Messed Up My Driving Record Before Starting Trucking School.

I agree. We've all made mistakes, it's just that some of us didn't get caught. 6 string, I'm just curious, do you think he could get hired if the charge were reduced to reckless driving and he pleaded guilty to that instead? I have a friend who got a dui and did that with a lawyer. Because of the nature of her job, she couldn't have any alcohol-related offenses on her record. Granted it wasn't a driving job. Cost her about 12 grand though.

I stand by my comment. Drinking and driving the day before starting Truck Driving School, in my opinoin, and I'm sure many others, exhibits poor judgement. Particularly when you are aware of the dire consequences to your chosen career.

Again, that's stating the obvious, like I said. I think your sentiment would be everybody's opinion, and it's not even an opinion, it's an obvious example of poor judgement, i.e. it's a fact. What I'm suggesting to you is that making such a statement isn't helpful or constructive. People can mistakes, accept responsibility, and move on.

"AA Classes"...

I like that.

I've been sober for many years. Still go to meetings.

Only you can decide if you have a problem with alcohol.

If you blew in a breathalyzer - they got you. Almost no way of getting around it.

And unless you get the cases DISMISSED - you have a DUI , like it or not.

And most companies won't touch you for at least a couple - if not 3-5 years. So I wouldn't bother with getting your CDL right now.

Rick

Willson you got some really solid and candid advice from 6-String and Rick. Once you get this behind you, possibly a consideration is to hire-on with an LTL as a dock worker. You'll at least get to know the business that way.

We all do make mistakes. It's how we recover that matters the most.

Good luck.

I may have come off a little harsh. Let me expand a bit. I got a DUI back in 1993. Lost a good job that required me to drive a Company Vehicle. Lots of people stated the "Obvious" to me. I was irresponsible and used poor judgement. These people included my Employer, Family, The Judge, etc. Did it get through to me? NOPE!!!! I continued my poor judgement and irresponsible behavior for several more years. Fortunately, I was not arrested again( I should have been several hundred times!!). After blaming others, and refusing to take responsibility for my actions, a failed marriage and other damaged relationships, I sought help. I have been sober for many years now. Life is good today, I really wish I had figured it out sooner, but it takes what it takes. I thank God that I didn't kill myself or injure or maim anyone else with my irresponsible drinking and driving behavior. If you think you may have a problem with your drinking, by all means, check out some AA Meetings. They are free and you have no obligations to anyone but yourself. Again, let me apologize for being so blunt without any further explanation. Good Luck.

Thanks Rick for helping me think through my first post. It's nice to know there is another friend of Bill on the forum.

You're human, we all make mistakes. Most importantly you didn't get hurt or harm anyone else, so thank goodness for that! However, just as most of these folks have already commented on here, it is going to be very wise for you to hold off on getting your CDL and going to school. I was charged in September of 2012 for DUI , and blew well over the limit. Of course, back then I had no idea or thoughts about getting into the trucking industry. However, late last year in to early this year, I had decided I wanted to go trucking. Well anyway lets skip back to the legal process of my DUI. As I said earlier, I blew way over the legal limit. I had my court hearing for my driver's license and obviously lost that battle, as I should have. Then came the big court date. Got found NOT GUILTY, however, I won't lie, I should have been convicted. So now lets skip ahead. Earlier this year, I had applied to Schneider and a few other companies feeling really well about my start in a new career, especially since I didn't have anything holding me back, well or so I thought. It wasn't until I went through my phone interview with Schneider that I realized a NOT GUILTY verdict still will hurt you and here is why. In Kansas, we have a court for the Drivers License and Criminal Charges. Since I lost my license, it obviously still showed up on my record as a DUI, however, it only showed up as a restriction and not a violation. Now here is what is really getting me right now. Even though my charge date was 2012, I am not eligible for most companies until 2018 because the only date that is showing up on my MVR is the date the DUI interlock was installed on my truck. So technically speaking my DUI is almost 4 years old, but because I went on a military deployment right after my court date and waited until I got back to put the interlock in my truck, in the trucking world's eyes, its only 3 old unfortunately. A very large handful of companies will take drivers that have DUI's that are 5 years old. There are some that will take you after 3 years and one company that I know of will take you after 2 years, but your best bet for better companies and options is 5 years after. Best advice is to keep your head up and learn from this experience. It does suck, believe you me, I am still finding out. Best of luck in your future endeavors.

My brother just got a dui and with a good attorney he was able to walk away with a fine and community service. If he stays out of trouble for two years it will drop off his record. He is also a vet and had a perfect record before this happened.

My brother just got a dui and with a good attorney he was able to walk away with a fine and community service. If he stays out of trouble for two years it will drop off his record. He is also a vet and had a perfect record before this happened.

Joe you might want to reread some of the previous responses, especially from Rick and 6-String.

Yes the charge may drop off the criminal record but it will not drop off the driving record.

My brother just got a dui and with a good attorney he was able to walk away with a fine and community service. If he stays out of trouble for two years it will drop off his record. He is also a vet and had a perfect record before this happened.

Yeah I'm in a world of trouble more than I thought, DUI in a national park is federal land... Federal court, federal judge, federal special attorney and that means a heartier backlash.

I've taken your guys advice I'm going to hold off on trucking for some time. I was only getting into trucking so I could move back to Michigan in the next couple years and where we want to move to jobs are scare, so trucking was going to be our way out, now granted I was just going to work for a relative, I think he is if mine owner at j.w. Hunt but I doubt I couldn't get in there now, his insurance wouldn't cover me either for sometime. Maybe I'll do what someone suggested and just work around his plant or something that way I can keep my wife and I's dream alive of moving back to my home town.