORING read), and it IS possible to re-open a traffic case but unlikely to succeed. Once that guilty plea is entered and fine paid, the matter is considered settled. I made several calls to the county in question and was eventually told that I could give it a shot, but without additional evidence that the offense could not be avoided (such as, maneuvering to avoid an accident) the case would be left to stand as is. "Just not thinking about it" would not be an excuse, of course. Basically, once a traffic case is closed with a willing and uncontested guilty plea and fine paid, it's over. Especially since it's been nearly a year since that official admission and conviction.

    I also have discovered that even if I took a traffic safety course to get points wiped clean or reduced, that would apply only to the license itself. The charge and conviction would still be on the record, and INSURANCE companies apply their own point system without regard to said course. Taking such a course after the fact is designed to prevent warnings from the state about points or suspensions at state level.

    So, I'm stuck with it. The bottom line is I should have listened to my gut instinct and just taken 2 days off to travel back down in my personal vehicle to take the course AT THE TIME OF pleading guilty and paying the fine. That decision to keep that one instance of $735 income (before taxes) actually cost me a possible $100K+ of income over the course of the following 3 years. Bad move, that was.

    Now, I must consign myself to being a Cautionary Tale. Just learn the lessons, never become complacent, and stop being so #### short-sighted in regards to protection of the CDL. And, even if a traffic offense is 100% intentional, never ever EVER just plead guilty without at least an attempt at reducing the charge(s).
     
  10. mwonch

    mwonch Light Load Member

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    Dec 3, 2014
    San Antonio, TX
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    Yes. Exactly!
     
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