Work History

Like most, I am here because I am interested in a career in trucking, but I have some concerns with my past work history. Unfortunately, I have been working in the kitchen/restaurant industry for past several years, and all but my current employer have gone out of business. Will this affect my chances since they can't actually contact them. I do have W-2's for all of them. Also, is it a bad sign that literally all of the companies I have worked for my entire life all closed at one point including the family business lol?

W2's should be just fine. If you have been on unemployment for a while have that paperwork as well.

W2's should be just fine. If you have been on unemployment for a while have that paperwork as well.

Thanks for the reply.

I believe when they talk about "work history", it has more to do with the fact you were employed (W2's). Not so much about a reference from a person you worked for. References are a separate thing entirely.

I agree with the above. All of my "refrences" were literally relatives & friends. It helps to have a contact # for your past supervisors if available. I provided the info, but my employer affirmed she was never contacted.

I actually run background checks for motor carriers, among other things, but I can tell you, as a CDL driver, you need to have 10 years past employment experience listed as per FMCSA regulations, even if there are student years or unemployment. With that said, many employers go out of business and cannot be contacted. But, motor carriers are required to put in the effort, even paying up to 25$ simply to get an employment verification to a job that has nothing to do with trucking. If this is not done, DOT can fine the motor carriers failing to do so. But to answer your question, whether or not employment verification is found, all DOT wants is proof that these attempts were made. The carrier may take interest if it appears that you are not being truthful with your background, but it all really comes down to honesty. If the carrier really takes interest, then W-2's are a definite proof of employment that they cannot deny.

Mike Doyle - Safetycp.com

I actually run background checks for motor carriers, among other things, but I can tell you, as a CDL driver, you need to have 10 years past employment experience listed as per FMCSA regulations

Corey, don't let that statement startle you. As a new person entering this career you are not required to have ten years on record. If you had been working as a commercial driver in the past then that would be the case.

You will need to provide a time line that doesn't have gaps in it - that doesn't mean that you can't have gaps in employment, but simply that you r time line includes what you were doing during the time of unemployment. A simple statement such as "from June the 6th of 2015 to July the 4th of 21015 I was looking for a job."

Your W-2's should suffice as evidence that you are being honest if they cannot get in touch with former supervisors for confirmation.

Thanks again for the replies, I am still a little worried as I never really thought about work history in the past, so I really have no idea of exact dates on much of my past, I couldn't tell ya when I started and or quit anything past last 2 jobs. I kinda wiped it from memory once I moved on. Same with documentation, I am actually surprised I was able to find last 4 years W2's. Do they scrutinize past receiving a W2, because some of them were for only a few months, not a whole year.

When I drove in 2005 I had issues because of the restaurants that I worked in closed etc. explain circumstances and w-2s

I know that one carrier i applied for called my current job. All calls to the building are routed to my phone first. All i had a chance to say was "good afternone this is" and then they hung up. 5 minutes later why application was approved lol.