One Accident With No Citations. Can I Still Find Work And Where?

Rookie driver here. I was involved in a trucking accident where a 4 wheeler rear ended me. I used the companies gps and it showed me that I can make a legal u-turn. Once waiting for a clear opening to turn, a 4 wheeler rear ending because he was distracted by his phone(as he stated). Due to the company policy of no u-turning at all(didn't know because I was 1 month in by myself), I was fired. I had no citations for that incident because it was a legal turn. Am I still able to get job? If so, does anyone know where? Thanks in advance.

Jorge, it’s going to be tough for you to find another class A driving job. U-turns in a 18 wheeler are a huge no no. And yes, the GPS may tell you to make a U turn but every company that I know of prohibits them. I’ve driven for two companies and both of them made this very plain from the get-go.

So all you can do is to apply to every company out there and see if you get any bites. In the meantime, you might want to downgrade your license to a class B and get a job driving a dump truck, sanitation truck, etc. Think local work.

Good luck. Hang in there, you can still have a driving career, but be patient.

I think you can probably find a job. Apply everywhere. Definitely try Western Express. Be honest in any conversations with recruiters. Don't say anything about the GPS telling you it was okay to do a U-turn. Tell them you've learned your lesson. U-turns in big rigs are not smart. They are unsafe, as you discovered. You've got to realize this before moving forward. Your GPS is only a tool which is fallible. It's not a dictator.

I don't see any reason to downgrade your license. You could do Class B driving with a Class A license. So, I'm not sure why BK suggested downgrading. Be patient and diligent with applications. Hiring has slowed some, but companies are still hiring. You've put yourself in a less desirable category now, but I think it's possible for you to land a Class A position.

Old School, thanks for the fact check. My advice about downgrading was premature.

I downgraded once due to a medical card issue, but that is not the case here.

It would help if you would include your location. Won't help if we give you a name but you're outside of their hiring area. Check out:

Dutch Maid Logistics CR England

Thank you everyone for your comments. I def did learn my lesson as a rookie and will never do that again.

Old School, thanks for the fact check. My advice about downgrading was premature.

I downgraded once due to a medical card issue, but that is not the case here.

Yes. Once downgrading from a CLD A to a B then for an A again, you would have to take all the exams! Don't do this.

Old School, thanks for the fact check. My advice about downgrading was premature.

I downgraded once due to a medical card issue, but that is not the case here.

Yes. Once downgrading from a CLD A to a B then for an A again, you would have to take all the exams! Don't do this.

Kearsey , I had to downgrade to a class B several years ago in Wisconsin. When I was ready to get back my CDL A, all I had to do was present a new FedMed card, pay a small processing fee, and I got instantly upgraded to a CDL A. No exams required. I’m just wondering if we’re on the same page here?

Old School, thanks for the fact check. My advice about downgrading was premature.

I downgraded once due to a medical card issue, but that is not the case here.

Yes. Once downgrading from a CLD A to a B then for an A again, you would have to take all the exams! Don't do this.

Kearsey , I had to downgrade to a class B several years ago in Wisconsin. When I was ready to get back my CDL A, all I had to do was present a new FedMed card, pay a small processing fee, and I got instantly upgraded to a CDL A. No exams required. I’m just wondering if we’re on the same page here?

That was your particular case due to a physical issue, no? Big Scott went through a similar issue where he had a restriction until he could get cleared again. But that is not always the case. If you downgrade to a lower class in most instances and states, you retest. If your med card expires and your CDL is downgraded back to a D, you can't simply just go in and apply for an A again without retesting.

That is why we constantly say not to allow it to lapse.

Bruce you probably need to expand your net of companies if all of them prohibit uturns… As OS said it’s not smart and is dangerous, but legal in certain circumstances. I drove for 4 companies as a company driver. Only 1 of those prohibited uturns. They all said it had to be legal and warned of the dangers, but left it up to the driver to make a decision.

This is a case where the OP didn’t know the company policy and lost his job. All of us need to know the policies of the company we work for. Trainers need to go over policies while they have them. Either the OP forgot they were covered or it wasn’t covered between orientaion and road training.