Do i have a chance at becoming a truck driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by mistakebythelake, May 25, 2010.

  1. mistakebythelake

    mistakebythelake Bobtail Member

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    May 25, 2010
    Cleveland, Ohio
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    I want to be a truck driver and earn some decent cash but with misdemeanor charges and one DUI do I even have a chance?

    Tomorrow I am going to all the local court houses to get a print out of my criminal history and then to the ohiobmv to get a print out of my driving record.

    In order to drive across country state to state, what do the trucking companies work with in order to get employment?
    I know they are really strict but do I even have a chance four years from now if I stay out of trouble?

    As far as speeding tickets and everything goes.....if you had a lot in the past but your record is clean now are you eligible?
    I haven't had a ticket since 2006 but I had a few tickets before then
    I know DUI's are on your record for 10 years but , if you only have one at it happened 6 years ago do you have a chance of getting hired?

    Lastly, I have a bunch of misdemeanors spanning from 1999,2000,2002,2005, and 2007. I have no felonies; I just was stupid as a young child. If I stay out of trouble for 7 years is there a chance a company will hire me? Most common background checks go back seven years but do I need to disclose every single conviction past the seven years? I know if they find out you are pretty much out of a job......but with the seven year purge I might still have a chance....

    so as long as I am seven years without any driving trouble and criminal trouble, can I get a truck driving job?
     
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  3. rubbergearsnextyear

    rubbergearsnextyear Heavy Load Member

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    Nov 7, 2007
    Lexington, SC
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    Me too lol. You're going to have a lot of trouble getting a decent job in trucking with your history, especially with the new CSA laws going into effect soon. You can definitely get some kind of job out there, but you probably will not be making "decent cash" for quite a while.

    I think there's a list of companies somewhere on here that hire people with DUI's and not so great histories but your other traffic offenses add on top of that DUI as well and make you even much less attractive to companies. Even people with great records and experience are having a tough time getting jobs these days so you'll be way behind them.

    Might want to venture into another line of work IMO.
     
  4. statikuz

    statikuz Medium Load Member

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    Jun 22, 2009
    Reno Nevada
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    In general the consensus seems to be that you're essentially boned. It's not likely that you'll get a job with any reasonably-sized company. There are a lot of people trying to get into the industry and a lot of them have perfectly clean records. Maybe a ticket or a misdemeanor might be overlooked by a hiring manager but a DUI and a "bunch" of misdemeanors won't be. Your best bet would be to seek employment with a much smaller company that might be willing to overlook your history.
     
  5. mistakebythelake

    mistakebythelake Bobtail Member

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    May 25, 2010
    Cleveland, Ohio
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    Can you lie if you have a clear driving record and at least 7 years with no criminal offences? I used to drink a ton in my early twenties and I am the first to admit I haven't always been perfect. I don't drink anymore, I even hate the way it makes me feel. I know you lose your job if your employer tries to dig deep in your history past the seven year but I could have a shot at a trucking career if I keep my record clean for the rest of my life here on out.....
     
  6. Jimbo60

    Jimbo60 Medium Load Member

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    Nov 25, 2009
    High desert CA
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    Sure you could lie - it doesn't say much about your character if you do though. It's not exactly getting off on the right foot and, it doesn't say much about your current level of honesty either.

    What if you lie and go to a company orientation a few hundred miles from home and they find out while you're there? They kick you out and you get to find your own way home - it does happen.

    What happens if they find out about it several months later while you're working for them? They put you out of the truck on the spot and now you have to get yourself and your stuff home. Maybe a thousand miles now - it does happen.

    Get a job honestly.

    Sorry if it's harsh - it's just my 2 cents.


    ................ Jim
     
  7. TREE

    TREE Heavy Load Member

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    May 11, 2010
    OHIO
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    I agree,i have had a few buddy's lie and all where caught up on it .
     
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