Can I be hired with this record?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Tjames90, May 4, 2017.

  1. Tjames90

    Tjames90 Bobtail Member

    12
    6
    May 4, 2017
    0
    I live in an area thick with cops and speed traps. Unfortunately this has netted me 4 tickets in the past 5 years since my job has me driving all day every day to the homes of different clients (non commercial driving I use my own vehicle)

    12/12- Seatbelt violation
    12/13- Speeding 16mph over
    7/15- Seatbelt violation
    7/16- Speeding 19mph over

    By speed traps I don't mean you're plain speeding and a cop is hiding, the speed limits around here fluctuate wildly and without warning. Some can't be seen until the last second, so if you're in unfamiliar territory you will get popped as I did even though I had been traveling BELOW the prior speed limit because I'm paranoid around here for obvious good reason. The seatbelts are one I took off to reach for something so it wasn't on when the cop walked up, second was I was putting it on as I was pulling away from the curb. Learned my lesson with those! You have to cut the seatbelt off me nowadays. I know the reasons don't matter, the record does but just don't want you all to think I'm crazy.

    Has this all destroyed my chances of a trucking career for years to come? I thought this would be a great way to get out of this area forever. I'm considering schools or companies that will train but I don't want to lay down a couple thousand or drive off to orentation only to find out I'm unhireable. What do you guys think? The most recent ticket will be a year behind me this July. I only have 2 tickets in the last 3 years but most companies seem to want a history of 5. Thanks for any help you can give.

    By the way, solid work history and no criminal record. My driving record is the only thing that worries me.
     
    Last edited: May 4, 2017
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,439
    143,487
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    You're hirable somewhere. That 19 over is the biggie though.
    Some cdl schools will want you to get a pre-hire letter before enrolling you. This protects you and also protects the schools reputation. Pre-hire letters are easy to get.
    Which state are you in and which is the nearest town?
     
  4. Radman

    Radman Road Train Member

    2,015
    2,412
    Apr 18, 2011
    0
    Clean record for 3 years for most companies. As a noob. If you have experience the 2 tickets would still get you a job. Your gonna have to wait til that seatbelt ticket comes off. Seatbelt in trucking is as bad as a Cell phone ticket. Screams safety. The 1 speeding will keep you from being picky but you can land a job. Wear your seat belt and slow down.
     
  5. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

    4,888
    36,994
    Jan 23, 2015
    Winnipeg, MB, CA
    0
    Probably, but you are going to have to be incredibly honest with that record.

    31 km/h over the speed limit is extreme. Unless the cops are legitimately taking down signage in order to nail drivers, I don't see an easy way to justify this. That kind of speeding is negligent to trucking companies. I've never encountered that big of a drop in cities in Canada. Usually 20 km/h or less. Only exceptions are construction zones, which are always clearly marked for safety's sake.
     
  6. Tjames90

    Tjames90 Bobtail Member

    12
    6
    May 4, 2017
    0
    I live in Virginia, and travel around the Northern VA, DC, and Maryland area. I live in Manassas. I am willing to travel to wherever the best opportunity is if I have to.
     
  7. Tjames90

    Tjames90 Bobtail Member

    12
    6
    May 4, 2017
    0
    You would not believe how shocked I was that other states have signage warning them of an upcoming speed change. I haven't seen them where I live. I do great if I know the area, and my policy is to drive 5mph below posted speed in unfamiliar territory, but that does nothing for me when I'm doing 50 in a 55, then come around the bend and suddenly I'm in a 30mph residential zone. It's very frustrating, other states like Florida also have this issue.
     
  8. FireLotus

    FireLotus Light Load Member

    267
    307
    Mar 26, 2017
    0
    There are many companies that will hire drivers even with those tickets...

    How is your job history?

    It is a total picture...
     
  9. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    68,439
    143,487
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    I was trying to find directions to some small town in Virginia and there was no place to pull over. Finally saw a wide spot in front of a small store; this was around 3 or 4 in the morning. I pulled over and started walking toward the store when a fat cop ran out and started yelling that I'm illegally parked. He then started yelling that he doesn't have to answer any questions and won;t until I find a place to legally park and then he might not answer my question anyway. Seems like every state has some special ed cops that are sympathy hires.
     
  10. Tjames90

    Tjames90 Bobtail Member

    12
    6
    May 4, 2017
    0
    It's great, I stay with companies for years at a time and have nothing but positive reviews all around. No periods of unemployment. No criminal history.
     
    FireLotus Thanks this.
  11. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

    4,888
    36,994
    Jan 23, 2015
    Winnipeg, MB, CA
    0
    That's awful. Some small towns in Saskatchewan have drops from 100 kph to 60-70 kph the more I think about it, giving you (in a truck at least) only a few seconds to drop down the speed. But enforcement is much less common than it probably is in the US.

    Sounds like a setup on behalf of the local bears to make their quotas. Just be honest, admit to the mistake, and don't try to pass the blame onto others. Trucking companies hate that.
     
    Tjames90 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.