To Get A Passport,or NOT?

Hello fellow truckers. I'm interested in a few companies,and see that there are prerequisites for drivers to obtain/currently have a Passport. I was looking into Prime,TMC,and a few other Flatbed companies and saw that this was a requirement for new hires. If anyone has any information regarding these companies requiring a Passport,PASScard,etc it would be greatly appreciated.

I read of another trucking company that said they were going to make it (Passport) a requirement in the near future for all of their drivers. Why not just get your Passport and then you won't have to worry about it? They don't cost that much and are good for ten years.

After you get your Passport, you can apply for the Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC). That will look even better. I don't believe you need to have a Passport before applying for the TWIC but it makes the process faster. At least that's what they told when I applied for mine back in 2012.

Passport is probably less for border crossings and more for verification of citizenship. They aren't that difficult to get, and do make TWIC and HM go through a little faster.

FAST border card can be a PITA, if you have ANY (and I do mean ANY) criminal record. Even ANCIENT charges that have been dismissed.

I applied for one a few months back, when I knew I was going to be near a border crossing for the interview (because you have to do an interview on the U.S. side at ICE/Border Patrol.

I had a 30 year old charge that had been dismissed and sealed. They wanted documentation for that charge. Like 30 years old and SEALED. I can't get the documentation.

Mind you - I have both a TWIC and HazMat endorsement for years.

Mind you, I've been in and out of Canada a number of times, never had an issue - and Canada Immigration was OK with my explanation over the phone.

A FAST card is only good and worth having, if you work for a company that does A LOT of cross border work, for a shipper and receiver that does cross border work - because EVERYONE has to be a FAST Company, to use the FAST Lane.

Cost aside - there's no reason to NOT have a passport. Get both the CARD and the BOOK (for the couple of extra $$'s). Canada & Mexico crossings you can use the passport card and leave the book at home. A lot easier to grab a card from your wallet - then search around for the book.

Rick

Thanks for the info,but unfortunately I did a little research and found that I won't even be able to get a Passport due to Child Support arrears in excess of $2500 ($6500 to be exact). I have no way of clearing up that arrears in one lump at this very moment,and through my research of Trucking Companies,I have found that most if not 95% of them REQUIRE a Passport in order to become considered (Pre-Hire). I have found a few companies like PAM Transport that has accepted me,but I want to truly drive for TMC. I have a recruiter for TMC,but haven't asked that definate question yet...and I have visited their website,read the brochures and they all suggest having a Passport,or the ability of obtaining one in 30days of hire. Just don't wanna waste time,money,and end up with something on my Driver/Hire Record when I could do my research beforehand and miss all that embarrassing nonsense. One of the main reasons for me entering trucking is to gain enough income eventually to pay those arrears(I'm already paying double to try and eliminate the arrears)and no to continue to help support my family and children. Thanks for your advise,and do I believe it will help many who are "Somewhat" dealing with this same dilemma

Yeah, the child support will for sure keep you from getting a Passport. Aren't you afraid of being arrested owing that much? I thought if you were even late with a payment that they would put you under the jail.

It doesn't work like that. I have a payment plan set up and the arrears are being paid on a timely basis,along with a weekly payment of the regular support deductions.

It doesn't work like that. I have a payment plan set up and the arrears are being paid on a timely basis,along with a weekly payment of the regular support deductions.

As long as you're paying on time and arrears you can get them to lift it for work purposes.

It happened to me...I was hurt in the military. It required me to get surgeries a few years later after I was out.... While I was recovering I fell behind on child support so Ohio blocked me from getting a passport.

I needed to get one for my new job. So I looked up the revised code and brought it to them and argued my case. In the end... Ohio ended up lifting the ban. So my suggestion... Read your States laws, bring them in with you, be respectful and you have a good chance. I got mine...