At what point are you unhireable?

How long can you sit out of the truck before you are not hireable OTR? Seems like Mega's or any company have a limit because of insurance?

 

There is always somebody who'll hore, with some you may just have to go with a trainer temporarily.

 

Most Megas want a refresher course if you have been off the road for 2 to 3 years. Smaller private fleets may be more flexible.

 

There's no age limit and you're hirable as long as you can pass the DOT physical.

 

Abilene Motor Express hires drivers that have been off the road 20 years or more.
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Nationwide Motor Freight Company | Abilene Motor Express
Nationwide Motor Freight Company | Abilene Motor Express
Abilene Motor Express is recognized nationwide for our prompt and reliable motor freight services to destinations throughout the continental US. Customers appreciate our flexibility and prompt response to their needs.

 

I have met a few people at shippers and receivers that always tell me the smaller to mid sized companies will hire you as long as you go with a trainer for an X amount of time. One guy at my company had his CDL for 4 years but never used it, when COVID hit and his office company furloughed him, he finally started to put his CDL in good use and my company put him with a trainer for 2 months.

 

i seen 2 the other day on I-81 driving crazy nuts

 

I can't speak for every company out there but i was out of a truck for 3 yrs. Had to renew my cdl cuz it expired during that 3 yrs. I found a company that had around 200 trucks. They hired me cuz they were able to verify 1 or 2 yrs experience in that previous 10 yrs. I called 2 spiral note book pages full of companies that wouldn't hire me just cuz i just got my cdl back an didn't have recent experience in previous 3 yrs. That was my personal experience. Climate Express hired me. So not sure what you're looking for but give them a call. They may be able to work with ya.

 

Let's boil all the fat off the bone and just say it! You are hirable if you have a CDL and can get a medical card as well as not popping a positive on a urine drug screen. If you don't have a CDL you are still hirable if you have a regular DL and otherwise can get a CDL. This is the baseline. Anything further depends on the carrier and its policies.

On a personal note. That word un-hirable as it relates to employment gaps is a bit of a misnomer in my opinion. A driver is really un-hirable when they have more accidents/incidents than fingers and toes. There comes a point when a carrier round files your applications.

 

I can 2nd that. A guy was in the same orientation class as I was and had been out of a truck for 4 years. Climate brought him on and he's still with us over there. He had extensive experience beforehand..one of the companies he was with bellied up, and then he went to Ozark Motor Lines I believe. He had oversize experience and everything. Been driving altogether 18 years, though I forgot why he had to step away.