Is there a way for employers to check previous CDL jobs held?

Yes. And you must tell the DOT physical folks (not the company) what your previous medical problem was.

On this issue, they do not play around. The company however, may not ever know the nature of your illness but the physical have every right to ask. If it is unsafe for you to drive you do not want to drive. Period. The job pays well but not enough to risk your life or the safety of the public.

 

They go and check your DAC report...or USIS as it's now called. Any (decent) company you work for will report your employment to them...time worked, accident report, conditions on which you left the company, etc. Just like any company (decent) will check that report when you apply.

Now having said that, tell them about this last company. Most places you apply for will work with a slightly negative hit on your DAC...excepting quit under load, abandoning equipment, etc.; if you tell them. If you don't, it's like you're lying to them. They will (and should) fire you and send you home. After all you're asking them to trust you with rather expensive equipment, and possibly highly valuable customer freight...with minimum supervision; and you want to start out by being dishonest?

 

By law (FMCSA regs), you are required to give your last ten years employment record.

 

If it's a job that falls under FMCSA regs, you must list it. If it doesn't, that is a different story.

 

I suppose I'm different; you seem very concerned about the illness you had. I wouldn't list the other job & I wouldn't mention the illness if its something the DOT physical won't see on a blood test, etc, & not something that will affect your driving ability. In the human being there is an innate need to confess or reveal information even if it negatively affects a person. If your DAC is clean, then you're clean. Try just one company first to see what happens. If they hire you, stay with them 6 mos. then move on if you want. If you're required refresher training & don't have money, go with company that will provide that.

CLICK HERE for a list of trucking companies that hire new drivers.

 

I have driven for several Class B companies and Not 1 has ever reported to DAC. I have also Driven for Class A companies and most never reported to my DAC. Most of the "big" companies will report to DAC just because if you won't drive for them they don't want you to drive for anyone.

 

NEVER lie on an application! That will get you passed over if it's found before you are hired, and can get you fired if found out after. Just let the prospective employers know that it was a temporary thing.

As far as the illness, it would depend on what it is. If it's something that just kicked your backside but doesn't show up on any tests, then it's not a big issue. There are specific medical issues that will block you from driving or require more effort to enable you to drive (medications, monitoring, etc.). Some medications are not allowed for truck drivers no matter what.

Either way, you will need to explain the gap in employment on the application. The larger issue is how long you have held your CDL. If you have had it for several years, it may not be an issue, but if you have only had it for a little over a year, then you are going to have problems getting back in the seat. Being out of the seat for a long period of time can be problematic.