Ok my question involves me admitting to something I'm not real proud of since it was my own bonehead doing. I'm wondering what exactly do trucking companies look for on your MVR? My history has no accidents ever since I started driving at 16 (I'm now 29), I've only had one moving violation which was failure to signal over 5 years ago. But my problem is with license suspensions due to child support issues.. I am planning on going to swift and they said no more then 1 suspension within a 3 year period which I'm fine on however I heard they check up to 10 years of your driving record which may pull up 2 other suspensions prior.. Here in Colorado, even if you miss one child support payment (at least my caseworker) they will suspend your license so now I'm real careful about it.. So 3 times I missed payments due to financial problems in my past (this was right at the beginning of the economic crisis). Anyways, It's still my fault for missing the payments, that's not what this is about, what it's about is if they find the 3 suspensions from long time ago is it going to void my chances of getting into any company? I mean I do qualify under swifts No more then 1 in 3 years however I hope the recruiter wasn't lying. How do other companies deal with non driving related license suspensions?
Don't know about Swift, but I do know I couldn't get into Werner for the same reason. I had a suspension right before I got my CDL. I was told to wait 6 months. It wasn't an issue for the company I went with or the one I'm currently with.
They usually look at suspension as a suspension despite what its for. Maybe look into the smaller companies or wait a few years more.
I think the companys see a suspension as a very bad thing no matter what it is for. I mean if you are out on the road driving thier truck and they get notifyed that you are now suspended they Will NOT be happy.
Most carriers will only pull a 3 year mvr. In fact, some states will only allow a 3 year history. Carriers will need a 10 year work history to comply with federal law. Suspensions are serious, but from your post it sounds like it has been about 3 years, so it may have already dropped off or may drop shortly. Carriers make their own rules. Some will not count it if has been almost 3 years. They will want an explanation. Smaller carriers can be more flexible than many of the large carriers. The best thing would be to go with the company you want and see what happens.
Yeah swift policy is as states "No more then one suspension in a 3 year period and must have had your license valid for over 1 year" So according to that I am fine but I've heard of swift and other companies saying one thing and then saying another at orientation. I guess it's no loss if I can't go swift as there are many other start up companies.. my other suspensions were over 7 years ago. Each one though was only 3 months long. Child support must receive 3 consecutive payments on time before releasing the license.
I didn't include in my OP that I had spoken to the recruiter here in Denver for swift and he said as long as it's once in 3 years but any more then that would have to be sent to corporate for approval.. I'm good on the one in 3 years but not sure if I can believe a recruiter..
Carriers are only required to check the last three years mvr and work history. They can check further back should they so desire. If you want to work for Swift then you may as well put in your application. You will never know until you try. Some recruiters will tell you about anything that they think you want to hear. There are good recruiters. Some are very straightforward and honest in their recruitment practices.
