Can I be a trucker?

No choir boys? Dang.

 

You can be anything you want to be if you want it bad enough

 

You should check in the state where the trucking company is headquartered. In some states it's illegal to ask about expunged or pardoned charges. They can't ask about misdemeanors in most states. If the company goes to Canada, forget about it. The Canadians won't let you in the country. I have a pardon for a felony from 1975 and when asked about convictions I just answer "No". It hasn't caused me any trouble so far.

 

Lastbreath I think that if its that much of a technicality you need to consult with your lawyer. That is where you will get your exact answer. Keep in mind that these mega-carriers have their own private investigator departments and they will find out everything and anything! May not be right away but a month or two you will be driving down the road and they will call you into the nearest terminal to send you packing because you weren't truthful or they didn't like your answers on your app.

 

Yes, I do currently work in HR and have for 8 years. I don't recruit for any national/regional OTR carrier and my recruiting for truck drivers has been limited to truck drivers for my company (at the time) for dedicated routes. You are correct in that some companies take charges on a case-by-case basis--generally the most important factors are what the charge was for and time elapsed since the charge. A third factor is how relevant the charge is to the particular type of work you will be performing. Something like a simple assault 5 or 10 years ago on your record isn't going to mean as much to me as an aggravated assault less than 1 year ago.

If the company does not have any policies barring those with convictions working for the company, or have customers who have restrictions on contractors with convictions being on their premises then the second chance decision is pretty much up to the hiring manager and the HR manager. I've personally hired three truck drivers on a second chance: one with a felony (7 yrs old) for stealing a machine, one with 2 misdemeanors for passing bad checks, and one who had expunged charges. All of them worked out just fine, and the company had no problems with them...they are all still with the company (I've moved on) 10 years later. The companies I've been at where we have had to hire truck drivers go by the DOT rules as far as charges that can't be overlooked; obviously if someone comes to us and we find out they hauled hundreds of kilos of drugs in their trailer then they are out of luck at any trucking job. One company would look at violence charges if they were older (at least 8 years) and were relatively minor.

Generally, companies will go with candidates who don't have a record first but there are incentives (tax breaks for companies) who hire ex-offenders. There are some recruiters/HR staff who won't have an issue giving someone a second chance if they feel comfortable with the individual and if the person shows they are honest about the charge in the past and how they have since changed their behavior. My advice would be to apply and be honest about the charges up front.

 

Could you please provide a reference for the incentives a convict or offender may get over a driver that has a clean record. I do not believe you for the simple fact it makes no sense. Maybe there's other factors involved such as veteran, race, and so one.

 

Recently released individuals (less than 1 yr ago) qualify employers for a tax break under the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. There are several other covered groups : http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/opptax/eligible.cfm

 

LastBreath, be careful how you answer those questions that ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime. In CA it may not be a conviction but to the dot it will be, and if you consult a lawyer make sure he/she knows the fmcsr rules and regulations. I went to Werner and answered no to ever being convicted because in MD I received a PBJ and that is not a conviction in MD, but I pleaded quilty to get a lesser charge and according to the book it is considered a conviction. This was after my lawyer told me to answer no to those questions. So I would be honest and tell them about your charges. section 390.5