Hi everyone. As per the title, I'm in need of advice. I'm a good driver (everyone probably says that, right?) but with an imperfect record. I've been in three car accidents, and issued citations for all of them. They weren't my fault (again, everyone says that....) but I was blamed. Two of the tickets were dismissed, the last one (March 2006) I payed because my witness was deemed unreliable. I also have had one speeding ticket this May that was reduced to 'improper equipment' and therefore not a moving violation. So my first question is: with this driving record am I eligible for a trucking job? I'd hate to get started and find out I can't get a job. Thank you for any information.
Yes, you're eligible, but what's the deal with all the accidents and are you sure this is the job for you? It's a lot easier to get in a wreck with a 70 foot truck and you have to drive defensively all the time or you won't last long. There are as many answers to eligibility as there are companies, but just put what they ask for and nothing more. If it's on record, put it down. Some companies have started hiring again where a short time ago everyone was very picky. Good luck.
Thanks for the quick reply Ken. I know it takes skill to drive truck, and I'm confident I can do it. To answer your question: first accident I was broad sided, second I was hit by a semi that changed lanes on top of me and ran me off the road, and third I was cut off and ended up with a sizable dent from a third car. If I wasn't a defensive driver, I'd be dead three times over. I had an unlucky streak I guess. Oh, and I screwed up, the last accident was 2007. Sorry. So if I'm eligible, how do I go about getting training? I know I can go to a driving school, but I'm reluctant to quit my job without another lined up, and I don't have the cash to pay out for training (hence the reason I need another job). Are there companies that will train me and I can reimburse them from my paychecks after I'm employed? Again, thank you for any information or advice.
Its best to talk to a school I would recomend a private school not linked to a company so if you quit your not liable to that company.talk to the school recruiter and tell them you would need to be prehired before you start school.best of luck and hope to see you on the road (just not to close).
WOAH!!!!!! The most experience I see advising here is 3 years! MY turn: -How do the accidents look on your MVR? Don't know? Monday go to the DMV and pay for a copy of your MVR. Should cost less than $10 for a 7 year copy. Does it show who's at fault in them? Do you have court records on the verdicts or the one you say your witness is deemed unreliable? -3 accidents in 4 years WILL cause a recruiter to look closer at you. But you do say 2 were dismissed so that brings it down to 1. You just MIGHT be ok UNLESS it falls in most companies 3 year no preventable accident time frame. -A driving mill will lie to you and take your money as that's ALL they want from you! Your money. They could care less if you get hired! -A company school will look at you and decide if they want to take a chance on you PLUS you have to go with what their insurance decides about you! ALSO be sure that this company will hire you after they put you through their mill! Yes, it's happened before! Take the driver, tell them ok we'll have you sign a contract and then decide not to hire you but bill you stupid money for their driver mill! The best advice was look at a private school like a community college. 2/3 the cost of a mill and better time per student than a driving mill too! Good Luck Rollover
I would take a close look at your driving habits since you seem to get into accidents often. Not trying to come down on you, but if you pay attention while driving, you can actually avoid an accident in most cases. Kinda like the pedestrian who starts to cross the intersection as soon as the light turns green without looking to make sure traffic is stopping.
Thanks to all for the advice. Mack, I'll keep my distance. Rollover, I'll head to the DMV Monday morning. I don't know if I have the court records, but I'll check. Is that information on the MVR? Also, the first accident was in November 2002, so it's been almost 8 years. The other 2 were March 2006 and I think April 2007. So it's been 2 accidents in the past 4 years. Allow, believe me, I kicked myself after each accident. I'm a much better driver now. During the first accident I was on antidepressants to control the pain of fibromyalgia, and the other 2 I was on pain killers for the same reason. I don't take any prescriptions anymore. I watch my diet and exercise instead. So it sounds like a community college is my best bet, or a private school but only if I get a contract with a company first? Do community college courses prehire? Are there state grants for this sort of thing? Again, many thanks for all the great information.
