big or small problem

I want to get back into trucking, that is tractor trailers, tankers really is what I want to drive. For the past 8 years I have been driving a roll off truck, dumpster truck, t800 kenworth 430 hp cat, 8ll transmission, however this is a class b truck. Its been a little over a year since I last pulled a trailer, dumpster business is slow so part time I drove for my former employer in the logging business with a 42 foot trailer. The problem is when I applyfor a tanker job or any other the companys usually want to check your records with the dot numbers from your company on their trucks, neither of my employers have them since they only operate in NC they aren't required to have them. The terminals I want to work for are in my city but their home office is in like Ohio or something and they tell me its hard to verify my past driving record with no D.O.T. numbers to go by. Can they not call my former employers and get the information ? I have had my cdls for over 15 years, perfect driving record, no tickets or accidents and now have all endorsements. My total tractor trailer experience is over 6 years and I used to run 5200 miles per week team in the late 90's, as well as local logging driving for 3 years. Total miles driven between class A and B trucks is over 350,000 miles, but it is hard to prove because even the trucking company I used to drive for is out of business. Is this going to be impossible to get back in the game without going to work for a bottom feeder ? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Exactly what is a refresher course and how is it different from a full blown cdl school. What are the costs and for how long ? Thanks in advance for your help in this matter