Best Way To Start A Trucking Career After A Suspended License
Topic 17952 | Page 1
You didn't specify why your license was suspended. I'm pretty sure that's a critical piece of information in your situation. Help us out here. I think we can help you, but not without a little more information. Something important is missing here.
You need to call some companies and get pre-hire letter's. That is going to determine if you're hireable. I have experienced that the most want 3-5 yrs clean driving record. Hope that helps.
Ok so i had a car wreck about 10 years ago. My license was suspended until i recently got it back. I want to get in to truck driving and start making a better life for my family. I haven't had any tickets in 5 years and i dont have to carry SR- 22 on my insurance. Is there anyway for to go to school and start driving soon or do i have to wait? Or are there some companies out there that would be willing to work with me?
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
My license was suspended because i had a wreck without insurance and had to work out a payment arrangement with the insurance company so they would release my license.
You said you got it back "recently" but no tickets in five years. So when did u get it back? Did you not get tickets cause it was suspended or were you driving illegally but didn't get tickets and you are proud of that?/haha sorry
We need some info
When u got it back will make a difference
I got my license back about a month ago. I didnt have any tickets because i wasnt driving!
You said you got it back "recently" but no tickets in five years. So when did u get it back? Did you not get tickets cause it was suspended or were you driving illegally but didn't get tickets and you are proud of that?/haha sorry
We need some info
When u got it back will make a difference
You may run into the issue that most companies will want at least a year of having an active license. Again, put your application out. See if there are any takers as you are now.
Also there is a lot of good material for you to study.
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road Training Program
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
So your license got suspended 10 years ago - for an accident in which you didn't have insurance, and was re-instated a month ago, because you finished paying off your financial responsibility for the accident? When was the suspension ACTUALLY CLEARED?
If you haven't held a license for a decade - companies may want to see 1 year of "regular drivers license", before considering a hire. Or at least a little time with you back behind at least 4 wheels.
This is usually a prerequisite for issuing a CDL/CLP - if you've never held ANY license before. I'm not sure how states would handle issuing a CDL/CLP to someone coming off a decade-long suspension. Perhaps a call/visit to your local DMV - to verify whether the state considers you eligible to hold a CDL.
If you ARE eligible for a CDL/CLP - apply away. Be honest about your suspension. Not driving for the last decade (and not getting any tickets) may actually work in our favor. Not disregarding your suspension and NOT getting caught "driving while license suspended" - also works in your favor.
Rick
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
I can actually speak from current experience. I recently got my license reinstated in July. Prior to that it was suspended for 3 years. Mine was a different scenario (unpaid traffic fine). I didn't have my own vehicle so at the time, I figured it could wait. It actually really harmed me in choosing a company. I called every starter company I could find. Probably all 20 of the largest carriers. Also I had a misdemeanor theft charge about 8 years ago so I don't know if that effected any of their decisions. With my income I found I would have to attend a company sponsored school, which also reduced my options. In the end with the one charge and the limited time my license has been reinstated as well as the fact I needed company sponsored school, Swift was the only one that would take me. I now have everything set and will be starting their school on the 30th. Sometimes you just have to look at all options, even if they are not your first choice. Once you have your year or two experience, more companies will be willing to overlook your past mistakes. Hope I was able to help you.
Also if you need my recruiters info, I will give it to you. He fought hard on my behalf to make it happen and he probably will do it for you too. Just please do not ask for my info. I do not want to receive a penny for helping my fellow man start a career that will further their future.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
My guess will be that you have to wait at least a year. Stating "no tickets in the last five years" is a little deceptive. It implies you were driving but did not receive tickets which wasn't the case. Your driving privilege was revoked and therefore you were not able to accumulate tickets. Big difference.
Kinda like a bank robber saying "I haven't robbed a bank into ten years" then finding out he was in prison all that time. How could he?
Sounds like you are going to have to prove your driving abilit by keeping a clean record.. Plus...if you haven't driven a car in that long...how comfortable or safe could you be driving a big rig? I'd think long and hard about this.
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Ok so i had a car wreck about 10 years ago. My license was suspended until i recently got it back. I want to get in to truck driving and start making a better life for my family. I haven't had any tickets in 5 years and i dont have to carry SR- 22 on my insurance. Is there anyway for to go to school and start driving soon or do i have to wait? Or are there some companies out there that would be willing to work with me?