Bankruptcy And Getting Into Trucking

I am about to owe over $20,000 in bills after my car gets repossessed. I have no money now because I lost my job when my car broke down. It was a lemon it has been having problems within a month of Feb 2016. Next month after taxes I plan on filing bankruptcy. I am 24 years old about to turn 25. I have a few close friends, one who owns 10 trucks and I have been on the road with a trucker for about 2 years, so I know what I am getting into the lifestyle and all. I just wanted to know after I file bankruptcy will it be a problem getting a cdl or getting into the industry with that on my record?

Welcome Cassandra!

No, a bankruptcy should have no effect on whether or not you can get into trucking. We've heard of some companies that will request a credit check but that's only to try to get a better picture of who the person is and to make sure nothing interesting was missed on their background checks. I can not imagine a company deciding not to hire you because of a personal bankruptcy. It could happen, I guess, but overall you'll have no problem with it.

Welcome Cassandra!

No, a bankruptcy should have no effect on whether or not you can get into trucking. We've heard of some companies that will request a credit check but that's only to try to get a better picture of who the person is and to make sure nothing interesting was missed on their background checks. I can not imagine a company deciding not to hire you because of a personal bankruptcy. It could happen, I guess, but overall you'll have no problem with it.

Thank you , Brett! I am researching trucking schools so after next month I can go ahead and get enrolled. The closet one I see is Truck Driver Institute in Milton,Fl and I live in Defuniak Springs.

Great question Cassandra, I had the same question when I first started looking into Driving a lot more, being 27 years old and having somewhat poor credit I was slightly worried when I heard about credit checks, seems like it isn't a factor that will disqualify you from the industry.

Wish you the best of luck! I know what its like to have life throw you a sucker punch.

If you need to file bankruptcy a company sponsored program might be better for you so you are not adding to your debt.

Paid CDL Training Programs

I graduated from TDI Milton and it was fine for me. But given your financial situation I would only recommend it if you're going under a state-paid grant or other fully funded program. Otherwise you're getting right back into unsecured debt.

Good luck!

I had to file bankruptcy between my first driving job and the second company (I was in the process of filing while I was with the first company) and I got denied by only one of the companies out of the 20 or more I applied for so I think you'll be fine. Good luck!!!