Profile For Jacobi

Hello,

I've been thinking about getting my CDL and getting my life back on track as an OTR trucker. I like the idea of traveling and seeing the country and I'm alright with all that entails. But I'm worried that some of my past will preclude me from getting hired and make paying for the CDL classes a waste of time.

I have two driving with suspended license charges from 4 years ago. One was plead no contest (I didn't know it was suspended), I paid and had it reinstated same day as pull over. A couple days later, same cop pulls me over and apparently the system didn't update and I got charged again, but it was dismissed. This in Rhode Island.

Another potential issue would be my criminal record. Three years ago I was charged with misdemeanor possession w/ intent. I've been clean for three years and just got off probation three weeks ago. This was in Massachusetts, where as a condition of my probation if I stayed clean the charge would be dismissed.

My MVR is not completely spotless either. Two not at fault accidents one 5+ years ago, one 3+. Both were due to mechanical failure. I also have a speeding ticket from 2 or 3 years ago. I'm waiting on a copy of my MVR from the DMV for exact time frame.

Lastly, I've read that trucking companies want to see no gaps in employment. I've been unemployed since I was put on probation three years ago, but I've been working under the table jobs wherever I could find them. I've also read that some companies will allow you to just have notarized affidavits from friends and family to confirm unemployment, is this true?

After reading this and other forums/sites it seems that it would be pretty difficult to get started in trucking with this sort of record. Am I right about that or am I just psyching myself out?