Hi there! My name is Steve and I live in San Diego currently. Economy has turned very sour and I've been looking for a line of work. My grandfather has been a trucker for over 40 years working with Sony, Foodmaker and finally TNT/USF/Yellow Roadways. I was raised by him, and since being a trucker gave us a relatively good life I'm looking into it! I was looking at a few different schools online and reading reviews on them, along with getting input from my grandfather. I heard great things about Swift and Prime and their schooling (along with advice to stay away from England) and spoke with a recruiter this last week. I've filled out the application, faxed over paperwork, and was just emailed their study course. They get my driving report on Monday. Here's the question I have. My record is less than stellar but I do not have any accidents in the last five years but there are a variety of other issues that are a mixture of my fault and not my fault. In 2007 I received a speeding ticket, paid the fine. It's no longer on my record but Swift wants to go back 5 years instead of the standard 3. In 2008 I got a clickit ticket (my fault, I pulled out of the drivethru in front of a police officer and didn't put the belt back on beforehand, oops) and a fixit ticket. The fixit ticket itself wasn't so bad but it spiraled into a nightmare. The day I got the ticket I was heading down to use the car as a tradein and the dealer sold me a lemon. Did a voluntary repo on it and since the finance company kicked it back to the dealer, he fought me for WEEKS on getting the paperwork regarding the vehicle I got the ticket on. I wasn't able to get it straightened out until I went to the judge after my license was suspended and the jerk ended up costing me almost $400 by the time all was said and done. Oh well. Live and learn! I've received one ticket for not having proof of insurance with me, but it was cleared up. May of last year I had a cell-phone ticket, and earlier this year there was a glitch with my new insurance company not notifying the DMV when I purchased a new policy (thats what I get for going to the shady guy who insures everyone ) and I never received anything in the mail about it until I got a notice my registration was suspended. Went to the DMV the very next day and cleared that up. So to summarize, in the last three years I've had a click-it ticket, and a cellphone ticket, both moving violations. The other issues (no proof of insurance, the license and registration suspensions) from what I've read don't impact the ability to get a CDL license. I've been nervous and will be for the whole weekend The reason why it's hard for me to clear up some of these things or find out about them is because for the last two years, I've been a vandweller working as a freelance graphic designer. Economy tanked here in San Diego, and my friends and I lost our place to live at the same time. I get my mail sent to my grandparents house and sometimes with them as the middle man, stuff doesn't make it to me. Given the fact my DR has no accidents (never been in one, knock on wood) but the other issues mentioned, can anyone give me a hint as to what to expect Swift's answer to be regarding this? Assuming it all goes well, I'll be taking a bus to Phoenix for their school, and be back in San Diego in a few weeks Thanks!
It should only be 2 (one point each for the cellphone and the seatbelt). The suspensions don't add points to the license, and none of them were reckless driving convictions. From what I've read, I know certain things like a DUI will prevent you from being hired by Swift or any other reputable company regardless of how many points you have on your license. I was just curious if the issues I mentioned were anything like that. Been reading up on this company and trucking in general on this forum for the last, oh, 12 hours? Some great stories and some horror stories with every company I've looked at so far! Thanks to everyone for being helpful, and I look forward to being a member here!
Did you ask your recruiter? Seatbelt, cell phone? I doubt it having an effect. I could be wrong! They will go back all the way to day 1 looking for suspensions, or revocations for any reason! The insurance ticket won't count. No 15 over the limit tickets?
I told the recruiter this morning about the issues with the revocation and the three moving violations in the last 5 years. The MVR should be in her office in the next few hours, but she said if those were the only three tickets and none of them were reckless driving convictions, I should be fine. Barring that and something horrible showing up in my DOT physical, I start class in Phoenix on the 23rd!
Grr! The DMV was supposed to get swift my info today but it didn't happen. Here's hoping for tomorrow!
