Prime's Online Application

I thought I would send in an online application to get things started, and I saw they required a 10 year work history and 5 year address history, as well as 5 years of DMV info.

My problem is that after I lost my paralegal job in 2008 I had a TON of odd jobs, some only lasting a month or two, pretty much since about last year or so. Because of that, my living situation was also chaotic, as I would either have to move because I couldn't afford rent or was just crashing with friends until something came along. If I can't account for every job and every address (because I honestly just don't know them all) will this be an issue? Also, do I have to request DMV records?

I'm nervous that my application will be rejected because of these issues. Does anyone know how precise this information must be?

Miss Myoshi, the ten year history is for folks who are current drivers. New drivers just getting started are usually only required to have a three year history. As to your question though, Prime is kind of anal about the job history thing - more so than most places. You need to really work on that history and make it as accurate as possible. This is a post 9/11 regulation from the feds so that they can try and eliminate terrorists from gaining access to trucks like they did with planes and causing damage. What you want to do is create a time line of sorts, and don't leave any unaccounted for time slots. Let's say you worked for Yerke's Turkeys for three months as a turkey neck processor - put down that you worked from Oct. 1st until the seasonal layoff on Dec. 31st. Give a name and number for a contact so it can be verified. Now let's say you can't really remember what you were doing from Jan. 1st until February 1st. Just put down those dates and say I was unemployed and looking for work. Next let's say you worked for housekeeping at a local Best Western Hotel for two months - same scenario, put down the dates with a contact for verification. The important thing is don't leave any gaps in the timeline. If you were unemployed for extensive time periods, or maybe working for cash somewhere that can't be verified you can have some notarized letters written by friends who can verify what you were doing during that time frame (3 letters for a time period, and they cannot be from immediate family members).

I'm gonna warn you up front that with Prime this will be an issue. They are really particular about it. That's why you want to try and get all your ducks in a row. It will only help you later on if you do get rejected by Prime.

Any time I have applied for trucking jobs they requested the DMV records. That five year address thingy is pretty standard, but it sounds like that one may be tough on you also. Just do the best you can with it and see what happens, but try and be as accurate as possible.

I'll be as accurate as I can. Most of the touring in the music industry that I did was cash, but I'm sure I can get someone to verify my employment. I actually started the application process, and it doesn't seem as bad as I thought. It only asked for 3 years of residency and employment. That is a much more digestible time frame. I'm hoping that my application is good enough.

I also had a chance to talk to a recruiter within Prime. I explained the work history issue and he sent me an email with instructions on how to get an IRS W-2 transcript for the last 5 years. He acknowledged this was an issue but the IRS form was the way to go. He didn't feel there was any impediment so far, so we'll see.

FUTURE PRIME STUDENTS: Having a tanker endorsement is required. Also, if you got your permit in your home state as of the first of this year you can NO LONGER transfer that to MO. You have to actually take the test there and get a new one. Bummer.

Thank you so much for posting about the permit information. I was planning on sitting for it Monday. I'll double check with my recruiter as well.

Thank you so much for posting about the permit information. I was planning on sitting for it Monday. I'll double check with my recruiter as well.

Definitely confirm this. And study for the tanker endorsement as well. You have to pass that at the permit stage.

Seconded. Thanks a ton for sharing.

I'm looking to start training with Prime around the same time you are. Having been a self-employed web designer since college, I was also concerned about the job history requirement. I'd have a hard time tracking down clients from that far back.

But if it's just 5 years, it won't be near the hassle.

Good luck!

Pixel Pusher, the self employed will be required to show tax returns. You wont have to line up clients. I had to get ten years of tax returns together.

Pixel Pusher, the self employed will be required to show tax returns. You wont have to line up clients. I had to get ten years of tax returns together.

Thanks, Old School. Ten years. Guess I'll have to call the IRS, special. I don't save them for more than seven... I just used a link on the IRS.gov website to request returns for free, and they only let me select back to 2012 using their web form.

Ah well. Good to know.

Hmmmm past 10 years, I've worked under the table for cash, except for 2006-2008 when I went to Nissan Forklifts, and filed taxes those 2 years lol I've been like off the grid so-to-speak. I do have an old boss or 2 who'd verify i spent 4-5 years with em (not lying)

My biggest thing now is, Ilet my license expire in 2014 since I broke my leg, sold my transpo car, since i wasn't going to be driving anytime soon. Now I need to renew my D.Lic. when I can,(still on the mend) guessing that means, I need to have 1 year active again now?