Background Checks

Does anybody know if the bigger companies like Swift or Prime do background checks over ten years?

I don't have an answer, but I am curious... Do you mean them checking for only the last ten years or them caring only about the last ten years?

I only ask because some things have no time limit and some are just company discretion.

Work history the last 3 years if 10 years if you were a driver.

driving record, the last 3 years

convictions and DUI are company specific. some companies will not allow even 1 DUI others might say 2, others might say 1 in a lifetime

be honest and only answer what is asked. "Have gou EVER been convicted" is much different from "have you been convicted the last 3 years"

I work for Prime who is stricter than others. there are "second chance" companies but might as well try the others first.

whats the issue...we might be able to help

Criminal history checks go back forever by everyone. That said, some companies will except candidates with older criminal convictions, which they usually evaluate on a case by case basis.

Does anybody know if the bigger companies like Swift or Prime do background checks over ten years?

I have two DUI's, 18 and 20 years ago. Just worried because I was sent home from Werner on day three of orientation because had 3 week CDL school instead of 5 weeks. Big waste of time. I have heard of people being sent home for other reasons even if they were approved by safety dept. beforehand. Now I'm a little leery about going anywhere.

Work history the last 3 years if 10 years if you were a driver.

driving record, the last 3 years

convictions and DUI are company specific. some companies will not allow even 1 DUI others might say 2, others might say 1 in a lifetime

be honest and only answer what is asked. "Have gou EVER been convicted" is much different from "have you been convicted the last 3 years"

I work for Prime who is stricter than others. there are "second chance" companies but might as well try the others first.

whats the issue...we might be able to help

Joe DUIs are considered very differently by trucking companies, and for good reason. As per Rainy's comprehensive reply (please read what she suggested especially pertaining to filling out applications, very important), each company has their own policy for DUIs. Contrary to Werner's explanation or your understanding of it, they have a lifetime limit of 1 DUI. With 2 no matter how old or why, you are disqualified because of Werner's hiring policy. This is perhaps the reason you were sent home. That's the hard truth.

3 weeks of schooling vs. 5 weeks of school; not exactly true. Any reputable school will provide you a certificate proving successful completion of the minimum required 160 hours of instruction. This certificate, plus the valid CDL pre-qualifies you for most all carriers hiring newbies. Without it, any reputable company will not be able to hire you; their insurance will not cover you. That said, all of the trucking companies offering Paid CDL Training Programs are about 3-3.5 weeks duration of instruction necessary to pass the CDL tests. Do you have any training certificate from the school you graduated from? If not, you will likely need to repeat this step to satisfy insurance requirements of a prospective employer.

Here is what I suggest, study each company found in this link: Trucking Company Reviews

Identify any company that road-trains (aka: mentoring or finish training), will hire entry level drivers and accepts 2 DUI's as part of their hiring policy. Like Rainy said, be careful how applications are worded; only provide exactly what is asked for, noting more and nothing less.

Good luck.

I do have a certificate but it is for 80-hour refresher. When I contacted the school, in the beginning, I told them I had driven for a while for Schlumberger in 2008. Went to their two-week school even. Wasn't a whole lot of driving but the head of the school said a refresher would be good. Now it seems to be a problem, at least for Werner.

Joe DUIs are considered very differently by trucking companies, and for good reason. As per Rainy's comprehensive reply (please read what she suggested especially pertaining to filling out applications, very important), each company has their own policy for DUIs. Contrary to Werner's explanation or your understanding of it, they have a lifetime limit of 1 DUI. With 2 no matter how old or why, you are disqualified because of Werner's hiring policy. This is perhaps the reason you were sent home. That's the hard truth.

3 weeks of schooling vs. 5 weeks of school; not exactly true. Any reputable school will provide you a certificate proving successful completion of the minimum required 160 hours of instruction. This certificate, plus the valid CDL pre-qualifies you for most all carriers hiring newbies. Without it, any reputable company will not be able to hire you; their insurance will not cover you. That said, all of the trucking companies offering Paid CDL Training Programs are about 3-3.5 weeks duration of instruction necessary to pass the CDL tests. Do you have any training certificate from the school you graduated from? If not, you will likely need to repeat this step to satisfy insurance requirements of a prospective employer.

Here is what I suggest, study each company found in this link: Trucking Company Reviews

Identify any company that road-trains (aka: mentoring or finish training), will hire entry level drivers and accepts 2 DUI's as part of their hiring policy. Like Rainy said, be careful how applications are worded; only provide exactly what is asked for, noting more and nothing less.

Good luck.

Joe, wrote:

I do have a certificate but it is for 80-hour refresher. When I contacted the school, in the beginning, I told them I had driven for a while for Schlumberger in 2008. Went to their two-week school even. Wasn't a whole lot of driving but the head of the school said a refresher would be good. Now it seems to be a problem, at least for Werner.

Joe DUIs are considered very differently by trucking companies, and for good reason. As per Rainy's comprehensive reply (please read what she suggested especially pertaining to filling out applications, very important), each company has their own policy for DUIs. Contrary to Werner's explanation or your understanding of it, they have a lifetime limit of 1 DUI. With 2 no matter how old or why, you are disqualified because of Werner's hiring policy. This is perhaps the reason you were sent home. That's the hard truth.

3 weeks of schooling vs. 5 weeks of school; not exactly true. Any reputable school will provide you a certificate proving successful completion of the minimum required 160 hours of instruction. This certificate, plus the valid CDL pre-qualifies you for most all carriers hiring newbies. Without it, any reputable company will not be able to hire you; their insurance will not cover you. That said, all of the trucking companies offering Paid CDL Training Programs are about 3-3.5 weeks duration of instruction necessary to pass the CDL tests. Do you have any training certificate from the school you graduated from? If not, you will likely need to repeat this step to satisfy insurance requirements of a prospective employer.

Here is what I suggest, study each company found in this link: Trucking Company Reviews

Identify any company that road-trains (aka: mentoring or finish training), will hire entry level drivers and accepts 2 DUI's as part of their hiring policy. Like Rainy said, be careful how applications are worded; only provide exactly what is asked for, noting more and nothing less.

Good luck.

Geez Joe...

Private Schools will take your money. They are in no position to make hiring decisions for any trucking company, let alone Werner. NO idea why the school offered that as an acceptable minimum, it's not for possibly two reasons. If you have less than 1 year of continuous experience with Schlumberger most reputable companies will want the full 160 hours of training. Even so, your experience is very dated, 10 years. Trucking companies are risk averse and most likely none of them will hire you with only a two-week refresher. Short-cuts usually amount to frustration. I still think part of Werner's issue is the 2 DUIs and they used the 80 hour refresher as an easier, less contentious explanation. Regardless, "it is what it is".

Do yourself a big favor, focus on the best solution to your situation, re: the suggestion and information links I sent you. Based on what we know about you so far; consider going the route of Paid CDL Training Programs offered by any carrier that will accept 2 DUIs. Let them determine how best to proceed based on your CMV driving experience.

Use this link to apply: Apply For Paid CDL Training

Good luck.

I just got off the phone with Werner. They do not like the fact that I did not submit to a breathalyzer over 11 years ago when I was 20. I did not receive a DUI but my lisence was suspended for 6 months due to Zero Tolerence.

They said they will call me back my last week of CDL school with a final decision. She made it pretty clear without saying, that I won’t be able to go to an orientation because of this BAC Refusal. It is what it is.

Key City wrote:

I just got off the phone with Werner. They do not like the fact that I did not submit to a breathalyzer over 11 years ago when I was 20. I did not receive a DUI but my lisence was suspended for 6 months due to Zero Tolerence.

They said they will call me back my last week of CDL school with a final decision. She made it pretty clear without saying, that I won’t be able to go to an orientation because of this BAC Refusal. It is what it is.

Refusing a drug or alcohol test, in the eyes ANY trucking companies carries the same negative weight as a DUI conviction. This is not a Werner issue...! The companies are looking for the best qualified candidates. The competitive culture of truck driving starts at the point of pre-qualifying and escalates from that point forward.

Contrary to the commonly accepted belief: "there is a shortage of truck drivers", the truth is; "there is a shortage of qualified truck drivers".

Key City, "Werner" is not the only game in town. Many times the level of 'more or less" scrutiny in the selection process is a timing thing. In 3 months, Werner might paint a different picture. Cast a wider net. You will get offers. 11 years is long enough that one of the "megas" will give you a solid chance.

Recall Rainy's point earlier in this thread; every company will consider DUI differently and even though Werner will accept a lifetime limit of one, they still have the right of refusal if after careful consideration, they believe there is an elevated risk. It's not discrimination...condition of hire for any company/industry that affects public safety.