RE: sketchy work history

Talk to a recruiter.

 

Some companies will take you. The economy is rough and has been for awhile & trucking companies know that.

Some states have programs to pay for CDL school, if you can't afford a private school on your own.
If funding is available, sometimes Goodwill Industries pays for CDL school.

There are 3 companies that have or fund CDL school and no money needed up front, except maybe license fees. Can apply online with all 3 :

Prime Inc.
JBS Carriers
Central Refrigerated

If requested by the company, you will need notorized affidavit/letter signed by family or neighbor that you did odd jobs in the area because there were no full time jobs available.

Apply with these 3 companies and keep us informed.

Try PAM also, don't know any details on the program though; Google : PAM trucking

 

You should just need one, probably two signed letters / affidavits from family members or close friends that can vouche for your history, how long and what you were doing during that time frame. You don't need anything from the people that you did work for. Best thing is talk to the recruiter, all companies have their own way of doing things.

 

Sure, contact a recruiter.
The affidavit/letter, if requested, doesn't have to be signed by people you did work for. Companies usually accept it signed by a family member verifying they know you were unemployed and doing odd jobs.

The assault charge, if it will show on a background check, should be listed. If it shows during a background check, and you didn't list it, the company might send you home.

 

There is a possibility that you may have to find some kind of VERIFIABLE work for a minimum of 3 years, if you do not have a CDL. If you have a CDL, then the trucking companies go back 10 years on your work history. Once you have 3 years under your belt, you will have a much better chance at securing employment with various trucking companies.

Some of those companies may go back further into your work history, (referring to someone with no prior CDL employment). This may have to do with insurance company requirements on the part of the company. If all else fails, try to secure some kind of VERIFIABLE employment for a full 3 years for both school and to put onto an application with a trucking company.

Be sure to save those 3 years of W-2 forms as tangible proof of those 3 years of VERIFIABLE employments, just in case the company, (or companies), shut down or go out of business altogether. Also, keep a record of both your start and ending dates of employment.

Good luck to you!

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

get your assault charge expunged from your record. cuz you won't have time once you hit the road. and you'll be doing yourself a big favor for future jobs.

 

No real need to go flip burgers for 3 years, most will accept a letter stating you been out of work, or simple put Unemployed during such time. That what I did back in 2008 when I returned to Trucking after being out for 7 years.