DACA Recipient

Topic 27633 | Page 1

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Claude I.'s Comment
member avatar

Dear All,

I am a DACA Recipient and living in CA. I am considering switching my career into truck driver and would like to hear some advises from you. As far as I know, I can get CDL in CA with EAD only but not quite sure if it can get me a job. Also, will there be any problem with driving across states if I have earn CDL in CA? Additionally, what other obstacles will there be for DACA recipient as a truck driver? Please share your experience or knowledge. Thank you.

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.

DAC:

Drive-A-Check Report

A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).

It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.

Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.

Moe's Comment
member avatar

Not really sure how you would go about this with DACA, I dont know much about it. I imagine you would have to speak to your counselor or representative or whatever you call it? With the program? I thought Trump cancelled it?

It also depends upon how long you have been in the country for? I mean no disrespect but your english is rather broken which leads me to wonder how long you have been here #1 ; #2) Do you have a valid CA Driver license? If so, how long? You need a minimum of a year Driver license before you can try for a CDL in most states (maybe CA is different? - I don't know, I dont live there)

I respect your desire to work hard and succeed, but you should really think this through and make sure this is the right time for it or if this is the right industry for you. You need to make sure that you have a solid grasp of the rules of the road here in the United States BEFORE you sign up to drive an 80,000 pound truck down our roadways, your life and the lives of others depend on it.

NOW that that is out of the way - I would first work with your DACA (EAD?) folks on this, second understand that many companies out there will train you to get your CDL and you will have a job waiting for you when you are through with training. It'd be a great thing for you actually. As for the CDL from CA allowing you to go across state lines. Yes it can allow you to do that, on the application you will mark non-exempted interstate and this will allow your license to be used across state lines.

As for what obstacles are there specifically for a DACA recipient, I have no clue. Ability to read, write and understand English is key, an understanding of the traffic laws and road rules in the US is as well, if you haven't been here long nor driven very long in the US, then I'd reccomend putting the trucking plans on hold until you have solid driving experience under your belt. Here is why I say this. As a CDL holder you are directly responsible for the operation of that truck, you CAN and you WILL face fines, penalties, even jail time if you have an accident and someone gets hurt or God forbid killed. I respect your desire to work, but if you have a family of your own, you wont do them any good being thousands of dollars in debt or in prison because of a mishap.

Maybe work at a warehouse around trucks or perhaps become a yard hossler (this is where you would be allowed to operate trucks, drive , back up etc on private commercial property) while you work on sorting all of this out? A good advantage to being a yard hossler is that you wont be driving drive on public roads, thus a CDL is not required - this means you are getting necessary operation experience and truck familiarity while you work out the DACA and CDL training stuff, that would be a win win for you AND you get paid doing something that interests you, how cool is that???

smile.gif

Hope that helps, good luck....

good-luck.gif

Dear All,

I am a DACA Recipient and living in CA. I am considering switching my career into truck driver and would like to hear some advises from you. As far as I know, I can get CDL in CA with EAD only but not quite sure if it can get me a job. Also, will there be any problem with driving across states if I have earn CDL in CA? Additionally, what other obstacles will there be for DACA recipient as a truck driver? Please share your experience or knowledge. Thank you.

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.

Interstate:

Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).

DAC:

Drive-A-Check Report

A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).

It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.

Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Rick S.'s Comment
member avatar

Read THIS ARTICLE...

Short answer - YES. Long answer - MAYBE.

The BEST ANSWER would be to try and adjust your status to GREEN CARD (if possible), then you're GREEN LIT all the way.

I will leave my personal views and politics out of this conversation.

Rick

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.
Marc Lee AKA The 100k mil's Comment
member avatar

I fully understand why you are having such a hard time getting your CDL

Not really sure how you would go about this with DACA, I dont know much about it. I imagine you would have to speak to your counselor or representative or whatever you call it? With the program? I thought Trump cancelled it?

It also depends upon how long you have been in the country for? I mean no disrespect but your english is rather broken which leads me to wonder how long you have been here #1 ; #2) Do you have a valid CA Driver license? If so, how long? You need a minimum of a year Driver license before you can try for a CDL in most states (maybe CA is different? - I don't know, I dont live there)

I respect your desire to work hard and succeed, but you should really think this through and make sure this is the right time for it or if this is the right industry for you. You need to make sure that you have a solid grasp of the rules of the road here in the United States BEFORE you sign up to drive an 80,000 pound truck down our roadways, your life and the lives of others depend on it.

NOW that that is out of the way - I would first work with your DACA (EAD?) folks on this, second understand that many companies out there will train you to get your CDL and you will have a job waiting for you when you are through with training. It'd be a great thing for you actually. As for the CDL from CA allowing you to go across state lines. Yes it can allow you to do that, on the application you will mark non-exempted interstate and this will allow your license to be used across state lines.

As for what obstacles are there specifically for a DACA recipient, I have no clue. Ability to read, write and understand English is key, an understanding of the traffic laws and road rules in the US is as well, if you haven't been here long nor driven very long in the US, then I'd reccomend putting the trucking plans on hold until you have solid driving experience under your belt. Here is why I say this. As a CDL holder you are directly responsible for the operation of that truck, you CAN and you WILL face fines, penalties, even jail time if you have an accident and someone gets hurt or God forbid killed. I respect your desire to work, but if you have a family of your own, you wont do them any good being thousands of dollars in debt or in prison because of a mishap.

Maybe work at a warehouse around trucks or perhaps become a yard hossler (this is where you would be allowed to operate trucks, drive , back up etc on private commercial property) while you work on sorting all of this out? A good advantage to being a yard hossler is that you wont be driving drive on public roads, thus a CDL is not required - this means you are getting necessary operation experience and truck familiarity while you work out the DACA and CDL training stuff, that would be a win win for you AND you get paid doing something that interests you, how cool is that???

smile.gif

Hope that helps, good luck....

good-luck.gif

double-quotes-start.png

Dear All,

I am a DACA Recipient and living in CA. I am considering switching my career into truck driver and would like to hear some advises from you. As far as I know, I can get CDL in CA with EAD only but not quite sure if it can get me a job. Also, will there be any problem with driving across states if I have earn CDL in CA? Additionally, what other obstacles will there be for DACA recipient as a truck driver? Please share your experience or knowledge. Thank you.

double-quotes-end.png

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.

Interstate:

Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).

DAC:

Drive-A-Check Report

A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).

It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.

Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Moe's Comment
member avatar

Really? What would that be?

I fully understand why you are having such a hard time getting your CDL

double-quotes-start.png

Not really sure how you would go about this with DACA, I dont know much about it. I imagine you would have to speak to your counselor or representative or whatever you call it? With the program? I thought Trump cancelled it?

It also depends upon how long you have been in the country for? I mean no disrespect but your english is rather broken which leads me to wonder how long you have been here #1 ; #2) Do you have a valid CA Driver license? If so, how long? You need a minimum of a year Driver license before you can try for a CDL in most states (maybe CA is different? - I don't know, I dont live there)

I respect your desire to work hard and succeed, but you should really think this through and make sure this is the right time for it or if this is the right industry for you. You need to make sure that you have a solid grasp of the rules of the road here in the United States BEFORE you sign up to drive an 80,000 pound truck down our roadways, your life and the lives of others depend on it.

NOW that that is out of the way - I would first work with your DACA (EAD?) folks on this, second understand that many companies out there will train you to get your CDL and you will have a job waiting for you when you are through with training. It'd be a great thing for you actually. As for the CDL from CA allowing you to go across state lines. Yes it can allow you to do that, on the application you will mark non-exempted interstate and this will allow your license to be used across state lines.

As for what obstacles are there specifically for a DACA recipient, I have no clue. Ability to read, write and understand English is key, an understanding of the traffic laws and road rules in the US is as well, if you haven't been here long nor driven very long in the US, then I'd reccomend putting the trucking plans on hold until you have solid driving experience under your belt. Here is why I say this. As a CDL holder you are directly responsible for the operation of that truck, you CAN and you WILL face fines, penalties, even jail time if you have an accident and someone gets hurt or God forbid killed. I respect your desire to work, but if you have a family of your own, you wont do them any good being thousands of dollars in debt or in prison because of a mishap.

Maybe work at a warehouse around trucks or perhaps become a yard hossler (this is where you would be allowed to operate trucks, drive , back up etc on private commercial property) while you work on sorting all of this out? A good advantage to being a yard hossler is that you wont be driving drive on public roads, thus a CDL is not required - this means you are getting necessary operation experience and truck familiarity while you work out the DACA and CDL training stuff, that would be a win win for you AND you get paid doing something that interests you, how cool is that???

smile.gif

Hope that helps, good luck....

good-luck.gif

double-quotes-start.png

double-quotes-start.png

Dear All,

I am a DACA Recipient and living in CA. I am considering switching my career into truck driver and would like to hear some advises from you. As far as I know, I can get CDL in CA with EAD only but not quite sure if it can get me a job. Also, will there be any problem with driving across states if I have earn CDL in CA? Additionally, what other obstacles will there be for DACA recipient as a truck driver? Please share your experience or knowledge. Thank you.

double-quotes-end.png

double-quotes-end.png

double-quotes-end.png

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.

Interstate:

Commercial trade, business, movement of goods or money, or transportation from one state to another, regulated by the Federal Department Of Transportation (DOT).

DAC:

Drive-A-Check Report

A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).

It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.

Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Pacific Pearl's Comment
member avatar

I'm not a lawyer. I do know how to read and where to look for the applicable laws though. Your best bet would be to consult with an attorney. Since you're asking on a trucker forum here's the trucker answer:

There are three routes you can take:

Option #1 Get a CDL

You don't qualify. Per FMCSA §383.71

"(9) The person must provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency as specified in Table 1 of this section, or be registered under paragraph (f) of this section."

As Rick said if you get a green card you will become a lawful permanent resident but you don't qualify right now. Green cards can take years to get and can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Option #2 Get a Non-domiciled CDL

States are permitted to issue a CDL to an individual who is not domiciled within its jurisdiction. This works for citizens of most countries but since the US recognizes CDL equivalents from Mexico and Canada natives of these countries are not eligible for this program so this won't work for you.

Option #3 Get a Mexican CDL

Get a Mexican CDL from Secretariat of Communication and Transport (www.sct.gob.mx). You can legally drive in all 50 states with a Mexican CDL. You can legally work for a US carrier with a work permit (Form I-766 employment authorization document). This is your best bet. Much quicker and cheaper than getting a green card.

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.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Moe's Comment
member avatar

I would like to apologize to the OP, re reading what I wrote, I came off more gritty and disrespectful than I intended.

I sincerely wish you well on this path and hope things work out for you.

Rick S.'s Comment
member avatar

I'm not a lawyer. I do know how to read and where to look for the applicable laws though. Your best bet would be to consult with an attorney. Since you're asking on a trucker forum here's the trucker answer:

There are three routes you can take:

Option #1 Get a CDL

You don't qualify. Per FMCSA §383.71

"(9) The person must provide proof of citizenship or lawful permanent residency as specified in Table 1 of this section, or be registered under paragraph (f) of this section."

As Rick said if you get a green card you will become a lawful permanent resident but you don't qualify right now. Green cards can take years to get and can cost thousands of dollars in legal fees.

Option #2 Get a Non-domiciled CDL

States are permitted to issue a CDL to an individual who is not domiciled within its jurisdiction. This works for citizens of most countries but since the US recognizes CDL equivalents from Mexico and Canada natives of these countries are not eligible for this program so this won't work for you.

Option #3 Get a Mexican CDL

Get a Mexican CDL from Secretariat of Communication and Transport (www.sct.gob.mx). You can legally drive in all 50 states with a Mexican CDL. You can legally work for a US carrier with a work permit (Form I-766 employment authorization document). This is your best bet. Much quicker and cheaper than getting a green card.

Interesting perspective.

#1 - as you (and I) elaborated - non-qualified under current immigration status.

#2 - since he (likely) has been a resident since childhood, and since FMCSA and state DMV's have really scrutinized non-domciled CDL's (to the point where some companies are now making you get a CLP in your home state, then upgrading there) - like not a good option. He "might" be able to get an "itra-state only" CDL in CA (MIGHT MIGHT MIGHT), but that doesn't get him on with an OTR company.

#3 - likely the WORST OPTION. He will have to claim citizenship/residency in Mexico to obtain one, and compromise his current DACA immigration status - and run the REAL RISK of not being re-admitted into the US, since he will have asserted his citizenship/residency in Mejico. I'm sure INS/CBP would LOVE TO SEE someone throw away a DACA.

Since trucking is one of those heavily regulated industries, and people who are BORN HERE have hurdles to jump through, I doubt anyone (but Commiefornia) is going to make it easier for someone with "grey-area-immigration-status" to get a job where you have to be an american citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify under federal regs. You will likely NOT GET A HIRE from an OTR company that does CDL Training, as there are numerous applicants WITHOUT status issues to choose from.

And while it's sad that children who were brought here illegally are stuck in "legal limbo" while the idiots in DC fight over it - either the laws are ENFORCED OR IGNORED...

Rick

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.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

CSA:

Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle

FMCSA:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.

What Does The FMCSA Do?

  • Commercial Drivers' Licenses
  • Data and Analysis
  • Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
  • Research and Technology
  • Safety Assistance
  • Support and Information Sharing

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

Fm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.

DMV:

Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.

DAC:

Drive-A-Check Report

A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).

It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.

Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OOS:

When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.

CLP:

Commercial Learner's Permit

Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.

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