Will 1 Accident Affect My Eligibility?!
Topic 29321 | Page 1
Hi,so I’ve been driving with a company for 3 months first gig,still wet behind the ears.. my question is how tough will it be to get hired somewhere else with one minor preventable accident on my DAC report? Pulled inside shipper(right lane) bobtailing at time and semi (left lane) came a bit too close to my left mirror,to avoid the mirror to mirror collision I moved further over to the right. my right mirror on passenger side hit pole attached to gate.. only damage was a cracked westcoast mirror.. at the time I thought it was more important to report it then to just simply get it fixed on my own Like I said still a rookie.. now it’s on my DAC for 7yrs. Do I have any chance a being hired anywhere else?? Also I’m still at former company just really looking to get somewhere local within 7months..but now I’m worried that I won’t be able too!
As long as there isn't a pattern, most companies understand that there are going to be 1-2 accidents that first year. Its how you handle it.
I'm more concerned that you left your company and are looking around already if you have only been driving 3 months though. I'm assuming they didn't fire you for that accident, so what happened? Weak work history is going to be a bigger hurdle for you getting on with a good carrier than a mirror strike during your first year on the road.
Bobtail:
"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Sorry - I missed your last line. Going local that early might be tough - local is all backing, docking for the most part. Granted some modalities are different, but local drivers need to be just as good going backwards as forwards. Again, a minor ding shouldn't hurt you at all, just don't start racking them up! And lots of drivers are going to be applying for the local position, so be prepared for that. Apply a lot of places, because 6-12 months of experience + 1 accident rarely will be the top of the application pile. However, every places is different, so I wish you only the best!
Welcome aboard Myocia!
It's a minor accident. You did the right thing by reporting it. I wouldn't worry about the negative effects of it being on your DAC report. It may not even get put on your DAC.
I'm with Jrod. Jumping ship at three months is going to look worse than minor incident like a mirror strike. Jumping ship early on is just not a good thing for your career. Do you think you can stay for one full year? That's one of the smartest things you can do for your trucking career at this point.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Thanks for the feedback! Greatly appreciated!
Sorry - I missed your last line. Going local that early might be tough - local is all backing, docking for the most part. Granted some modalities are different, but local drivers need to be just as good going backwards as forwards. Again, a minor ding shouldn't hurt you at all, just don't start racking them up! And lots of drivers are going to be applying for the local position, so be prepared for that. Apply a lot of places, because 6-12 months of experience + 1 accident rarely will be the top of the application pile. However, every places is different, so I wish you only the best!
Not planning on jumping ship so soon I stated that I’m still at my current job and will be for another 7months or so to gain more otr experience.. was just concerned about that hiccup..I know how serious.. trucking companies take accidents,but I know some experienced drivers would be able to give me the right advice and assurance.. ps thanks for response!
Welcome aboard Myocia!
It's a minor accident. You did the right thing by reporting it. I wouldn't worry about the negative effects of it being on your DAC report. It may not even get put on your DAC.
I'm with Jrod. Jumping ship at three months is going to look worse than minor incident like a mirror strike. Jumping ship early on is just not a good thing for your career. Do you think you can stay for one full year? That's one of the smartest things you can do for your trucking career at this point.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
I don’t think that’s going to be on your dac report. And if it is I truly believe the person who put it there worships the devil.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
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Hi,so I’ve been driving with a company for 3 months first gig,still wet behind the ears.. my question is how tough will it be to get hired somewhere else with one minor preventable accident on my DAC report? Pulled inside shipper(right lane) bobtailing at time and semi (left lane) came a bit too close to my left mirror,to avoid the mirror to mirror collision I moved further over to the right. my right mirror on passenger side hit pole attached to gate.. only damage was a cracked westcoast mirror.. at the time I thought it was more important to report it then to just simply get it fixed on my own Like I said still a rookie.. now it’s on my DAC for 7yrs. Do I have any chance a being hired anywhere else?? Also I’m still at former company just really looking to get somewhere local within 7months..but now I’m worried that I won’t be able too!
Bobtail:
"Bobtailing" means you are driving a tractor without a trailer attached.
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.