Just gettin started.

My husband is just starting out himself. He's going to a company sponsored school. He has something on his record from 2005 but it wasn't anything major. I hope you find something soon! Good luck!

 

Define "not the best" (unless you don't want to get into "gory detail").

If it's SO BAD that you can't get a company hire, then, hmmmm...

Plenty of "criminal types" that are driving trucks - and most companies (though some are pretty picky) will overlook some "minor youthful indiscretions" - recent DRUG FELONIES are a no-no (recent meaning 7 years usually), a string of misdemeanors (same time limitations usually) are also somewhat frowned upon - as are crimes of violence/gun crimes.

Hard to "lend insight", with some additional info. My CDL school would TAKE YOU (country vocational), and the director would ask you about criminal history - and kinda let you know if you were "wasting your time"...

Rick

 

Well - you likely aren't going to get a company hire with that.

And as far as O/O goes - you won't be able to get 48 State Trucking Liability with a brandy-new CDL (at least not easily) - so going out on your own MC isn't likely to happen (plus it's uber-expensive - even with 500 mile radius, if you can get it). And, "leasing onto" a carrier with your own tractor - the same is going to apply - you're going to be difficult to INSURE with a new CDL (most are going to want at least 6 months to a year OTR experience to take you on ANYWAY), and the recent conviction is going to preclude even leasing on with any of the "majors" that are going to turn you down as a company driver BECAUSE OF the conviction.

I'm not "sitting in judgment" here in the weed thing personally - but the drug convictions are a BIG RED FLAG in this industry. I hate to be negative - and there's a shot you could find (what's called around here) a "bottom feeder company" that will hire you on as a company driver - but - despite all the "industry hype" about "driver shortages" (and it's not ALL hype - as CSA is knocking a lot of company drivers out of the seat), there's plenty of new entrants WITHOUT the baggage of a recent drug felony conviction to choose from.

So, much as I hate to discourage ANYONE from the industry, when they truly want to try this out - you're likely to get "passed over" until that conviction is at least 7 years old. Finish CDL school, keep your nose clean - let you CDL get to be a year old (so at least you're "somewhat insurable"), keep looking at companies that MIGHT OVERLOOK the conviction - though again - at less than 7 years old PLUS a "drug SALES" conviction (even through most states, when it's over 20g, consider it "intent to sell", when it's really for "personal use" - unless you had it "bagged up in dime baggies") you're going to have a NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TIME getting a hire - either as a Lease/Operator or Company Driver.

Rick

 

You might want to look locally to the trash haulers, construction contractors, etc if you do get your CDL. Some of them (especially the trash companies) might look past your record if they need to put someone in a seat. Get your time in with one of them and after your conviction is beyond the 7 year mark, look into the more reputable companies. You'll then have 2+ years experience and a cleaner record working in your favor.

 

Progressive will insure you but you are looking at $12-14,000 a year. Are you sure those "other" companies are understanding you correctly because I know of no other insurance company who will insure someone with no experience.