Future OTR driver with a question..

Hello all, I have a few questions regarding my driving record, as i'm sure most WannaBes do. But hear me out..

Quickly about me, about to be 23 year old female, live in Sacramento Ca. NEVER been handcuffed in my life, no criminal record what-so-ever.
Drugs and irresponsible drinking is a NO, I don't play with any of that non-sense. Some college under my belt BUT i'm really looking to forward to
getting a CDL A and starting a career OTR. Need the independence, the open road, the ownership and all that good stuff.

I'm looking into trucking schools and companies that offer school sponserd training. The problem I could see myself having is my driving record.

4 moving violations in the past 5 years:
08-2008 (california stop)
09-2009 (basic speed law)
09-2009 (basic speed law)
11-2010 (illegal left turn)

I'm told that due to the age of these there would normally be no problem BUT, these are the violation dates. Due to the fact I was a
broke college student while I procured these, it took some time to pay them off...lots of time.

Coviction dates are as such
08-2008 CONV: 12-2011
09-2009 CONV: 09-2010
09-2009 CONV: 09-2010
11-2010 CONV: 05-2011

In this manner it would put me at 4 violations in the past 3 years, which I hear makes getting a OTR job much harder.
SO the questions are:

#1. Do companies look at the violation or conviction dates
#2. Is there any way to clear up my record with DMV
#3. What companies will hire me with 4 violations in 3 years if all else fails

Thanks in advance! any advice would be appreciated.

 

More than 2 violations in the last 3 years pretty much kills it for an experienced driver. So I would say it doesnt look good.

Maybe you should try driving for 5 years violation free before becoming a professional.

 

Companies have different criteria concerning this. Some are vague, on the websites, so look at each application on a case by case basis. Some companies may give waivers, but don't say so on their website. For example, Navajo, just says, good MVR. What's OK to one company, is not, to another. I understand Paschall Truck Lines gives waivers on a case by case basis. Bekins says no more than 6 within the last 36 months. Panther Expedite will hire you with no more than 3 moving violations within the last 36 months; so when one violation drops off, you would be good to go with Panther. They will even hire you with no experience for cargo vans and straight trucks, if you have a CDL. You will have to research the companies, one by one, that interest you. A note of caution, if you go to a CDL school such as a community college, you will need to be hired within 30-90 days after receiving your CDL/CDL school graduation, otherwise after that, your CDL may not be recognized. That's all I can offer; perhaps some others can answer your other questions. Best wishes.

 

The norm in the industry its no more than 3 violations in three years. Chinatown is right though there companies out there that will hire you with more violations you are just going to have to look. I started driving when I was 20 and had several major violations and found a company that would hire me. I stuck it out there for a year and moved on. So good luck to you and feel free to ask I will try to answer what I can!

 

I'd wait a year or two and age out some of those violations. Let this be a lesson, ALWAYS fight your tickets in court. Sometimes a bored judge will plea out a moving violation into something with "no-points, fine only" since often the municipalities are only interested in the cash.

Just found out this summer that if you have a $1500 overweight ticket and the officer doesn't show up to court it's dismissed automatically!

And not that it's fair to us guys, but there might be some companies that want to boost their PC image and have quotas for female drivers. Might help you out a bit.

 

Rain- kid..I live in calif too so I know what I am talking about.Go to the the DMV and get a 3 year printout .it will only show one conviction they drop 3 years from the violation date. You are good... With that one last two year voilation, that will drop in 11-13..go for it..some companies out here want a copy of your H-6 DMV report (10 year) I would just pass on those companies.

 

Thanks everyone. @bigdogpile that helps ALOT. I had gone to the DMV and printed out an H-6 thinking this would be what companies were looking for. I will go back and just get a three year print out and look at companies were this is all thats required. Thanks!

 

"there might be some companies that want to boost their PC image and have quotas for female drivers."

It might not be fair but I'm guessing there's some truth to that. I have a sneaking suspision that my odds are somewhat
better for that reason alone. lol

 

Lol ..I believe that..affirmative actions for females !!

 

If you can find a Traffic Attorney that can clean that Driving Record, you'll be fine.