Accepted Into Cypress Trucking School

I have been reading for awhile on here and learning a lot, but this is my first post.

I am new to the industry and have applied to many places, but I have been rejected because of my job history. For the past five years, I have done gig economy (contractor) jobs and odd jobs for cash. Nobody wants me because I can’t provide W-2’s or 1099’s for this time period.

Beyond that, I have a period in the past 10 years where I was completely unemployed.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got an offer to go to training at Cypress Trucking. There was no mention of bringing proof of employment or job history to training.

After reading on the forum, it appears that cypress doesn’t ask for this stuff until orientation (after training) which is in a different location. I found on their website that they ask for 10 years of history, including letters from people to verify my periods of unemployment.

What happens if I can’t provide this to their satisfaction? Will they work with me to assemble acceptable documentation?

Will they fire me after training me?

Will I still be able to walk away with my CDL?

Will they make me pay for training? I don’t know how I can pay them back if I don’t have a job.

If I do walk away with a CDL , will it be worthless because nobody will hire a driver with no experience and gaps/unverifiable job history?

Any answers, advice, or ideas are greatly appreciated!

You need to contact a recruiter right away and ask them these questions. If u get to orientation and cannot provide proof. Then they will most likely send you home on your dime.

If you get a CDL from a local school you will be wasting your time and money because even with a CDL many companies won't hire you. Companies will not hire you until after you get your CDL in most cases.

What you received was an invitation to orientation. They can do additional drug testing, physicals and interviews and send you home if you cannot pass. Gather any information you can on your past employment, notarized statements signed by friends and family proving you worked or why you were not working. Any documents you can provide.

Hi aj

It's a federal mandate that a company has to have 10 years of work history in the driver's file. It was a response to some terrorism stuff that happened years back.

Any reputable carrier will require this. I wouldn't even enter into this industry until you do. Sorry for the bad news.

Hi aj

It's a federal mandate that a company has to have 10 years of work history in the driver's file. It was a response to some terrorism stuff that happened years back.

Any reputable carrier will require this. I wouldn't even enter into this industry until you do. Sorry for the bad news.

I thought beginners only had to provide 3 years work history. That's all I had to do in 2014....which I had 5.5 paid yrs of caring for my husband before he died. Before that I just cared for him cause he was my husband. I didn't have to provide any of that time.

When did the time frame change to 10 years (was for CDL holders) for new drivers?

Laura

You're right Laura. It's just 3 years for new CDL holders. The ten years requirement is for experienced drivers.

Although... some companies still ask for 10 from their new drivers.

I have been reading for awhile on here and learning a lot, but this is my first post.

I am new to the industry and have applied to many places, but I have been rejected because of my job history. For the past five years, I have done gig economy (contractor) jobs and odd jobs for cash. Nobody wants me because I can’t provide W-2’s or 1099’s for this time period.

Beyond that, I have a period in the past 10 years where I was completely unemployed.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got an offer to go to training at Cypress Trucking. There was no mention of bringing proof of employment or job history to training.

After reading on the forum, it appears that cypress doesn’t ask for this stuff until orientation (after training) which is in a different location. I found on their website that they ask for 10 years of history, including letters from people to verify my periods of unemployment.

What happens if I can’t provide this to their satisfaction? Will they work with me to assemble acceptable documentation?

Will they fire me after training me?

Will I still be able to walk away with my CDL?

Will they make me pay for training? I don’t know how I can pay them back if I don’t have a job.

If I do walk away with a CDL , will it be worthless because nobody will hire a driver with no experience and gaps/unverifiable job history?

Any answers, advice, or ideas are greatly appreciated!

AJ;

Howdy from me as well; welcome to TT. I'm from NY, FL, and settled in Ohio.. not that it matters, BUT for, I know a bit about Cypress. If you'd be kind enough to put 'Florida' in your profile, at least as the state you hail from, it'd help us, help you.

First thing Tuesday 9/5, call Clay. He's the bossman of training at Cypress. Ask HIM what you asked us. Clay H. @ 904.353.8641 ext 535 ~ it matters not if you mention me, but he knows of us @ Trucking Truth. Kindly tell him you got advice, here...re: training w/them.

He's a good guy, will kindly answer the above. I'll bet dollars to donuts, they don't want to waste their time and money with you being unawares/unprepared. Did you not have luck, here?!? : Apply For Paid CDL Training ?!? I'd do this one, too!!

Just a bit of info ~ hope it helps.

~ Anne ~

ps: I've got a few other 'Floridas' in my bag of tricks, (j/k) I'm unsure if Prime or CFI are hiring there these days, honestly! Florida is so 'iffy' with freight, & companies that train intra state residents; only because the freight lanes make it tough to get folks home.

I don't know, maybe it's 3 for a beginner, i've always had to give 10 years. Here's the reg.

§ 383.35 Notification of previous employment.

(a) Any person applying for employment as an operator of a commercial motor vehicle shall provide at the time of application for employment, the information specified in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) All employers shall request the information specified in paragraph (c) of this section from all persons applying for employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator. The request shall be made at the time of application for employment.

(c) The following employment history information for the 10 years preceding the date the application is submitted shall be presented to the prospective employer by the applicant:

(1) A list of the names and addresses of the applicant's previous employers for which the applicant was an operator of a commercial motor vehicle;

(2) The dates the applicant was employed by these employers; and

(3) The reason for leaving such employment.

(d) The applicant shall certify that all information furnished is true and complete.

(e) An employer may require an applicant to provide additional information.

(f) Before an application is submitted, the employer shall inform the applicant that the information he/she provides in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section may be used, and the applicant's previous employers may be contacted for the purpose of investigating the applicant's work history.

I don't know, maybe it's 3 for a beginner, i've always had to give 10 years. Here's the reg.

§ 383.35 Notification of previous employment.

(a) Any person applying for employment as an operator of a commercial motor vehicle shall provide at the time of application for employment, the information specified in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) All employers shall request the information specified in paragraph (c) of this section from all persons applying for employment as a commercial motor vehicle operator. The request shall be made at the time of application for employment.

(c) The following employment history information for the 10 years preceding the date the application is submitted shall be presented to the prospective employer by the applicant:

(1) A list of the names and addresses of the applicant's previous employers for which the applicant was an operator of a commercial motor vehicle;

(2) The dates the applicant was employed by these employers; and

(3) The reason for leaving such employment.

(d) The applicant shall certify that all information furnished is true and complete.

(e) An employer may require an applicant to provide additional information.

(f) Before an application is submitted, the employer shall inform the applicant that the information he/she provides in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section may be used, and the applicant's previous employers may be contacted for the purpose of investigating the applicant's work history.

>

Good stuff, Sid. Figured the same, but always remembered something from Rickipedia (or G, or one of the higherups!) and FOUND it:

Driver Qualifications; employment and reportable years of employment.

I'm almost thinking that Brett SHOULD add some of this, into the Trucking'Pedia we have here!!

Hope the O/P sure does stop back; else we sure put a lot of time in, for NADA!

Honestly, if that link I've attached IS the golden rule, still and forward, PLEASE ... someone.. (ie: mods) put it in a 'safe place,' if you will !

Thanks, y'all ! More to come .. always ~

Hope that helps; and/or works! BE SAFE, this weekend, and always!

~ Anne ~ (and not Tom, this time!)

ps: If link is a fail, copy & paste here; https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/SubSections.aspx?ch=23&sec=66&sub=152