Felon Who Wants To Be A Truck Driver. Is It Possible? Any Advise,please.Not A Sex Offender.
Topic 20073 | Page 1
I am in the middle of my life and I have made a few mistakes. I am not a career criminal. I just went down the wrong path for a short minute. I have always wanted to drive a truck and I will do what ever it takes to make it happen. I would like some advise form anyone on how to go about this new career. Is there anyone out there that has had to overcome the hurdles that go along with being a convicted felon? I have never had a CDL on any training. My driver license is in good shape with 1 DUI that is almost 10 years old. Do things still drop off your MVR after so many years? Please forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this type of question! I am just starting to reach out and research what I need to do. Thank you in advance for your help!!!
It all depends on how long ago your felony conviction was, and what kind of felony. However, you won't know til you start talking to trucking companies
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
It will also depend on what you've done since the felony. A solid work history and good attitude will go a long way towards helping you achieve your goal. If a company sees potential in you, they will generally look past some prior troubles.
Use the search bar above and you will find numerous articles on companies that hire prior felons.
Welcome aboard William!
Here's some things you will want to take a look at first. The first two are important reading that will help you understand the career and the lifestyle better. The third one is our training program that will help you get the knowledge stored away to pass those pesky written tests required to get your permit so you can begin this grand adventure. Just click on the links and spend some time reading. You will be glad you did...
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
Now, more specific to your question. We have helped many a past felon and DUI recipient get started in this career. There are actually several drivers in here who have been in your position. It is doable, but not always easy. You really already knew that, but I just wanted you to know that it can be done. Here's a couple of links on our web site that you will find helpful as you begin this process...
Trucking Companies That Hire Felons
Trucking Company Policies on DUI's
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.DUI:
Driving Under the Influence
DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
Along similar lines, I'm interested in trucking and am a life long weed smoker. I'm going to quit smoking. I'm not looking to mix the two together. But my question is do all trucking companies use hair tests now.
Welcome aboard Jalapeno!
Many if not most are using hair testing now days. Click Here for plenty of pages of details concerning your question.
You can also use the search bar at the top of this page. It only searches this site, and you will be able to find all kinds of information about this topic by searching there.
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.
Thanks for the welcome, old school. Im really glad i found this website. I've been reading the articles and blogs for the past month and the more i read the more i want to drive
Along similar lines, I'm interested in trucking and am a life long weed smoker. I'm going to quit smoking. I'm not looking to mix the two together. But my question is do all trucking companies use hair tests now.
From what I have found not many do hair test I smoked a few times though about three months ago and am looking at changing jobs. I didn't smoke on the job I had an injury and found it to be the only thing that helped ease the pain but I wont apply for a job that requires a hair test for at least another 3 months just to make sure. I hear a positive test makes it almost impossible to get hired any where good luck on finding a driving job.
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I am in the middle of my life and I have made a few mistakes. I am not a career criminal. I just went down the wrong path for a short minute. I have always wanted to drive a truck and I will do what ever it takes to make it happen. I would like some advise form anyone on how to go about this new career. Is there anyone out there that has had to overcome the hurdles that go along with being a convicted felon? I have never had a CDL on any training. My driver license is in good shape with 1 DUI that is almost 10 years old. Do things still drop off your MVR after so many years? Please forgive me if this is the wrong forum for this type of question! I am just starting to reach out and research what I need to do. Thank you in advance for your help!!!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
DUI:
Driving Under the Influence