Potential drivers often post questions on the forum about improving their conditions. They make a mistake or choice that they first believed would not be a problem but ended up being career-ending. Medical or history problems put the brakes on potential truck drivers before they even start, derailing their dreams. In other cases, it can just be a little hiccup that they had not anticipated, but in any case, it adds unnecessarily to the already tense scenario.
The following details might assist you in getting ready before you go to school. Do not be misled; acquiring a CDL from a nearby CDL school does not guarantee employment at a firm. It will not solve any of the above problems, but it can leave you bankrupt without a job.
By enrolling in a paid CDL training course—which we highly suggest here at Trucking Truth—you may lessen some of the anxiety of not finding employment after receiving your license.
But it only was…
I adore this assertion. But there was just one DUI, one 20 mph above the limit speeding citation, and one failed drug test. Why all the fuss? Never let someone behind the wheel which is truly unable to appreciate the responsibilities and repercussions of operating a 75-foot-long, 80,000-pound vehicle.
The instances above all display bad judgment and disregard for other people. Furthermore, no business will want to take a chance on paying expensive insurance premiums or facing legal liability due to such bad choices. It is the death knell for your career when you combine several of them.
The following are necessary to get your CDL or find employment as a truck driver:
- A reasonably clean driving record
- A reasonably clean criminal record
- A clean drug/alcohol history
- A healthy medical record
- Recent and verified work history
Your driving history
The majority of employers will want a clear three-year driving history. Therefore, there can be no suspensions, accidents, speeding fines, or irresponsible driving. Yes, it does matter if you receive a speeding citation for exceeding the speed limit by 15 mph since doing so is considered reckless driving. Yes, it counts that you let your license be suspended, regardless of whether it was due to infractions, a lack of insurance, or improper car registration. The fact that you do not care about your driving rights reflects poorly on you.
If you have had 20 years of spotless driving but have had two moving citations in the last year, it may hurt your chances of landing a job. Do not lie on your application, and you must also tell potential employers about convictions that have been erased. Be honest because if you don’t, they will be discovered, and you will seem dishonest.
Also, if you have had a significant offense, do not be shocked if a carrier asks you to reapply later. Different businesses will have different tolerance levels.
Your Criminal & Drug/Alcohol Background
Crimes are important. Despite claims that certain offenses are more acceptable than others, they reflect your character, and a potential employer may be wary of your application. If you have a history of theft or burglary, it may be assumed that you cannot be trusted with corporate cargo or equipment. Assaults and other violent offenses might indicate driving conduct detrimental to the company’s reputation.
Would you want a worker that would quarrel with clients or other drivers, or worse, attack them? Convictions for drug offenses show a problem that might result in lost lives and financial damages through lawsuits.
DUIs and drug use records show that you can harm or kill people without thinking about the repercussions. Insurers will charge exorbitant premiums to cover such a driver, and they will place a limit on the number of lifetime DUIs or felonies they would tolerate if any. Many employers need you to complete a substance abuse program before you can be hired if you fail a drug test.
Your Medical Record
You must disclose every medicine and therapy you have used or are using. For every situation, you should prepare to submit medical documents. Additionally, most employers will want at least 30 days of stability for diseases like high blood pressure or sleep apnea.
Also, what a firm may accept vs. what the DOT permits may vary; companies might establish their requirements for physicals, and one of the most often encountered problems is psychotropic drugs. Never presume that a firm will accept your antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication.
A corporation will often have a list of drugs on its “banned list,” and they may let you leave to go home, change to a different drug, and come back after 30 days of stability. If your medicine is rejected, it is not a reflection on you personally.
Your Employment History
Your employment history might determine your commitment to your new work and company. You may tell that you are unreliable if you go from job to job or quit without telling anybody. When you are in the business of delivering goods to consumers at certain appointment times, does having an unreliable employee seem appealing?
You may need to wait a year or two and work on whatever problems you have if you fall short in any of the areas above. Enhance your health, continue working for the same employer, maintain a spotless driving and criminal background, and postpone paying for CDL school until everything is better. Do not give up if you have previously received a rejection from businesses. The businesses will eventually see that you have improved your decision-making skills and are committed to completing the task.
My Past is Excellent, But What Now?
The following papers are likely necessary:
- A birth certificate with the raised seal of the state (not a hospital certificate)
- A Social Security Number
- For married or divorced female drivers, a marriage certificate or divorce judgment
- Your existing driver’s license
- For direct deposit payments, a voided check or bank branch deposit form.
- A list of all medications you are now taking or have taken in the last several years
- 30-day documentation of any sleep apnea treatments you may have had
- Your most recent three W2s and at least three pay stubs
Do I have any activities at home that could be a problem?
The support of the driver’s significant other is essential, but the driver must also consider the family. While providing for your family is admirable, there are times when you may need to stay at home. For instance, you may want to think again if you have a kid at home who has special needs. Having you away from home might be stressful for your spouse or kid, which could be bad for everyone.
A friend who lost a kid two years ago reacted by crossing the street. He used it as an excuse to avoid his wife and mask his grief. His wife, who felt abandoned, presented him with divorce papers last week. Although trucking is amazing, it is not worth destroying your family over.
What Is The Real Life Of A Trucker Like?
Once all those above are in order, the prospective driver must know what trucking entails. The majority of people are unaware of what the trucking lifestyle entails. To learn more about trucking, read the many articles and CDL training journals on this topic.
Consider visiting a truck dealership to examine what a vehicle’s inside looks like. I will never forget one of our forum members who declared she would load her trainer’s vehicle with camping gear, cooking utensils, and other such goods. We eventually succeeded in convincing her to stop by a dealership and have a look. It is pretty little inside, she said in answer, adding that she could not fathom two individuals living on the truck while in training.
One of my friends had claustrophobia. He resigned after completing CDL training in a day cab because he could not stand sleeping in a truck.
Finally, please contact us as soon as you have any questions. Many forum users contact us after joining their second or third firm, squandering their opportunity to make money.
