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Need advise please....

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014.

  1. Jul 30, 2014 #1
    yankeefan

    yankeefan Light Load Member

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    Hey guys and gals it's been a while since I've was here. I'm having some issues and need your advise. I got arrested in 2000 for a drug charge. Did 4 years in prison and came out in 2004 with 4 years of probation, which I finished in 2008. This is the only case I have ever had. In 2006 I took out my Class A drivers license and quickly got a local job, but driving 38' straight truck with double axle. The company never gave me the opportunity to drive their tractor trailers (which I really wanted to and the reason I took out a class A and not a class B). I was making a decent amount of money so I never made it an issue. After 2 years with the company I had a personal problem and had to move. That was 5 years ago and the company went out of business so I can't go back. I decided to apply to most of the big truck company, like swift, werner, etc... Overall I apply to 9 companies and all but 1 shot me down either because of my felony or I did not have any experience. Knight Transportation was the only one that gave me a little hope because the recruiter told me that they could work with my felony, but that I needed a 40 hr refresher course that I have to pay myself. She told me that once I get that refresher course to give her a call. I've look into that refresher course and it's way to much money for me to pay myself. Now my question is; if Knight Transportation has their squire program, why not give me the course themselves? If this can't happen then why does DMV let people with felonies get their CDL if companies don't want to give guys like me an opportunity? Don't really know what to do and need advise.
    Thank you and sorry for this being so long.
     
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jul 30, 2014 #2
    bigkev1115

    bigkev1115 Road Train Member

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    The main reason that you re required to do a refresher course is the simple fact that you ve had a big gap in time since you ve driven a commercial vehicle. I believe ( don t quote me on it) that after so many months to a year or so without recent verifiable experience, they want to make sure that you still have the skills and polish up on driving again
     
    bigkev1115, Jul 30, 2014
    bigkev1115, Jul 30, 2014
    #2
    Chinatown and yankeefan Thank this.
  4. Jul 30, 2014 #3
    lfod14

    lfod14 Road Train Member

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    Jan 9, 2014
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    If your not disqualified, why would DMV not give you a license? Companies hiring habits aren't DMV's problem. Do a search here on the forum for "felony", and "second chance". This get's brought up a lot. There ARE a handful of companies that will take you, the pay will be on the lower side, but gotta start somewhere. The school I went to referred the un-hireable to Carolina Cargo which took them all. But those were guys fresh out of jail and such. You may be able to do better than that. Depending on what exactly you were convicted of could be the determining factor on whether you get hired or not. If a non-violent offence you may be in slightly better shape. Expect a bigger carrier to look into it if they talk to you so be honest.
     
    lfod14, Jul 30, 2014
    lfod14, Jul 30, 2014
    #3
    yankeefan Thanks this.
  5. Jul 30, 2014 #4
    BUMBACLADWAR

    BUMBACLADWAR Road Train Member

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    Well,its sad to say but,dmv lets felons get a CDL for the MONEY. They dont care if you ever drive a truck. Yeah,most of the megas want to see(1 out of the last 2) or 2 out of the last 3 years) some guidelines. Insurance companies control who they hire by your insurability. They say oh" he'll be expensive or we wont insure him" Hes got a felony and no recent or any experience. I dont know if youre inclined to drive for a less desirable trucking job, but they have them.Some of these "physical" jobs are easy to initially get hired at. Examples,trash(waste) companies,Food service. Some of these pay more for insurance( desperate for drivers) Because no one wants to unload 600 lbs of oranges on a dolly,then go 2 miles away and do it over all day,every day. Drug felony not in a CMV and not theft or dui,they might ignore it. EXAMPLE: go to work in food delivery for a couple years,put more time behind the felony and youll have recent experience.Just what I would do. JMO
     
    BUMBACLADWAR, Jul 30, 2014
    BUMBACLADWAR, Jul 30, 2014
    #4
    yankeefan Thanks this.
  7. Jul 30, 2014 #5
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Yes, you can get a CDL if you've had a felony. No rules against it.
     
    Allow Me., Jul 30, 2014
    Allow Me., Jul 30, 2014
    #5
    yankeefan Thanks this.
  8. Jul 30, 2014 #6
    yankeefan

    yankeefan Light Load Member

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    bigkev1115 that after so many months to a year or so without recent verifiable experience, they want to make sure that you still have the skills and polish up on driving again[/QUOTE]
    Thanks for the reply. Then to ask the question again, why wouldn't knight offer me their training instead of telling me to go pay for it myself? Are they really willing to work with me?
     
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    #6
  9. Jul 30, 2014 #7
    yankeefan

    yankeefan Light Load Member

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    snatale42 Thank you for the reply and I guess your right about it not being DMV's problem.
     
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    #7
  10. Jul 30, 2014 #8
    yankeefan

    yankeefan Light Load Member

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    Aug 3, 2007
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    Thanks for the reply and good advise, but to "put more time behind the felony" would take me what 5 more years? I'm already reaching 45 years of age. I don't want to go otr at 50. I would love to do it now that I'm still healthy. But once again thank you so much for the good advice. I'll definitely will look into some of the companies you mentioned if knight and I can't work it out.
     
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    yankeefan, Jul 30, 2014
    #8
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  11. Jul 30, 2014 #9
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Western Express has a refresher and hires felons. It's free if you stay 9 months. You will run 48 states.
     
    Chinatown, Jul 30, 2014
    Chinatown, Jul 30, 2014
    #9
    123456 and yankeefan Thank this.
  12. Jul 31, 2014 #10
    yankeefan

    yankeefan Light Load Member

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    Aug 3, 2007
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    Thank you so much for this information. I will look into it right now!, Thank you
     
    yankeefan, Jul 31, 2014
    yankeefan, Jul 31, 2014
    #10
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