Career Changing From IT To Trucking - Need Advice For MVR Issues...maybe

Hello all. So, this is my first post, but I am not going to go on a ramble, but.....I do know there are a lot of veteran drivers and recruiters on here that might be able to help out. So here is the Cliff's Notes version...

Was a high school teacher/football coach for 13 years, college for 2. Got burned out with the teaching and career changed in 2012 to IT. When COVID hit, I lost my job here in KC as the company I work for in a specific industry went straight to zero revenue. Problem I have is that my market is now flooded with Computer Science guys that companies can get at my cost. So 25-27 an hour vs 40 an hour. Suddenly, I am down the bench some.

With that being said....my uncle has done hauling his whole life down south. Trucking is nothing that is foreign to me, so this is not going to be something I am just getting into because of and think it is easy. I know it is far from easy, but that is part of the want to do it. It is honest.

So to my point.

I applied for a grant, and I am going to start week two tomorrow in CDL school. I noticed my MVR.

I have been squeaky clean my whole life until March 2019. Since then I have 3, yes 3 speeding tickets for 20 over (3/19) 16 over (6/19) and 19 over (3/20) over. Please, do not lecture me about safety, how I should not consider this industry, etc. Save it, Please. I know it was dumb. There are some circumstances on two of them that led me to speed that still does not justify, so I won't even get into it.

So three tickets. I have hired an attorney to get one removed (20 over in March 2019) and it should be off 2-3 weeks. Also, I paid the one from 3/2020, but contacted the local out in central Missouri this past weel. I have asked to have my guilty plea withdrawn and why. The clerk lady was very nice and said usually is not an issue. At that point (should be this week) they will withdraw my guilty plea, I can then get with the prosecutor there and negotiate it to a non-moving violation, pay the probable higher fine. So....if all goes well...by the end of July I should have this down to the one 16 MPH on my MVR.

Here is my question.....

Assuming the worst case....those do not come off. What companies will hire with speeding tickets? I know there are some that are loose with some things like felonies, etc...but I am just looking for some direction on who to look at.

I have heard PAM, Swift (which I refuse to go there), Schneider, Western Express, and a couple of others hire in my case.

Can some of you point me in the right direction?

Look....this is a lesson learned on this. I just need to know if this is a gigantic waste of time. I mean, I am going to complete the CDL course and get my CDL...would be dumb not to...but I really don't want to wait 21 months to start driving after my 3/2019 drops if the lawyer cannot get it dropped, then have to do a refresher.

Thank you all so much for your time and help. I really appreciate it a ton! Happy 4th weekend! Everyone stay safe!

You'd best get those tickets resolved BEFORE you obtain your CDL. From what I read when I was dealing with a licensing issue it is illegal at the federal level to change a CDL drivers traffic offense to a non moving violation. Rob D has posted in other places here about his experiences dealing with traffic court in Missouri so hopefully he can chime in when he has time. I'm not sure if a pre-CDL ticket counts, but as a CDL holder if you get 2 speeding tickets over 15 mph (RECKLESS DRIVING) in a 3 year period you will be disqualified from driving for a minimum of 60 days.

You will hear quite a few companies tell you no even if you get 2 of them knocked down, just keep applying. We've had a few members here that had trouble getting hired at their first company and went on to have a very successful career. You can save time and use this link to Apply For Truck Driving Jobs after the matters are resolved. I can almost guarantee nobody will hire you with 3 tickets that severe so recent. Fill out one application and it'll send you information to numerous different companies. All it takes is one yes. Good luck.

One other thing....why do you refuse to go to Swift? Ignore all the trash you've heard about them they're a very solid place to get started and make a career. One of our highly respected Moderators, G-town, began his career there I believe 6 years ago and is now considered a top tier driver. He could go anywhere he wanted and has stayed at Swift. He drives on a dedicated account for Walmart. Answer me this. If Swift was as bad as the internet would lead you to believe why would a highly successful company like Walmart risk their brand? The trucks have Swifts name on it but the trailers are a giant rolling billboard for Walmart.

Given your record you're not exactly in a position to pick and choose. If you get an offer for anyone you best take it and prove yourself to be a safe, productive driver for atleast a year, preferably until your tickets fall off your MVR , and then you'll be in a great position to be picky. We have members that got their start at the companies you hear so much negativity about that moved on to what fit them better. We have even more that have stayed at these "terrible" companies that are making over $70k a year!

Hello all. So, this is my first post, but I am not going to go on a ramble, but.....I do know there are a lot of veteran drivers and recruiters on here that might be able to help out. So here is the Cliff's Notes version...

Was a high school teacher/football coach for 13 years, college for 2. Got burned out with the teaching and career changed in 2012 to IT. When COVID hit, I lost my job here in KC as the company I work for in a specific industry went straight to zero revenue. Problem I have is that my market is now flooded with Computer Science guys that companies can get at my cost. So 25-27 an hour vs 40 an hour. Suddenly, I am down the bench some.

With that being said....my uncle has done hauling his whole life down south. Trucking is nothing that is foreign to me, so this is not going to be something I am just getting into because of and think it is easy. I know it is far from easy, but that is part of the want to do it. It is honest.

So to my point.

I applied for a grant, and I am going to start week two tomorrow in CDL school. I noticed my MVR.

I have been squeaky clean my whole life until March 2019. Since then I have 3, yes 3 speeding tickets for 20 over (3/19) 16 over (6/19) and 19 over (3/20) over. Please, do not lecture me about safety, how I should not consider this industry, etc. Save it, Please. I know it was dumb. There are some circumstances on two of them that led me to speed that still does not justify, so I won't even get into it.

So three tickets. I have hired an attorney to get one removed (20 over in March 2019) and it should be off 2-3 weeks. Also, I paid the one from 3/2020, but contacted the local out in central Missouri this past weel. I have asked to have my guilty plea withdrawn and why. The clerk lady was very nice and said usually is not an issue. At that point (should be this week) they will withdraw my guilty plea, I can then get with the prosecutor there and negotiate it to a non-moving violation, pay the probable higher fine. So....if all goes well...by the end of July I should have this down to the one 16 MPH on my MVR.

Here is my question.....

Assuming the worst case....those do not come off. What companies will hire with speeding tickets? I know there are some that are loose with some things like felonies, etc...but I am just looking for some direction on who to look at.

I have heard PAM, Swift (which I refuse to go there), Schneider, Western Express, and a couple of others hire in my case.

Can some of you point me in the right direction?

Look....this is a lesson learned on this. I just need to know if this is a gigantic waste of time. I mean, I am going to complete the CDL course and get my CDL...would be dumb not to...but I really don't want to wait 21 months to start driving after my 3/2019 drops if the lawyer cannot get it dropped, then have to do a refresher.

Thank you all so much for your time and help. I really appreciate it a ton! Happy 4th weekend! Everyone stay safe!

Doesn't matter what your past is, three tickets 15 over in such a short period of time is the kiss of death. Pray your attorney can get two or all reduced.

Continue with your training. You might be able to go local

Hello all. So, this is my first post, but I am not going to go on a ramble, but.....I do know there are a lot of veteran drivers and recruiters on here that might be able to help out. So here is the Cliff's Notes version...

Was a high school teacher/football coach for 13 years, college for 2. Got burned out with the teaching and career changed in 2012 to IT. When COVID hit, I lost my job here in KC as the company I work for in a specific industry went straight to zero revenue. Problem I have is that my market is now flooded with Computer Science guys that companies can get at my cost. So 25-27 an hour vs 40 an hour. Suddenly, I am down the bench some.

With that being said....my uncle has done hauling his whole life down south. Trucking is nothing that is foreign to me, so this is not going to be something I am just getting into because of and think it is easy. I know it is far from easy, but that is part of the want to do it. It is honest.

So to my point.

I applied for a grant, and I am going to start week two tomorrow in CDL school. I noticed my MVR.

I have been squeaky clean my whole life until March 2019. Since then I have 3, yes 3 speeding tickets for 20 over (3/19) 16 over (6/19) and 19 over (3/20) over. Please, do not lecture me about safety, how I should not consider this industry, etc. Save it, Please. I know it was dumb. There are some circumstances on two of them that led me to speed that still does not justify, so I won't even get into it.

So three tickets. I have hired an attorney to get one removed (20 over in March 2019) and it should be off 2-3 weeks. Also, I paid the one from 3/2020, but contacted the local out in central Missouri this past weel. I have asked to have my guilty plea withdrawn and why. The clerk lady was very nice and said usually is not an issue. At that point (should be this week) they will withdraw my guilty plea, I can then get with the prosecutor there and negotiate it to a non-moving violation, pay the probable higher fine. So....if all goes well...by the end of July I should have this down to the one 16 MPH on my MVR.

Here is my question.....

Assuming the worst case....those do not come off. What companies will hire with speeding tickets? I know there are some that are loose with some things like felonies, etc...but I am just looking for some direction on who to look at.

I have heard PAM, Swift (which I refuse to go there), Schneider, Western Express, and a couple of others hire in my case.

Can some of you point me in the right direction?

Look....this is a lesson learned on this. I just need to know if this is a gigantic waste of time. I mean, I am going to complete the CDL course and get my CDL...would be dumb not to...but I really don't want to wait 21 months to start driving after my 3/2019 drops if the lawyer cannot get it dropped, then have to do a refresher.

Thank you all so much for your time and help. I really appreciate it a ton! Happy 4th weekend! Everyone stay safe!

Doesn't matter what your past is, three tickets 15 over in such a short period of time is the kiss of death. Pray your attorney can get two or all reduced.

Continue with your training. You might be able to go local

You'd best get those tickets resolved BEFORE you obtain your CDL. From what I read when I was dealing with a licensing issue it is illegal at the federal level to change a CDL drivers traffic offense to a non moving violation. Rob D has posted in other places here about his experiences dealing with traffic court in Missouri so hopefully he can chime in when he has time. I'm not sure if a pre-CDL ticket counts, but as a CDL holder if you get 2 speeding tickets over 15 mph (RECKLESS DRIVING) in a 3 year period you will be disqualified from driving for a minimum of 60 days.

You will hear quite a few companies tell you no even if you get 2 of them knocked down, just keep applying. We've had a few members here that had trouble getting hired at their first company and went on to have a very successful career. You can save time and use this link to Apply For Truck Driving Jobs after the matters are resolved. I can almost guarantee nobody will hire you with 3 tickets that severe so recent. Fill out one application and it'll send you information to numerous different companies. All it takes is one yes. Good luck.

I appreciate your help. They are non-CDL but I get what you are saying. I will wait and see how this plead change with one and the attorney with the other works out before I take my scores (will test on 7/24) to the DMV.

You are right too. I was going off what I hear about Swift. I am in NO spot to be overly picky and the fact of the matter is too Rob is that even if the lawyer cannot get the oldest off and I can get this last one pleaded off, if I can get a shot with someone, they will drop in 3 years. It is nothing, then THEN I can be more picky.

I appreciate your feedback. Means a lot.

Get all three reduced. Speeding 15 mph over is reckless driving. Accidents and tickets make one hard to hire. There are many MO based companies. Good luck.

We highly recommend Paid CDL Training Programs. You are usually hired unless you hide something.

Just something to consider, it seems like you are leaving IT because you don’t want to take a pay cut. If that is correct, I would encourage you to reconsider. I have been in your shoes. I worked in IT for 5 years when the company I was with shut down my facility. Due to the fact that where I live, IT jobs are few and far between and trucking is dominate, I went to trucking. Drove for a full year (OTR and dedicated) when I was contacted by a recruiter about an IT job close to home. I took a chance at it and am back working in IT (making more than when I was driving). I can assure you, if your pay cut is only to $25 to $30 an hour DO IT! You most likely will not be making that much trucking. During my time driving, my checks were usually between $500 to $600 a week after taxes and benefits. The most I got when all the stars aligned was about $1200 but that was very VERY rare (and was because of how my miles landed that week). Plus being paid by the mile causes checks to vary a lot. In a 40 hour a week job, that’s about $17 an hour but trucking is a 70 hour a week job (you do the math). I’m not putting down on trucking by any means because I very well may be back driving at some point as I really enjoyed driving. I was just offered more money to be home every night with the fam so was a no brainer for me. I Just wanted to make sure you can make the best possible decision for yourself and have the info needed. I mean if you have the option of taking a job at say a min of $25 an hour, it will most likely pay more than you will make driving (from my experience). Now, if your in an area like me and there are no decent paying jobs near by, by all means truck it up brother. Just something to consider before taking that leap because once you do, it’s very hard to do interviews when your constantly out of town if you decided you want to go back to IT.

One final note, if you do not have a wife or kids and are in it for the adventure (and not the money) then by all means go for it. Just wanted to bring the financial aspect of it to the light.