Underage Drinking Ruin My Chances?

Hi fellas,

I got in trouble for drinking as a minor near the end of 2017 and my suspension wasn't over until 2018 due to how I didn't have much help, and I was just very ignorant to the process. I was 17 at the time but turned 18 on January 12th 2018. I don't know if that makes a difference but I was under the impression that offence would not be on my record until I got my background check from Uber and they turned me down because of this non-vehicular offense. After doing some googling, I found out that I can get it expunged since in 21 now and served all sentences and payed all fines. The problem is that it takes months for the court to process expungements and I was gonna start CDL training with Wilson Logistics near the end of this November.

Should I even bother going to any trainings until I get this expunged? I told my recruiter and she didn't seem like it was a big deal, but it's not in my application since I didn't know it was on my record until until after the fact. Would it help if I ask to update my actual application? I heard that they will send you home half way through even if you told them about your record prior to being accepted for training. I'd rather wait if it would give me a better chance because Wilson seems like a very nice company to work for.

I think my most important question is, would a summary offense of underage drinking in Pennsylvania that I got over 3 years ago ruin my chances of being accepted to Wilson or other companies? How much more difficult is it for me to be accepted into CDL training with this offense?

I appreciate any feedback :)

I think you will be okay. You explained this to your recruiter, and are scheduled to begin training for sure at Wilson?

Hi fellas,

I got in trouble for drinking as a minor near the end of 2017 and my suspension wasn't over until 2018 due to how I didn't have much help, and I was just very ignorant to the process. I was 17 at the time but turned 18 on January 12th 2018. I don't know if that makes a difference but I was under the impression that offence would not be on my record until I got my background check from Uber and they turned me down because of this non-vehicular offense. After doing some googling, I found out that I can get it expunged since in 21 now and served all sentences and payed all fines. The problem is that it takes months for the court to process expungements and I was gonna start CDL training with Wilson Logistics near the end of this November.

Should I even bother going to any trainings until I get this expunged? I told my recruiter and she didn't seem like it was a big deal, but it's not in my application since I didn't know it was on my record until until after the fact. Would it help if I ask to update my actual application? I heard that they will send you home half way through even if you told them about your record prior to being accepted for training. I'd rather wait if it would give me a better chance because Wilson seems like a very nice company to work for.

I think my most important question is, would a summary offense of underage drinking in Pennsylvania that I got over 3 years ago ruin my chances of being accepted to Wilson or other companies? How much more difficult is it for me to be accepted into CDL training with this offense?

I appreciate any feedback :)

If everything has been disclosed upfront, you should be fine. I would not worry about waiting for expungement because trucking companies can will find out what they want to find out, even with an expunged record. Expungement, as far as trucking companies go, will simply give you a false sense of security that you don't have to disclose that conviction any longer. Unless you are in a state that has specific laws barring being asked about expunged or pardoned records, trucking companies expect such information to be disclosed on the application.

I am not an attorney and what I have provided is not legal advice. This is my personal opinion based on my understanding of how trucking companies operate.

~Kerry

Hi fellas,

I got in trouble for drinking as a minor near the end of 2017 and my suspension wasn't over until 2018 due to how I didn't have much help, and I was just very ignorant to the process. I was 17 at the time but turned 18 on January 12th 2018. I don't know if that makes a difference but I was under the impression that offence would not be on my record until I got my background check from Uber and they turned me down because of this non-vehicular offense. After doing some googling, I found out that I can get it expunged since in 21 now and served all sentences and payed all fines. The problem is that it takes months for the court to process expungements and I was gonna start CDL training with Wilson Logistics near the end of this November.

Should I even bother going to any trainings until I get this expunged? I told my recruiter and she didn't seem like it was a big deal, but it's not in my application since I didn't know it was on my record until until after the fact. Would it help if I ask to update my actual application? I heard that they will send you home half way through even if you told them about your record prior to being accepted for training. I'd rather wait if it would give me a better chance because Wilson seems like a very nice company to work for.

I think my most important question is, would a summary offense of underage drinking in Pennsylvania that I got over 3 years ago ruin my chances of being accepted to Wilson or other companies? How much more difficult is it for me to be accepted into CDL training with this offense?

I appreciate any feedback :)

A subsequent DUI as a result, would be more problematic, IMHO. Stop back; keep us in the loop, and ask away! Wilson is a great company.

Best of luck;

~ Anne ~

ps: Our mod, Kearsey, is an EXCELLENT source of info, for women in this industry.. Check it out! Kearsey !!! / Prime Trainer

Yes I told her after I got a copy of my background check, but its not on my application. I'm thinking I should ask to add it to my application? We pushed the date back but yes, I have a date to start training on a Monday but we don't go over applications till Thursday, so I'm worried they'll send me home then.

Yes I told her after I got a copy of my background check, but its not on my application. I'm thinking I should ask to add it to my application? We pushed the date back but yes, I have a date to start training on a Monday but we don't go over applications till Thursday, so I'm worried they'll send me home then.

FWIW ... (and Kerry is RIGHT about expungements. . . they find stuff out, no matter. . . ) I would 'amend' your application, beforehand; IF there is somewhere to 'put' that info!

ie: Under 'have you ever been arrested?' Should BE INCLUDED, if in fact, you were.

OR: Have you ever been charged with: ' <<< insert their terms here >>> ' yes.

(DID you get a subsequent DUI , open container, or any 'other' charges?)

Yep, sure sucks to be sent home, and there's a good chance you WILL owe a portion of the training. Read Scott's Stevens' application conundrum: Training Conundrum . . . and his wasn't even an omission, AT ALL. It was an 'inclusion.' Who 'knows' what the right/wrong is here.

IIWY, I'd err on the side of caution. It's PAST the 3 years, that most companies consider, anyway.

Just, IMHO!

Best wishes, Jen.

~ Anne ~

Yes I told her after I got a copy of my background check, but its not on my application. I'm thinking I should ask to add it to my application? We pushed the date back but yes, I have a date to start training on a Monday but we don't go over applications till Thursday, so I'm worried they'll send me home then.

*Jan!

My apologies . . . last screenname ended in an 'e' and us 'oldies but goodies' sure get confused, haha!

SORRY!!

Haha thank you for all the info, Anne. You're right, I'm just nervous and over thinking it lol. I'll ask to add it tomorrow. Hopefully it isn't a big deal since it was over 3 years ago and it was just a juvenile offense, and if it is a big deal, hopefully my recruiter tells me before I drive all the way to Missouri 😂

Hi fellas,

I got in trouble for drinking as a minor near the end of 2017 and my suspension wasn't over until 2018 due to how I didn't have much help, and I was just very ignorant to the process. I was 17 at the time but turned 18 on January 12th 2018. I don't know if that makes a difference but I was under the impression that offence would not be on my record until I got my background check from Uber and they turned me down because of this non-vehicular offense. After doing some googling, I found out that I can get it expunged since in 21 now and served all sentences and payed all fines. The problem is that it takes months for the court to process expungements and I was gonna start CDL training with Wilson Logistics near the end of this November.

Should I even bother going to any trainings until I get this expunged? I told my recruiter and she didn't seem like it was a big deal, but it's not in my application since I didn't know it was on my record until until after the fact. Would it help if I ask to update my actual application? I heard that they will send you home half way through even if you told them about your record prior to being accepted for training. I'd rather wait if it would give me a better chance because Wilson seems like a very nice company to work for.

I think my most important question is, would a summary offense of underage drinking in Pennsylvania that I got over 3 years ago ruin my chances of being accepted to Wilson or other companies? How much more difficult is it for me to be accepted into CDL training with this offense?

I appreciate any feedback :)

If everything has been disclosed upfront, you should be fine. I would not worry about waiting for expungement because trucking companies can will find out what they want to find out, even with an expunged record. Expungement, as far as trucking companies go, will simply give you a false sense of security that you don't have to disclose that conviction any longer. Unless you are in a state that has specific laws barring being asked about expunged or pardoned records, trucking companies expect such information to be disclosed on the application.

I am not an attorney and what I have provided is not legal advice. This is my personal opinion based on my understanding of how trucking companies operate.

~Kerry

Thank you! Hopefully Wilson understands. I'll let you all know what happens in the days to come!

Haha thank you for all the info, Anne. You're right, I'm just nervous and over thinking it lol. I'll ask to add it tomorrow. Hopefully it isn't a big deal since it was over 3 years ago and it was just a juvenile offense, and if it is a big deal, hopefully my recruiter tells me before I drive all the way to Missouri 😂

A good recruiter will be straight forward as to whether it will be a problem or not. Keep us updated.