Profile For Jake P.

He hit a parked car and no citations were issued and I wonder if this has an impact on my cdl. Knowledgeable answers please. Thank you.

Thanks, Rick Been tough getting many answers and I am all about proving that it was just a accident and all. I suppose the future will tell and I’m sure it’ll be a positive outcome.

Keep a couple of things in mind.

1 - DAC is like a credit report (and is actually governed by the same rules under the FCRA) - if it shows up there, it will show up for TEN YEARS.

2 - Companies are required to CHECK REFERENCES FOR TEN YEARS for driving jobs. So regardless of when/where you apply, you will have to disclose this employer (and likely REASON FOR LEAVING: dismissed after accident). Failure to disclose is LYING ON AN APPLICATION.

So like the DAC, this employer is going to follow you around for 10 years.

3 - As others have said - ONLY DISCLOSE WHAT THEY ASK FOR on an application. If it asks for 3 years, that's what you tell them. If they point out something they found at the 5 year mark in a BG - explain it honestly, and point out that the app only called for 3 years.

4 - Again, as others have said. Getting a hire after a rollover (and you never actually stated HOW LONG you have been driving BEFORE the accident), especially SO SOON AFTER ONE YOU DISCLOSED, is a RARITY in this industry - COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. Put in a YEAR at your present company - if for nothing else, to SHOW GRATITUDE for getting a job after recently being cut loose for a PREVENTABLE ROLLOVER. But the real (other) reason is to increase your chances of showing safe driving (as in, no more rollovers, OK) and stable work habits.

5 - You never said how much PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE you had prior to your rollover. Most newbs don't get on with small companies, so I'd suspect you had at least a little, and the small company you rolled on was not your first driving job (though I could be wrong).

6 - Talk to your DM/Dispatcher about your miles, ask what YOU CAN DO to improve your performance and get the miles you're looking for. It't not that THEY LIED (though everyone seems to "embellish" in order to attract drivers). Top miles go to top performers with seniority. You have to stick around and perform - to be a top performer with seniority.

7 - The industry has been getting a little weird recently. Some downturn of freight availability versus capacity. Prime (for example) has been doing better at driver retention, so they increased required training miles because they don't have enough trucks to put people in (for whatever reason). Last year, companies that were looking for 2 years went down to 1 because of increased freight demands (and some that were looking for 1, went down to 6 months). Now they are increasing their "previous experience" numbers back up. Can't say whether this is due to an interim freight availability issue (slowdown), better driver retention, or just more drivers available. In years past, WalMart private fleet was where everyone wanted to go - they had a 3 year accident free requirement - last year they cut benefits and other perks and are no longer the "cats meow", and the rumor is they're losing drivers an may decrease their experience requirements to keep their fleet numbers stable (or they just might be pushing drivers out, and farming the work out to other companies because it's more cost-effective than paying their own drivers more). One can never tell in this industry.

So stick around where you are for awhile. Your rollover means you have SOME DUES TO PAY, in order to demonstrate to potential future employers that you are worthy of taking a risk. Your incident will show up on DAC and Employer References for a decade, there's really no avoiding it even if the previous employer doesn't report to DAC, which is an outside company and isn't required by FMCSA Regs). Your accident WILL LIKELY show up on your FMCSA PSP though for 5 years.

Rick

Well I haul fuel and what the problem is that I request extra loads and I get them and still not making sufficient funds. I was out west making good. I understand your point. I am way more cautious than I ever been driving and I work extra as much as possible and my dispatch and manager always say that I’m there go to guy for loads. It’s just that they promised me a wage that I said I needed to make a living. Kind of like a lure tactic. I raise my kids alone and I’m the sole provider. I already told myself that I’d have to tough this out to make it back to making better wages and I’m in no hurry. My mind was set on working my way back up, but I ain’t ever giving up or gonna quit trying to better my craft or my future in this field. I know things take time. I just appreciate all the knowledge and info on how the system works on accidents. I am very lucky that I applied here before the accident. The old company I was with didn’t care about us or the equipment. I was still learning and should’ve refused to take the load, but I needed to work now I know it was the biggest mistake and sure did learn from it. Thanks for the input. I’m not an OTR man. Can’t be due to my situation.

Jake, if you're with a large carrier already then you've already found a great place to work. What you have to work on is being the best driver possible. If you're not getting enough miles then you have to work on that. Why aren't you getting the miles? The company certainly has them available but for some reason they're not giving them to you. You have to prove yourself for a while and develop strong relationships within your company. You have to communicate really well, get appointments moved ahead, leverage those relationships to get more miles and better freight, and learn how the system works within your company.

There's a hell of a lot more to getting big miles than just sitting back on cruise control and waiting for things to happen. It's a process that takes time and a lot of work on your part. If you're with a major carrier then there's no reason to be looking elsewhere. They don't just hand out fantastic miles to anyone. You have to earn them, lobby for them, and prove you can handle them once you get em.

Your career is on life support right now. You need to figure out what the top tier drivers are doing and you're not. Follow that link to learn more. You also need to dedicate yourself to the company you're at for a minimum of one year or more. The idea that someone in your position is considering jumping ship shows that you still think it's the company that's letting you down and not the other way around. Average (or worse) drivers don't get great miles and special treatment at any company. Top Tier drivers get great miles and great treatment anywhere they go. That's the part that most drivers never figure out. It's not the company that makes or breaks a driver's career, it's the driver.

Yes I said I was thankful. Just wanted to know how long would if even what else I could get. There’s reasons I ask. So short answer is one or two years if that even is possible, cause I love hauling, but I know how to do more than haul and I was wondering if I still had any potential in this field. Said that with respect.

You rolled over due to unsafe driving a few months ago and should consider yourself lucky to have a job at all. You where already fired for a accident once now you want to switch companies after this current one gave you a second chance? You should be thankful to have received that second chance because it will probably be at least a year if not more of safe driving before anyone else will even look at you. Roll overs a usually a career killer you got lucky and need to make the most of your current opportunity.

You rolled over due to unsafe driving a few months ago and should consider yourself lucky to have a job at all. You where already fired for a accident once now you want to switch companies after this current one gave you a second chance? You should be thankful to have received that second chance because it will probably be at least a year if not more of safe driving before anyone else will even look at you. Roll overs a usually a career killer you got lucky and need to make the most of your current opportunity.

Thanks, Rob T. Do you know if I’ll be able to get on with a good company after August cause I’m not getting enough loads where I am and they said 60k to 100k and that’s far from what the actuality. I’m glad and thankful I got the job, but I didn’t lie and it seems they did. This industry is getting wild. Some say drive 6 months and we’ll look at you. So is it 6 months to a year or is it 3 years and you’re ok again; as long as you maintain a clean record and stay behind the wheel?

Give them whatever they ask for. Nothing more, nothing less. If the application asks have you had any accidents or tickets in the last 3 years ONLY provide any from the last 3 years. If they ask in the last 3 years you don't need to tell them you had an accident 5 years ago. If they ask have you ever had an accident then put down ALL that you've had.

Do you have to report accidents on applications after 3 years or do they fall off. I know most apps ask when was your last accident and some just ask have you had an accident within “x” amount of years. So if it supposedly falls off your MVR do you even have to put it down?

All depends on what it asks for on the application. Each company is going to be looking for different information. Remember, just because it may not be asked, this doesn’t mean that it will not be discovered during a comprehensive background check that most companies perform.

Had an lay over single vehicle accident thankfully no one was hurt on 02/12/2019 took a curve at 55 and it was black ice I guess. I know my fault. The owner of this small company let me go. I been with a new bigger company driving since and they do use DAC 03/02/2019 and now the accident is on my mvr and I got a citation that I got differed. Been driving since then and no more troubles. I am lucky I got the job cause I applied before the accident showed up. I told the manager about the accident and they said “I was approved before the accident happened or showed up on my MVR so I’m good to go”. August will be 6 months of clean driving. After 3 years do I still need to put this accident on my job applications or does it go away in Texas? Thanks to any who have knowledge to these questions cause I know the insurance companies are rough on this. Any extra knowledge even better. Thanks again.