Do I Even Have A Chance..?

There is a really long story that goes along with this, but I will try to keep it to a minimum. Basically, I have been in Shipping & Receiving for over 10 years. For whatever reason, it wasn't until this year that I took an interest in becoming a truck driver. Forklift drivers just don't get paid well, in my opinion. Since my last job, the interest has only grown stronger. Now, at my current job, I spot trailers on occasion and I absolutely love it.

Here's the problem. Back in October, I quit my job to go to truck driving school, because my recruiter said that he was able to get me sponsored. The problem is, two days into truck driving school, they decided to revoke my sponsorship and they didn't give me a reason why. My guess would be (even though my recruiter said he got me approved) my driving record.

Now, while I have no accidents and the last ticket I received was a seat belt ticket on 5/6/10 the issue is with my suspensions. Every company that I have applied is able to get me through for everything until it comes to my suspensions. Sadly, I never paid any of my tickets on time. At the time, I had no intentions of paying them and then when I did, I didn't have the money.

I have 3 suspensions in the last 3 years and unfortunately, the most recent one is in regards to a ticket I received in 2009. Unbeknownst to me, I was apparently driving while this suspension was in effect due to not receiving anything in the mail.

So here it goes:

1. Effective Date: 10/24/11 - Expiration Date: 1/22/12 Offense Date: 6/16/09 2. Effective Date: 7/7/10 - Expiration Date: 7/7/11 No offense date given 3. Effective Date: 6/18/10 - Expiration Date: 9/13/11 this is for the last ticket (seat belt)

Just to put it out there, my license is currently valid and I have no points on it. I've past the 3 tests (General knowledge, Air brakes, Combination vehicles) at the BMV and can receive my CDL Class A permit as soon as I complete a D.O.T. physical (or so I'm told)

As I'm sure by now everyone is laughing at the thought of me even considering becoming a truck driver, I figure it wouldn't hurt to ask. I do not consider myself to be a bad driver, I just happen to be very good at getting caught doing stupid things. Going over the speed limit, no seat belt or what have you. As I said though, I've done a pretty good job as of the last 3 and a half years (I think!)

One thing I do know is that if there ever will be an opportunity for me, I will do anything to take advantage of it. It may turn out that if and when I do become a driver, I may not like it as much as I thought I would or at all. But it is in my best interest to do what I can to support my family and driving truck feels like the career path I was meant to take.

My apologies for the long post. If there is any hope for me at all, I appreciate any advice. Thank you

Welcome aboard Michael!

Your situation isn't that dire at all. But it might be temporarily debilitating.

Most companies do not like seeing any suspensions, but especially in the past three years. Obviously your career depends on your taking care of your license and if you can't show a history of doing that then they shy away from you.

For now, all you can do is apply like crazy either to attend Company-Sponsored Training Programs or apply for pre-hires to trucking companies if you're going to attend a private truck driving school.

Now for those who aren't familiar with the pre-hire process we have an excellent article about it called Understanding Pre-Hires. Have a look.

What you'll likely find is that the company-sponsored programs won't accept you right now. But apply anyhow. Don't assume anything.

If that's the case then you'll have to shoot for some pre-hires. If you can get a minimum of two or three pre-hires then you know you'll find work upon graduating from school and you can confidently attend a private school to get your license.

Now a word of warning - when you apply to any of these companies you must fully disclose everything. Almost any trucking company in the nation will throw your application directly in the garbage if they see you've lied or failed to disclose anything. So even if they would have hired you with your current record, they won't if they find you didn't disclose everything properly. So don't hold out hope that some of this will slip by them. It won't. So be open and honest with them about it.

There's a reasonable chance you'll be best off waiting until all of the reinstatement dates are three years old. That will help considerably. But you're certainly not out of the hunt for a trucking career. At worst you'd have to wait a few years to show you're taking care of that license. Then for sure there will be a lot of companies interested.

Thank you very much! I'll get right on that. My guess is, the only chance I have is to wait until that last suspension is at least 3 years old. Waiting isn't going to be easy!