Fresh out of the penitentiary

I'm usually one to question the majority opinion, but in this case I'd have to agree. The 2004 DUI might be far enough back to allow hiring as a trainee, but the 2010 is way too recent for any trucking company I know to take the risk on you. Your best bet is to become a broker or work on the docks until time passes enough to get into the driver's seat. There definitely are a lot of ex-cons and former drug addicts with CDLs--that much I can tell from the tattoos and missing teeth of guys at the truck stops--but these guys are hanging on by a thread to their jobs in many cases.

 

My buddy is trying to get hired, and been applying at different trucking companies, he has one assault felony from two years ago, the only time he's ever been in trouble, clean driving record, good work references but because of the one felony, companies won't touch him unless it's 10 years or older. Even though hiring an ex con, company gets a tax break. He hasn't given up hope, but it will be a fight to get your foot in the door with a felony on your record

 

You can get a pardon in Canada for some felonies if you are wiling to pay the price . http://www.canadawelcomesyou.net/shouldknow.html

 

i would'nt sweat that,you don't want to go out of the states anyways..way to much of a hassle for the pay.

 

btw,i don't see "all doors shut,ain't gunna happen".i had an uncle that spent 7 years in raiford,drug and other things.3 felonies.he had a cdl and on the road in 3 years.he had 2 dui's too.so it's def not impossible.just keep your head up and keep trying.never say never....

 

wouldnt there be a reqirement to check in with a probation officer since it just happened in 2010? Maybe not.

 

Just found this write up.

"Section 19(2)(a.1) of the Immigration Act of Canada states that persons convicted of an offence outside of Canada, that would be an offence under Canadian law, cannot be admitted to Canada. Criminally inadmissable persons can, however, apply for a special permission to enter Canada. This special permission is expressed by a Minister's Permit."

Any person living in the United States who possesses a criminal record and wishes to travel to Canada will need a Ministers Permit. This is valid up to one year. One may also apply for a Rehabilitation. This document is a permanent approval, and allows hassle free border crossing into Canada.
The Canadian Government will look at each application individually. They will consider the following factors:

1) Nature of conviction
2) Date of last conviction
3) Sentencing
4) Reasons for travel

A Ministers Permit may take up to 6 months for processing. A personal interview may be required at the port of entry nearest the applicant's residence.

Rehabilitation allows lifetime access into Canada. This document never needs to be renewed. A Ministers Permit and Rehabilitation does not permit one to work in Canada. These approvals allow visitation for a period up to 6 months at a time.

Interestingly enough, President Bush had to file for these papers as he has a DUI conviction. He could cross the border until 2004 according to his paper work.

 

Some friends of mine in Los Angeles found trucking jobs with temporary staffing agencies that only cater to cdl holders. Even though it's "temporary" they get work everyday, 5 days a week, at about $16 an hr. and it's local, pulling 53ft trailers.These staffing agencies hire lots of people and since you are only a "temp" and don't have to pay for your benefits or make any promises, they have lots of contracts with companies that need drivers but can't afford to hire all of them because the unions won't let the companies make much profit, so these same companies turn to hire "temps". I know some of my friends have been working on the same acct for 3-4 years..the only complaint is, no benefits, and always getting called in for work at the worst times of the day. The application process isn't that hard. Backround you ask? nahh, no big deal, as long as you can work and deal with being on-call 24hrs a day. Good luck. God Bless.

 

Big Rig, I have been in almost the exact same situation that you speak of. Your grug conviction is way too current for the big guys out here to give you a break. Somebody gave me the advice of finding a smaller local carrier that would be more open to a "2nd Chance" that you desperately need. The big guys all have the insurance companies to answer to and they will not insure you. Biggest thing with them I feel is that they require typically a minimum of 6-12 mths experience because of their insurance company. The OUI is enough in the past that you would be ok, the drug conviction is far and away your biggest obstacle. I know from my own experiences what you are going through. My school had no problem taking my money, they were totally upfront about my employability though. I had to sign a waiver with them that released them from the job placement aspect of the school. I had to sign that I was there only for the knowledge and that the school would not offer me any of the extra assistance that was given to everybody else with the placement assistance. They would only guarantee me the training that would allow me to obtain a CDL. That was the easy part of the ordeal. I was very persistant with applying to companies, my OUI and Drug convictions were back in 2004 so I had a bit of time in my favor that you do not have. Even with that, the big guys would not give me the time of day because they have way too many people applying out there that do not have the background issues that you bring with you. I would ask your school about letting you sign that same type of waiver. Forgo the placement assistance and look for a small local company that would be more apt to give you a break. I was almost at the point of applying for CDL B positions when I happened upon a small local company that hauled crushed cars. I was able to convince them to give me an opportunity. They did, and then after I had been with them for a while, signed a letter stating that I had been with them for 6 mths which opened up the opportunity for me to apply to an OTR company that I am currently driving for. I took a chance of not being totally upfront about some of my past, you need to find an ad to apply to that is very non specific about criminal convictions. If they ask you, you need to be honest with them though. They will fire you when they learn otherwise. If they don't ask, don't tell them. You will need to choose the company very wisely and hope that they don't do a background check on you. Some carriers do a better job at that than others. I would HIGHLY recomend that no matter who you drive for when you eventually do land a job, that you are clean and able to pass a Drug test. They ALL do them and you are also subject to a quarterly random test. If you can't pass it or there is any chance that you are still using drugs then this line is not for you. So, I guess that the best advice that I can give you is to forget the big guys out here. Find yourself a smaller local company that would be more willing to take a chance on you. Even consider driving Class B for a while to get your feet wet. You may find that you enjoy that.

Hope that this helps!