Employment History

They'll possibly ask for documentation from someone or a letter just to state what you did during the time. But if you have a pulse, and aren't going to lose it anytime soon(ie: healthy) its pretty easy to get a job with a starter company. I've known drivers who were homeless prior to trucking.

 

It shouldn't be that much of a problem. Just make sure you have 10 years worth of dates, whether you were working or not. If unemployed, put unemployed. You're most likely are going to be at a training company and there is nothing that you could put that they haven't seen before. All they are looking for is those dates, as is required by law. I would call some of the companies you are thinking about driving for and actually talk to the HR people that do all the paperwork, not just the recruiters. They could tell you more.

 

Depending upon the trucking company, they will go back as little as 3 years or as many as 10 years. If I recall correctly, you will do alright under the 3 year rule if you have no professional driving history whatsoever. However, if you do already have a commercial drivers license, the companies must go back a full 10 years. From my understanding, there are companies that will go back a full 10 years regardless of whether or not you have ever driven professionally or not.

My suggestion is to find a full time job and work a minimum of 3 full years to acquire some job history behind you. Afterwards, if you can afford it, go to a decent credible truck driving school, get your commercial drivers license, then apply to various trucking companies for your first job. This is where the forum, with experienced professional truck drivers, can be of great help.

One suggestion would be Tyson Foods out of Springdale Arkansas, 1-800-933-6442. I would go ahead and give them a call as soon as possible, to see what CDL school in your area can teach you, and start saving up for the next 3 years. Tyson Foods is selective as to which CDL school they take their new graduate students from. Tyson Foods has a reputation of treating their truck drivers quite well.

Another suggestion would be for you to get into the absolute best physical shape whatsoever possible. You also want to improve on your health as much as possible. From my understanding, you want to be free of all high blood pressure problems and blood sugar problems. Avoid diabetes as much as possible in order to avoid having to take any medications whatsoever. From my understanding, a truck driver CANNOT be insulin dependent at all. If you are a drinker, beer, wine, etc., try to give it up altogether. This way, you will never have to worry about getting a DUI or DWI. As of now, start treating your regular car driving as if you had a CDL and you must protect it at all costs. Also, try to steer clear of all medications and over the counter remedies. This reduces your chances of popping positive on any drug screens, urine or hair follicle. These next 3 years will go by quickly.

Good luck to you!

God bless you and your family! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

They're going to want 10 yrs job history.They'll ask for 3 probaby on an online appicattion but will ask for 10 yrs during orientation.So during your time at school figure out everything you did the last 10 yrs and write it down.This school will be part of your 10 yr history.Make sure you have the month and yr and no gaps.

 

Thanks for posting this. I am in the same boat been a stay at home dad and am turning 30 almost ready to take my test to get the cdl .

 

Well, I had a friend of mine who was out of work for two years, by choice. He had worked 18 years at the same place, his mom passed away and he inherited a little bit of money, not enough to live off of the rest of his life, but a little to relax for a while if you know what I mean. He said screw it and took off two years and did what he wanted. He had family members who had been truck drivers and he was interested in it so he went and got his cdl. He had zero problems trying to get a job after school, he got pre hires and offers from almost every company he applied too. He put down on his application that he left the workforce by choice which he did and was taking time off for two years, he just had to get a couple signed notarized statements from a couple friends to verify that he was doing that is all. He had a 100% perfect driving record no violations at all, and no criminal history either, so if he could do it lots of other people could. I for one am VERY suspicious when people post they can't get hired because of work history they have to be leaving out the fact that they either have a bad driving record or a criminal history. From my friend's experience and from new truck drivers I have talked to here and there work history really isn't too big of an issue, now having a bad driving record and a criminal history IS a big issue, which is what I highly suspect people are leaving out when they talk about work history being a problem for them.

 

@wyldhorses : Actually, a bad driving record is a bigger obstacle to employment than a criminal record. There are several trucking companies that hire drivers with criminal records & some right out of prison. Personally, I have no issues with that at all. It's good that these guys & gals can get back in the workforce and get their life back on track.

 

Does anyone know what the point of making him get notarized statements is? So this guy didn't work for the last few years and he says it was by his choice. If he was lying and really couldn't get a job because of his driving record or was in jail... that would turn up when the employer checked his DMV & criminal records anyway. Is this a DOT requirement and why? There's a gotta be a good reason but I just can't figure it out...