Can I Get My CDL With This Driving Record?

Hello Everyone! I apologize in advance if this question has already been answered - which I'm sure it has somewhere in this massive forum... nonetheless I have downloaded my driving record, just finished reading Mike's awesome book, and I am ready to get my CDL. My first hurdle is finding out exactly IF I can do this, with my record. If anyone can give me guidance, I can upload my record, email it with the private info blocked out, whatever is recommended for a new guy. I appreciate the time of you all and I hope to soon return the favor by being helpful for the guys that come after me. FYI, I've had a DUI over 10 years back, been pulled over speeding more then 15 mph over the limit also within the past few years... but I'm a different person now, that's the truth! Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Dustin.

For your driving record, how many speeding tickets, the speed, and how long ago were these settled by the court?

The DUI is bad, but not a non-starter for most companies. There are some that will not accept any DUI ever, but these are few.

Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Dustin.

For your driving record, how many speeding tickets, the speed, and how long ago were these settled by the court?

The DUI is bad, but not a non-starter for most companies. There are some that will not accept any DUI ever, but these are few.

Companies that hire with DUI's

~ A ~

Hello Dustin, and welcome to our forum!

There's nothing on your record that will keep you from obtaining a CDL. The bigger concern is whether you can get hired. Here's what course of action I'd recommend. Try first by Applying For Paid CDL Training. By doing so you will find out your likelihood of getting hired. Each of those companies help you get your CDL then guarantee you a job after you successfully complete their training program. They will check into your background and driving record before agreeing to take you on.

If you cannot get started with any of those companies you will have to attend a private truck driving academy. That usually means laying out your own money, or maybe getting a state funded grant, to fund your training. The problem then becomes that you've laid out hard earned money for a license that won't guarantee a job.

If you try the Paid CDL Training Programs first, that will help you guage your chances at employment. It's likely you will hear a lot of rejections, but persistence will help you some. It will be much easier once that 15 over speeding ticket gets to be a little more than three years old.

Most companies will have their requirements posts on how many tickets you can have, I have been through the ringer with this. There are a ton of great resources here, that I have spent hours pouring over. Paid CDL Training Programs helped me out a lot.

I have 3 speeding tickets in the last 3 years, all of which were originally cited as 15 or more over. some companies will and some wont. Swift and Knight declined to hire me, The Prime recruiter and I went back and forth from Yes to We Cant to Yes, so Ive currently been accepted to attend their student orientation and school. Western said "We dont care about your tickets" more or less. Wiltrans (Wilson and Palmer) couldnt do it. Most that couldnt have a limit of no more than 2 tickets in the last two years, no more than 1 15 or over.

I cant stress enough, the value of being honest and upfront with the company about your driving record so that it doesnt come about in orientation. But it sounds like you are on top of that.

In General, one 15 over ticket in the last year should be able to be overcome.