New Driver, New Forum
Topic 1196 | Page 1
Kenneth, I am not a driver yet. I am not even in school yet. That starts next month. But I will tell you what I have learned from TT, talking to other drivers and my experience being employed in sensitive areas in my past.
We all make mistakes. If anyone tells you they never make a mistake, they are either lying or they don't do anything.
The sad problem is, some mistakes follow us for very long time. I won't say you won't find any company to hire you, but I will say it won't be easy.
You have to keep trying and trying.
For example, Knight Refrigerated said they can't even talk to me for 10 YEARS after the date of the positive drug test. I'll be 33 - 34 years old by then, I can't wait that long til I can drive...
Do you think you are over the hill and too old to drive at 34??? I am in my mid 50's and just starting to school. If it is because you don't want to wait. Sorry, but if you want to go OTR and no company will touch you because of your mistake, you won't have a choice but to wait.
No matter what professional papers you have, they look at how long ago your mistake was. It is no different than someone that has a lot of moving violations or at fault wrecks in their driving history. There is an amount of time that has to pass for those drivers also.
Am I doomed to never drive OTR? Will a large company or good company never touch me simply on a mistake I made that I have corrected now? Should I quit and go for another career? I am a outstanding driver and I love it and want to pursue driving commercially. I just can't get a break.
As far as getting a break. You sure did get a break. You are driving for someone. May not be what you like, but you do have a job.
You can't just forget mistakes. You have to overcome them. And only time does that.
Just keep trying. There are 1,000's of trucking companies out there. And if you are really serious about wanting to drive OTR and wanting it that bad. You will wait if you have too. It is not the end of the world having to wait. You wait every day of your life with something. May not be long sometimes, but we all wait on something everyday.
Keep it safe out there. Joe S
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thanks for your input.
It's not so much about being "over the hill" being 34 (although i appreciate the humor) It's more of me being impatient. 10 years seems like a long time in my eyes. But if that is what it takes, that is what it takes.
I did get lucky with the guy i am driving with. I am making good money, it's just not a consistent job mon-fri. type thing. also it's only seasonal. either way I'm not complaining, im driving, getting experience and loving every second of it.
P.S. Good luck with your school and drive tests. I know when i went to school i had a blast learning everything and driving was the best part. especially when i out performed the other students and I was the youngest!
Here's a picture of my truck i am driving now
Nice looking truck. Freightliner or KW? Looks a little like a KW, but not sure.
Good luck and best wishes. Hope it all works out for you.
Keep it safe out there. Joe S
Nice looking truck. Freightliner or KW? Looks a little like a KW, but not sure.
Good luck and best wishes. Hope it all works out for you.
Keep it safe out there. Joe S
It's a 1995 Freightliner Classic XL It's been a great truck for me so far.
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I "recently" graduated from an accredited CDL training school, got my Class A CDL, and all endorsements. almost broke the school record in their old 1991 Peterbilt. Had a great time learned a lot and to this day I use a lot of knowledge learned from school and training in everyday truck driving.
I have a few questions regarding my current situation with my Driving record as well as a personal issue. (me getting into some trouble regarding a pre-employment DOT drug test at my first OTR driving job)
I just want some opinions and options as to where I should go next.
Right now I am driving for a local home business. I drive dedicated routes and various deliveries locally and interstate. nothing OTR.
I have complied and passed ALL of DOT's regulations regarding a positive pre-employment drug test. I have all the paperwork approved from a professional. It is all documented and legitimate. But recent job applications to companies have rejected or said I do not qualify for employment simply for a past mistake.
Am I doomed to never drive OTR? Will a large company or good company never touch me simply on a mistake I made that I have corrected now? Should I quit and go for another career? I am a outstanding driver and I love it and want to pursue driving commercially. I just can't get a break.
For example, Knight Refrigerated said they can't even talk to me for 10 YEARS after the date of the positive drug test. I'll be 33 - 34 years old by then, I can't wait that long til I can drive...
Thanks to anyone that can provide feedback or any options or help. I live in Idaho and am relocating to Boise, ID towards the end of this year. looking for work anywhere in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Colorado. (Utah if I have to) Even oilfield work in the dakotas, pretty much anything. my options are wide open for relocating and different trucking environments. I am a very adaptable person.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Interstate:
Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).