Ticket following too close

Hello all. If someone has had a very good driving record for many years but had a 5mph following too close violation 1 1/2 years ago will this make it hard to get hired as a new driver? Should I wait one more year till it clears or get my CDL now? Do trucking companies ask for the description of the violation and consider the circumstances?

Thanks for all comments

 

If you have a following to close ticket you will not be able to get a job with most (99%) of trucking companies... Following to close it what the trucking company considers a major violation...

 

If that's all you have most companies will accept that. But your years driving is not consider most of the time because they want to know what's recent. I'm sure it will help with the evaluation but it won't cancel out any violations. Yes they will ask about any and all violations that are recent. Some might ask for 3 years or some might ask longer. You'll have to do your research for the company you want to work for. But I would say go for it and don't let one violation hold you back.

 

I forgot to add "after 3 years (and the ticket falls off) you will be able to get one", but you can bet they will say something about it... You also will still have several tell you know till the 5 year mark...
Do they take in circumstances? No, they could care less about what happened.. whats on your record is all they care about..

 

After reading my FMCSR you're 100% right. Excuse me while I take my foot out of my mouth. But in my defense (as weak as it is) I've been lucky enough to not have to deal with any violations. Also it's only listed as a serious offense for disqualification on the second conviction.

 

LOL ya I got one in Chicago (I think I posted about it here a few times) Ad boy was it a pain to deal with... Such a long story but I finally got it removed with a very good lawyer (former prosecutor recommended him for me to get things cleared up)..... So, i know how serious this ticket can be for somebody.. Several trucking companies will fire you before your even convicted for such a ticket, like ROEL... (true you don't have to tell them till 30 days after conviction but that dang DOT Inspection sheet keeps you from doing that if given one)

 

So this is clear as mud. Let's say I apply to Werner and Swift if they look at my record for the past 5 years only the one violation is there....no speeding tickets etc so I'm not sure I want to trust what CDL school recruiter says especially if they would say it won't matter!!

 

After the 3 year mark and the ticket falls off you should be able to get a job with companies like Swift, Werner, USA ext... Although the way the economy is now and the demand for new drivers is not as it once was they may be a little more picky.. Those companies will more and likely hire you but definitely say something about that ticket... Now if you wanted to get on with a more reputable company they probably would not look at you till around 5 year mark (not saying you can't get lucky though) It may be worth trying to have it expunged (removed), if you have not received a ticket since then call an attorney in the county you received the ticket in.. a few hints on getting a good attorney for tickets are, choosing a former prosecutor ( best choice) or a attorney that has his office so close to the courthouse he walk to it... call them and see if you can reopen this case and have it expunged, generally will cost you anywhere from $200 to $500.. It may not be a possibility though because some cases are not allowed to be pen after a certain period of time (it all depends on the state and county), and some states your not do not allow tickets to be expunged, then it also can be just that specific county in that state that will not allow tickets to be expunged..So, as you can see it is different everywhere you go and the only way to find out is if you call an attorney (or you could call the courthouse but I have been given false info from a courthouse before lol)
Good luck!!!


Something you also may experience is companies telling you sure everything is just fine, just to have then send you off to orientation and be told that its not... Then your stuck looking to find a way back home.. This happens everyday in the trucking industry...

 

Do you mean following to close in a car?

 

Would not matter if it is in a car or a big truck... There is no separation between the two... A 15 Mph over in your car will be judged as a major by a trucking company as well. (if that was you was hinting at)

Now in most cases your state DMV will not suspend your cdl (suspension would be if you already had a CDL and you did it in a CMV, kind of a mandatory thing) but some states are more lenient then others... Trucking companies will not separate the two when it comes to a major at all.. get a major in your car it will effect you in a commercial vehicle job...