Background Check (probation)

Hello fellow truckers, I have a couple questions and am looking for some honest answers. I have always wanted a career in truck driving. I have been watching videos non stop for years about the trucking industry and learning all the rules, regulations and safety protocols being a professional driver among the daily life of a lot of truckers out there. I have pre qualified for 3 company's that I am interested in. Veriha, Mills and Roehl. Getting to the point now. I am concerned for my backround check, as I do not want to quit my current job of 4 years to find out my backround check has failed. I don't exactly have a great backround. I have things like possession of thc (12 years ago, theft movable property (20 years ago) and a couple of other similar things of that nature (20 years old) my biggest concern is my more recent unfortunate charge. I won't go into detail of the charge. To say the least I title jumped a car title and was charged with forgery writing of objects. In turn was dropped to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and obstructing an officer. It's is so unfortunate because I never lied to the police officer. Also I was put on probation until restitution is payed 2000$ I am a law abiding citizen that had put myself around the wrong people. Anyway I have a clean MVR and am on probation only to pay the restitution. Not required to report other then over the phone to my probation officer. The sentence date for this charge is 1 year old. The charge was entered in 2018. Will they give me a chance possibly on something so fresh? Regardless I will not give up on trucking as a career I am just curious if I will have a problem getting into ANY apprenticeship or trucking company? Thanks guys and appreciate the help.

Did you include all these convictions on your applications? I don't read that you are a law abiding citizen with these continued problems over the past two decades.

Major carriers do deep background checks, so don't attempt to hide anything on the application. That would be another potential crime if discovered. Then it gets even deeper than most people think. Lie on an application and get hired, or something was overlooked by an employer. One day you're involved in an accident, and the "victim's" lawyers will definitely find out all about your past. Guess who may lose everything AND also be fitted for an orange jumpsuit?

As said above, I hope you disclosed all of your past on your applications. All of those companies tend to be less tolerant. No matter the circumstances of the crimes, you still wore them and own them.

You will have a harder time than most getting into this industry, especially with current probation. One missed payment or check in could have a warrant out for you. That would not bode well for a potential employer.

Make sure you try Western Express and CR England. Both of those tend to give second chances. CFI does take things on a case by case basis.

Good luck.

Hello Richard, and welcome to our forum!

It is tough landing a trucking job when on probation, but it is not impossible. You will probably need a letter from your probation officer stating that you are free to cross state lines for your job. The letter needs to be on the probation department's letter head. I think it will be extra tough getting in a company sponsored training program. To be honest, I wouldn't pay for a trucking school in your situation until I had paid my restitution.

As the others have stated, you have to disclose everything when applying. I think your best thing to do in the immediate time frame is concentrate on getting that restitution paid. If you can get that monkey off your back you can move forward a lot easier.

We are happy to help you with any other questions you may have, and we wish you the best!