Rejected by 2 carriers...WTF

Hi all, this is my first post...though I have been reading the boards for a while now.

I qualify for free CDL training and have been looking into it.

I've read about the "bottom feeder" carriers most have to start out with etc and was shocked when I was rejected TWICE.

The first was Werner. Said it was for 3 alcohol offenses. This blew my mind because I have 2 misdemeanor charges from 1992/1993...one for possession and one for consumption by a minor. Neither vehicle related. I also have a DUI from 1997 that was dismissed after successful completion of court supervision. None of that mattered, apparently to them I'm some sort of drunk.

Wow.

Then on to Marvin Keller. Took their online "road assessment" test and the next day was told "we are moving forward with other candidates" would not tell me what the issue was, just the canned response from HR.

Is this normal? It seems to me like trucking may not be an option for me. I figured I could hire on somewhere, get some tanker experience and head to Texas.

 

The alcohol offenses, whether misdemeanor or DUI (dismissed or not) are a huge problem for you. Most of that stuff will stay on your record for life, and with three, you are pretty much done. Two is often hard enough, and some places won't even touch one.

 

Anything alcohol related at any time is a BIG red flag for all of the carriers. you might try a small local carrier that is willing to take you on, if his insurance will allow it. Plus to them your a name and a face, not a number and a risk calculation.

 

Your early alcohol charges now disqualify you for running in Canada with a commercial vehicle. Even though those charges are on your "sealed" juvenile record, Canada uses INTERPOL records which do not seal juvie records. Apparently being able to drive in Canada is now a requirement with Werner.

Try Swift, Roehl, Millis, or other training companies.

I know what its like for ya, I've got a misdemeanor supplying alcohol to minors conviction and a misdemeanor transportation of alcohol underage conviction on my criminal record. Neither has ever stopped me from getting a job as a driver, but I was lucky in that none of the carriers I worked for had Canada qualified to drive as a requirement for new hires.

That DUI will likely still cause problems for you even if it was dismissed. DUI's are major bad news in this industry, and many companies have a zero tolerance policy on DUIs.

 

CLICK HERE for a list of trucking companies that hire new drivers.

Keep appplying. You may have to attend a private or community college CDL school then go with a smaller carrier. Put your location on your profile.

 

I don't even think the outlaw mecca where once worked would touch someone with drug or alcohol issues

 

Some carriers do cut ppl some slack if only one offense but you have 3 for the same thing.Werner is one of the lowest bottom feeder company,if they disqualified you then plan on others to do the same thing.Even though I wouldn't recommend this next company to my worst enemy you may not have a choice but try crengland.They suck but you need to get your cdl in good standards with companies.Not saying they'll hire you but its worth a shot.

 

Your pretty well screwed bud. I was told before I even got my regular drivers license keep your record clean and thank god I have. A good friend of mine almost never got trucking job because he has 2 DUIs. Another good friend of mine lost his CDL's for 10 years and drivers license for 3 years because of DUIs. He was a really good truck driver but drinkin got him in trouble.

If you do get on with a company you better walk the straight and narrow for the rest of your career driving, one more conviction of any kind for you is gonna fry you.

 

Perhaps they saw a pattern........

 

You need to pull a criminal back ground report on yourself and see what is on it. You may also want to pull your MVR. Most carriers and insurance companies check the last 3 years on your MVR. They may look further with the criminal check. Most are primarily looking for felonies or those offenses regarding alcohol and drugs. If the DUI was dismissed, it should not be a problem. However, the record you presented will be problematic if it shows up on a criminal background check. While some carriers won't consider any driver who has a DUI, others will consider you after 7 to 10 years have passed, providing nothing else shows up. At this point, you don't have a CDL or any experience. Most carriers will consider you a high risk with your background. As I said, I would start by checking your own background and then go from there. Smaller carriers have a difficult time covering inexperienced drivers on their insurance.