Getting Back Into Trucking
Topic 531 | Page 1
I would definitely start applying and see what they say.
You might want to check your DAC report first to see what is on there. If there is anything false on there you can get that cleaned up before sending in any applications.
Now if you haven't driven in more than a year or two you'll likely have to go through some kind of refresher course before anyone will hire you on but that's no big deal.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
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I would like some honest opinions about whether or not I should even try to get back into trucking, maybe it is not possible. Was fired by JB Hunt 5 years ago because the tandems came out of the back. It was an old rust bucket of a trailer that I should not have hauled. I did a tug test. Made a mistake. Was not cited by police, perfectly clean license. No damage to property or people. Worked there 2 years and was told I was a top driver. Had 4 years experience total. I have another job, but wonder if I could ever get back into the field. My question is: How long before a company would agree to hire me again, if ever? Are these things ever "forgiven". I still have my CDL with no violations in over 5 years. What should I do, just apply and see what they say?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Tandems:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".
Tandem:
Tandem Axles
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT. Drivers tend to refer to the tandem axles on their trailer as just "tandems". You might hear a driver say, "I'm 400 pounds overweight on my tandems", referring to his trailer tandems, not his tractor tandems. Tractor tandems are generally just referred to as "drives" which is short for "drive axles".