Applying For Pre-hire And Accident Question

Hello everyone, I am looking to get into trucking sometime towards end of April and I was wondering when it would be best time to start applying for pre-hires. Is it ok to start ASAP or is it better to wait till about a week or two before I can start training to start applying and calling recruiters?

I also would like to know if anyone can clarify few questions I have about the application.

1. What exactly are preventable accidents? Are they accidents that are your fault?

2. When asked on # of accidents how many years back do you have to report?

3. How many years back do you have to report for the # of tickets?

I've had 2 accidents within the last 5 years.

1. 5 years ago I was pulled a little ways out in front of my driveway parked, hooking up a trailer and my neighbor backed into the side of my truck. It was all handled by my neighbors insurance company.

2. 3 years ago got in an accident while changing lanes on a one way street with 3 lanes. Looking at the damages the guy kinda bounced off my rear tire and left few paint scrape marks on my rear fender but his corner light was busted with a small dent in his front bumper. Neither of us were in the lane fully and after some investigation by the insurance companies it was ruled as both equally at fault. I never claimed for damages since the scrape marks came off with some polish and he had to go through his own insurance for his damages.

Both accidents were never reported to the police, so do I put down 2 accidents on the application?

Thanks in advance for your help, I've been studying The High Road Online Training and reading the forums and its helping tremendously.

1. A preventable accident is an accident that a person should have been able to take action to prevent the accident. If you are found to be at fault then it is preventable accident that you cause by not taking such action.

2. I think it is 10 years but I could be wrong. Some states are 7 years. Easiest way to find out what you need to report is to get a copy of your driving record. If it is on that record, you need to report it.

3. Again, I think it is 10 years but it may only be 7. Basically, same as answer #2. Get a copy of your driving record.

As far as when to apply. Start now. It takes time. You have to call and follow up on every application. Don't expect a recruiter to call you just because you put in an application. Submit an application. 3 or 4 days later call and ask if they have received it. Ask what is the status of the application. Remember some companies will not call because they do not hire for some areas. If you are able to relocate, they may reconsider your application. Once you get letters of pre hire , do a pro and con list for each company. There is limitless options out there. Don't just jump at the first company willing to hire you. Good Luck.

FMCSA

A preventable accident is one which occurs because the driver fails to act in a reasonably expected manner to prevent it. In judging whether the driver's actions were reasonable, one seeks to determine whether the driver drove defensively and demonstrated an acceptable level of skill and knowledge. The judgment of what is reasonable can be based on a company-adopted definition, thus establishing a goal for its safety management programs.

Note that the above definition of preventable accident is focused on the actions of the driver. It is the commonly used definition in evaluating driver performance. A broader definition, which can be used to evaluate the driver's and the motor carrier's actions, is given by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations as follows: Preventable accident on the part of a motor carrier means an accident (1) that involved a commercial motor vehicle , and (2) that could have been averted but for an act, or failure to act, by the motor carrier, or the driver.

Get a copy of your driving record so you can answer the questions accurately. I've recently applied to several company's and they mostly only ask about tickets in the last 3 or 5 years.

Thanks everyone for your answers and suggestions. I ordered my driving record and it says, no violations, accidents or convictions on file. Does that mean the accidents that I was involved in 3 and 5 years ago do not have to be reported on the application? Is that the only record that I would need to worry about?

I'm looking for something near Bellingham, WA and it seems not too many companies who hire recent grads are hiring in my area. Do you suggest going directly to some of the company website(ie. Prime, swift, Knight, melton) and using their online application and calling the recruiters to see if they are hiring in my area? Thanks again in advance for all the help you guys are providing.

Thanks everyone for your answers and suggestions. I ordered my driving record and it says, no violations, accidents or convictions on file. Does that mean the accidents that I was involved in 3 and 5 years ago do not have to be reported on the application? Is that the only record that I would need to worry about?

I'm looking for something near Bellingham, WA and it seems not too many companies who hire recent grads are hiring in my area. Do you suggest going directly to some of the company website(ie. Prime, swift, Knight, melton) and using their online application and calling the recruiters to see if they are hiring in my area? Thanks again in advance for all the help you guys are providing.

Check our Gordon Trucking out of Pacific WA. They hire recent grads ! Shelly Green answered some of my questions .

Thanks everyone for your answers and suggestions. I ordered my driving record and it says, no violations, accidents or convictions on file. Does that mean the accidents that I was involved in 3 and 5 years ago do not have to be reported on the application? Is that the only record that I would need to worry about?

I'm looking for something near Bellingham, WA and it seems not too many companies who hire recent grads are hiring in my area. Do you suggest going directly to some of the company website(ie. Prime, swift, Knight, melton) and using their online application and calling the recruiters to see if they are hiring in my area? Thanks again in advance for all the help you guys are providing.

Check our Gordon Trucking out of Pacific WA. They hire recent grads ! Shelly Green answered some of my questions .

Gordon Trucking is one of my goals. I would love to get on with them in the near future but I realize I am a beginner and have to start with the basics which for me means school first so when I have completed my year I may be calling them.

Thanks everyone for your answers and suggestions. I ordered my driving record and it says, no violations, accidents or convictions on file. Does that mean the accidents that I was involved in 3 and 5 years ago do not have to be reported on the application? Is that the only record that I would need to worry about?

I'm looking for something near Bellingham, WA and it seems not too many companies who hire recent grads are hiring in my area. Do you suggest going directly to some of the company website(ie. Prime, swift, Knight, melton) and using their online application and calling the recruiters to see if they are hiring in my area? Thanks again in advance for all the help you guys are providing.

Check our Gordon Trucking out of Pacific WA. They hire recent grads ! Shelly Green answered some of my questions .

Gordon Trucking is one of my goals. I would love to get on with them in the near future but I realize I am a beginner and have to start with the basics which for me means school first so when I have completed my year I may be calling them.

Gordon hires recent grads and they send you out with a trainer as solo dispatch so if you are driving the trainer is in the passenger seat next to you ! No need to wait a year if you want to drive for them apply when you start school ! Good luck .

Do you suggest going directly to some of the company website(ie. Prime, swift, Knight, melton) and using their online application and calling the recruiters to see if they are hiring in my area?

Sung, That is exactly what I did (as well as the online application at TT) and my efforts resulted in three offers - one from Swift, one from Stevens Transport & one from Prime which I accepted. The key is to call the companies (often more than once) after you apply so you can go over the application with them on the phone. This clears up a lot of details for both you and the companies you are applying to. One note: if they are not hiring from your area (some do not hire if getting you home for hometime is an issue - maybe they don't go there or not that often if they do) see if you can use a relatives address somewhere that they are hiring from. They just need to know they can get you to a place they have normal access to. That may or may not be possible for you, I don't know. But, I will say this: there are a lot of companies out there so just keep making the effort. So far, all the recruiter I have spoken with were very helpful and willing to work with my circumstances so keep making inquiries as someone will meet with your personal needs and offer a training spot for you.

Jopa

I said Swift, but I meant Central Refer which is a part of Swift . . .

Jopa