Backstory And Question About Paid CDL Training Company's, "new" Potential Driver

So, i see there are alot of companies that offer paid CDL A training. I'm Currently located in Seattle, WA. I know my situation isn't exactly what most companies are looking for but, i'm hopeful that someone could point me in the right direction. Too find a good company that offers paid CDL training and job opportunities.

It's not exactly Ideal but, here's my situation. 35(y/o) Man, I had my regular drivers license suspended for failure to pay child support sometime around 2012. during the last 12 years, i really didn't have a use to have a license, infact i didn't have an income to even make payments. I was backpacking, hitchhiking ect. across the country. Ive been to every state in the continental US at least 5 times. Mostly because i just love the views and changing locations. I was young, dumb and I felt like i was going to die before I hit 30. At the time I wanted to make the most of my life.

Well now that I'm 35, almost 36 the reality of my situation is catching up with me, 10+ years with no work experience, living in ditches and begging for food has caught up with me and although i'm clean off of any drugs. (and have been for over 10 years) career pathways have seemed pretty limited. It's hard to get a job without Skills, or work history in general. Mind you I haven't had so much as a Jaywalking ticket in at-least 5 years probably longer.

Now I'm at a point where I am doing my best to buckle down and turn my life into something that i can be proud of but, i can't help but miss my long cross country trips and seeing the sunrise and sunset in a different state every night. I'm really interested in getting my CDL A. I feel a sense of peace on the highways and always envied the truck drivers i've met over the years.

The current problem i see looming over my head, is that until recently, my license was suspended for failure to pay child support. Obviously when looking at my drivers record that's really the only problem i've had since i was a teenager. So, i know its a dicey road to convince people i am a safe bet, considering the length of time that i went without restoring my non commercial license. Too be fair, for the last 2 years i've been a stay at home dad for my youngest son. Unfortunately his mother and I recently split apart after 9 years. In some ways it's been a blessing because its forced me to take a long hard look at my life and finally plan for a future my younger self never thought i'd see.

Ive been reading the forums, and browsing reddit. Looking for an answer to the question of how do i get started, who would take the chance of me to allow me too prove myself and my dedication. I need this opportunity like a fish needs water.

Looking at the profiles of some of the company's i can guess a few of them wouldn't give me the time of day. I'd bet good money they'd think i wasn't responsible enough to make the payments even if it's because i didn't have a job isn't going to be a very well received excuse and, in truth i can understand where they'd be coming from.

But, Without an opportunity to succeed i don't know how to move forward. I honestly just need one chance to prove myself. I can be one of their most safe, reliable, and consistent employees.

So my question is this, I have no issues relocating. No drug problems, no speeding tickets or other issues but, my license was just reinstated after a very long time. I'd love to be involved with a company that does cross country long haul trucking but currently (now that its re-instated) I'm not sure which company's that offer paid CDL training, would even give me a chance.

Would anyone here have any relevant experience or suggestions for where i should turn too? Which company's would hear out my situation and give me one opportunity? Because Sincerely one chance is all i need! I know that i need a company that will pay for the CDL training, and pay me while i'm going through it. (mostly so i can keep making payments, and will be able to house myself wherever training is.) I have 0 problems signing a long term contract to work for them, in-fact i welcome that idea because its job security and experience i wouldn't otherwise have.

Any help pointing me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

Sincerely thankyou for the help, hoping to see you on the highway soon. Micheal C.

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Just be patient, we are all working drivers and the guys will be coming along to give you different information to help you.

What I am getting from your post is that you have taken responsibility and are making payments on your back child support. Is that correct?

How recent was your license reinstated?

So basically you stopped wandering the country 2 years ago or 9 years ago when you met the mother of your child but started caring for this child 2 years ago? What were you doing in that time frame? When did you stop wandering? I think we've had some guys that have been homeless and have made it a go in being a driver. Hopefully they will come along and explain their steps to overcome the lack of work experience.

My lack of work experience was more concrete in that I took care of my Traumatic Brain Injured husband for 18 years and before that I had a couple small jobs while he was working on cattle ranches.

Just keep checking in here to see what the guys come up with. Don't worry too much about the other sites because a lot of them just have disgruntled people posting.

Laura

I'll answer these questions in order, hopefully itll help clear up my situation.

Yes, I've taken responsibility for my child support order and am in compliance with DCS, currently I owe about 70k airers but, i am working with the case manager an making the minimum monthly payments until i can land a career opportunity then ill happily pay more.

My license was reinstated within the last month. I know that's not a long time but, it's better then leaving it in the suspended limbo.

Basically i stopped doing drugs when i met my now ex about 9 or 10 years ago, we wandered the country together for about 5 years. occasionally we worked in some eco community's together, or doing small cash jobs before moving too living on a sailboat in the FL keys. while i was down there i worked cash jobs doing landscaping part time, but we were barely making enough for moorage. Then my grandmother in WA got sick and she wasn't doing too well, so we moved in to her house to take care of her daily needs. During that time my ex got pregnant and she worked though her pregnancy while i took care of my now deceased grandmother (she passed away last December just about 3 years after we moved out) I mostly managed the credit accounts raising her scores up until we got approved for a house in WA under her name, we moved into the new house when he was about 3 months old. After my son was born i stayed home taking care of the little guy up until now basically the last 2 1/2 - 3 years.

Hopefully that helps clear up any confusion from my original post.

Welcome to Trucking Truth!

Just be patient, we are all working drivers and the guys will be coming along to give you different information to help you.

What I am getting from your post is that you have taken responsibility and are making payments on your back child support. Is that correct?

How recent was your license reinstated?

So basically you stopped wandering the country 2 years ago or 9 years ago when you met the mother of your child but started caring for this child 2 years ago? What were you doing in that time frame? When did you stop wandering? I think we've had some guys that have been homeless and have made it a go in being a driver. Hopefully they will come along and explain their steps to overcome the lack of work experience.

My lack of work experience was more concrete in that I took care of my Traumatic Brain Injured husband for 18 years and before that I had a couple small jobs while he was working on cattle ranches.

Just keep checking in here to see what the guys come up with. Don't worry too much about the other sites because a lot of them just have disgruntled people posting.

Laura

Micheal, Laura asked a lot of good questions in her reply. They are important because there is SO much to unpack from your baggage.

I doubt that you will have a chance until you establish a job history, like starting yesterday. Get a steady job even if it’s not related to trucking. Maybe look into getting on with Amazon or Walmart or a company that has a dock-to-driver program. Get your child support situation squared up and keep your life squeaky clean. You may well need to work steady at a legit job for a year before any trucking company will consider your application. It won’t be easy for you but you are still young enough to accomplish your goal. There are those who start the preparation process who are much older than you. Sometimes it’s a one year plan, sometimes it’s a five year plan.

You have really dug yourself a hole, young man. Time to start filling it back in!

Hi. You have a a bunch to overcome

1. Not having your license active for at least 1 year. Some companies will require 3 years.

2. Work history is a huge deal. You need to get about a year of work history under your belt.

3. When the CDL law changed in Feb 22, washington state began refusing companies from being able to train. I work for Prime and we stopped taking students from WA sue to their state law. I am not sure if it is about my company, or the states requirements. You need to research it and try a company in WA.

Good luck

@BK Yeah, Thankyou BK. i definitely dug a deep hole for myself. i appreciate the honest feedback and ill have too see what i can do about getting some work history built up while i'm building up squeaky clean time with my license reinstated. It made me feel a bit better that you said i'm still young enough to do it, i haven't been feeling very young these days but, i know in theory ive still got alot of good years ahead of me.

@Trucking along with Kearsey Thankyou for the general timeline they'll be looking for and the info about Washington i'll spend some time tonight and research the new laws and see what you're talking about. it may be helpful to understand why company's wouldn't want someone from wa even if i can't move forward with it right now. its good information to understand. Both you and BK agree'd ill need at-least 1 year of solid work history even if its not a job i plan to stick with long term, i should make sure im employed asap.

I think maybe ill head down tomorrow too try my luck with amazon. i hear they're hiring locally and even if i can't get a drivers position immediately, it would at-least be something to build a work history with. I appreciate you both for taking the time to read through my long winded issue and help me get an idea of what i'll need to do to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

I wish there was a surefire way to get the ball rolling already but, it makes sense people want to see your responsible though a history of your actions and, not just rely on what could be the hollow words of hearing you say it. Thanks again, Micheal C.

Micheal, you can do this if you have enough patience and determination. Start learning the craft as soon as you can by going through the High Road training on this site. Ask questions as you go, your questions will get you solid answers and advice.

Seriously consider looking into getting an entry level job with a company like you mentioned, Amazon. See what it would take for you to get started on a driver path. I think Walmart has a program too. If you get started and want to get a small idea of what it’s like to be a driver, hit me up for a ride-along at some point if I’m still driving. That would be a week or two in the truck as a passenger (if you pass the sniff test, lol). My guess is that you would adapt well to the life if you want to and stick with a plan. Good luck and keep us posted!

High Road CDL Training Program

Here's a list of Approved schools in the state of Washington. While many companies may choose to not bring WA residents to their out of state schools you still have options for paid training. Many of the large companies partner with private schools.

One option for you would be contact a private school. I attended 160 driving academy and part of their enrollment process was getting pre-hired at numerous companies they partnered with. I attended the school in Moline Illinois and had a great experience. We had students that had contracts to work for Schneider, Swift, USA Truck and US Xpress among others. Each school runs independently for the most part and your experience would vary depending on the quality of the instructors.

It'd be worth a shot to check those out but the license suspension is likely to hold you up. If it does, find a job doing something to establish work history.