Work History

I am looking to get my CDL , I am having the problem probably most are with no work history. The last 8 years I have been a stay at home mom and on SSI. Let me explain before people start judging saying im lazy as I've seen on forums. When I was 15 I was in a car accident by 17 had a discectomy on L4/L5. When I was 18 I jump into a marriage that I shouldn't have. He was severely abusive causing some medical issues. I was young the doctors felt I should wait until I couldn't bare the pain anymore to fix the issues. I have a high pain tolerance so I made it into my early 30's needing a total right hip replacement and not wanting to be on pain meds anymore for my back so I had a spinal stimulator put in. I've given my self plenty of time to heal and been pain free. My hip I can't even tell I had a replacement. So, here is my issue I've talked to many companies that disqualify me for the work history. I can pass a dot physical, but how can I pass the work history with not having employment in 8 years?

Welcome Jean!

The work history requirement is something of a two edged sword. It's a Federal requirement that came about after the 9/11 attacks. The government decided they needed a way to make sure people weren't spending their time in terrorist training camps prior to going into trucking and wreaking havoc like they did with our airplanes. That's the purpose of it from the regulations side of the sword.

The other side is that a good work history provides the trucking company with some assurance that you have a track record of sticking with something when things aren't necessary going swimmingly. Trucking is a very challenging career to break into. Most rookie drivers throw in the towel early on and these companies would rather hire someone who has a solid work history because those candidates typically work out better.

Never fear, there's hope for those with no work history. What you need to provide is three (3) letters from acquaintances of yours (non family members are best) who can say that they've known you for years and that you have been a stay at home mom. I think they should also indicate that you are no longer needing to be on SSI. These letters need to be notarized as well.

There are many trucking companies that will accept that in the case of no work history. We usually recommend that you go through one of the many Paid CDL Training Programs. These companies are the best way to get started, but you need to understand you are under a contractual agreement to commit yourself to the job. There's little to no money needed upfront, but you will need the determination and commitment to persevere your rookie year.

It's a great job with great benefits. It's also very challenging. You can certainly do it, but you will find it testing you on several levels. I'm not trying to frighten you or sound alarming. I want you to succeed at this - I want you to be prepared for the realities. There are tens of thousands of people who make careers in trucking every year. You can certainly be one of them.

That work history gives evidence of what you've been doing the last few years. Get those letters prepared and mention their existence in your applications. You can click this link and fill one application that goes to many companies...

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Also, I encourage you to go through the following materials. They are great resources that will help you make the transition into this rewarding career.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

If you have kept your yearly SSI statements, make copies of them to show that you were on SSI.

My brother was in a car wreck and was on mental health meds for 25 years when he decided to get off them (under his doctor's care). He stayed off them for a year with no issues so got a clean bill of health to go to school. He was 61. He chose the independent school route, which he later wished he had gone to a company school.

After the independent school was over, England hired him. What they required was 5 years of his SSDI statements. Since he didn't save them, he went to a Social Security Office and got a printout. England was happy with that.

Laura

Hello everyone, this post has answered some questions of my own about having no work history. I am a 59 yr old female that has been on SSI for the past 5 yrs due to my hearing loss. I am seriously considering going for my CDL and becoming a truck driver. But I have ran into the same problems with having no work history. I'm glad to hear there is hope and help out there for this type of situation. Thanks for posting this!!

Hello Sherryl, and welcome to Trucking Truth!

We are glad to see this information was helpful in your situation. One additional thing those letters need to include is the contact information for the person writing it. Part of that regulation requires the information be "verifiable." Having that contact information included meets that requirement.

Feel free to reach out to us with any other questions you may have regarding a new career in trucking. There are many helpful folks here who would be happy to assist you.