Profile For Michael M.

Congrats on passing. My CLP test in NJ got postponed today until 12/29/20 due to Covid.

Hey all just need to vent a little bit about how difficult it has been trying to get a CLP in my home state of NJ. After four months I finally got an appointment which was set for next Monday, Dec 7th. Got notified earlier today that my local DMC location ****ting down for 14 days due to employee testing positive for COVID. All appointments within that time frame are cancelled. I immediately went to the DMV website to reschedule appt and the earliest available is Dec 29th. So frustrating because I am prepared and ready for test and was planning on sending out applications after the test on Monday.

Has anybody else had this problem ?

Thanks

Thanks for all the info Rick. The accident is on my State of NJ DMV driving record. It just states I was involved in an accident.

As far as "reportable accidents" go - what companies are referring to in their applications are DOT REPORTABLE ACCIDENTS.

The accident being marked as "reportable" in the case of a NON-CMV-INVOLVED wreck - usually means it gets forwarded to the State DMV (not FMCSA) as a matter of record. Accidents where the cop did a FULL REPORT (versus the one page driver notification report), are pretty much always submitted to the state DMV, and will show up as an accident on your MVR.

In a nutshell - DOT Reportable Accidents - are ones where a vehicle has to be towed from the scene - and/or - someone leaves the scene in a ambulance.

If the accident didn't involve a Commercial Motor Vehicle - than it is NOT DOT Reportable.

A "major accident" is similar - meaning significant damage to vehicles - and/or - life threatening injuries.

A "major accident" would obviously also be DOT Reportable - but differs in the nature of serious injuries or damage to the extent that a vehicle will likely be totalled (versus minor fender benders, clipping a mirror off, etc.). But would also apply to non-CMV accidents.

Trucking company applications are generic and assume the applicant is already a driver - and there are things that DOT REQUIRES (such as 3 years verifiable history for a non-truck driver, and 10 years for a driver).

Most companies look at accidents at a 3 year interval. A big factor is FAULT. In a he said/she said - where no citations are issued - which the LEO can't really do in absence of an obvious violation (failure to yield, etc.) and if the cop didn't actually witness it and there are no witnesses to testify to it - then the citation usually gets thrown out (FIGHT EVERY TICKET).

Since companies are "leery" of accidents in the one year mark - and there were no citations issued with the anniversary of the accident a couple of days away - you could also WAIT until afterwards to apply.

As everyone pretty much said - APPLY EVERYWHERE - GET IN WHERE YOU CAN. Get some safe time behind the wheel - and more/better opportunities will become available down the road.

Best of luck - DO keep us posted on your progress/results.

Rick

Thank you for your feedback . I feel like I can now move forward feeling like I am making the right decision for me !!! Will keep you updated on my journey.

Congrats on being asked to train again. CFI obviously thinks very highly of you.

BigScott I really respect your opinion so i hope you don’t mind if I ask you this question in this thread ?

I am going to be sending my application into CFI next week. What are your thoughts about going through CDL training with CFI in the middle of winter ? Good time to do it ? Should I wait for better weather ?

Thanks

I had a student who got the title of Ice Road Trucker, because of the amount of time he chose to drive on an icy highway in a blizzard. Then he got to upgrade in a snow storm. Just saw him the other day on his return to CFI.

If you have little to no experience in winter driving jump in. CFI dispatches us as a solo truck, you drive with your trainer in the seat next to you.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Congrats on being asked to train again. CFI obviously thinks very highly of you.

BigScott I really respect your opinion so i hope you don’t mind if I ask you this question in this thread ?

I am going to be sending my application into CFI next week. What are your thoughts about going through CDL training with CFI in the middle of winter ? Good time to do it ? Should I wait for better weather ?

Thanks

Hey PackRat - I called some companies and this is what they said about my accident: CFI - no problem should not disqualify me for training ROEHL - have to wait to apply once accident is one year old. (accident was 12/21/2019) WILSON LOGISTICS - could not give me an answer until I submit complete application and police report of accident MILLIS - no issue because they will not hire me because I live in New Jersey.

Going to call all the companies directly and ask before I send in my application. I will let you know what they say.

I just heard that Millis is going to start phasing out the trucks with double bunks and replacing them with single bunk trucks and also removing air ride passenger seat and replacing it with seat bolted to the floor. Is this information correct and if so what is the reasoning behind it ? Suppose a driver wants to take his son out on the road, NO PLACE TO SLEEP.

Thanks

No citations for either myself or the other driver. Never went to court. My insurance paid for damage on my car, other driver dealt directly with their insurance company

My driving record other than the accident last year is all clear no tickets and or other accidents

Any citations that you have copies of? If so, how did the courts rule?

Hello Everyone - I am getting ready to start applying for company sponsored CDL training and I have a question about driving records. I had an accident in my personal vehicle almost one year ago. I was not found to be at fault and I could drive my car away from the accident scene but the other car had to be towed away. No injuries to me or the other driver. I told the police officer the other car ran the red light and the other driver told the police I ran the red light. The accident does appear on my driving record from the DMV in NJ. I have both a copy of my driving record and the accident report. Some companies I have looked at say no "major" and or "reportable" accidents within anywhere in the last 3- 5 years. This accident according to the accident report is considered to be "reportable".

Will this accident disqualify me from company sponsored CDL training ? My top three companies I am interested in are Millis, CFI and ROEHL.

Thank you !!!!