Driving Record Over 13 Years Ago!

Hello Everyone!

I am just starting my schooling for my CDL and thought I would get a pre hire letter today.

Need help and info. I had a hit skip over 13 years ago (hit a parked car on my street then walked home). Also, I did not take a breath or blood test at the time. No DUI. Fine was $332.00 and not even a speeding ticket since. I spoke with CRST today and they will not hire me. IF I would have had a DUI over 5 years ago I would be fine he said. But refusing to test over 13 years ago and I can't get a job?

Is there other companies that use common sense in this matter? 2 DUI's are OK as long as you don't have 3.

Please help with ideas etc. One person suggested that I get my record sealed/expunged for $100 at the local court house. I think I am going to pay it to get it done but it just seems like there is something wrong with the logic.

Thank you for your help and advice in this,

Stacy

CRST musta thought you are some kinda major criminal...silly rule. BUT....theres LOTS of companies out there that won't care about 13 years ago...so keep putting in those apps...you'll find a match. We were with CRST for quite a few years O/O's...I wasn't impressed about the last year or so...

Is there other companies that use common sense in this matter? 2 DUI's are OK as long as you don't have 3.

I'm a little confused about that statement. I understand the charger you're referring to from 13 years ago. But that statement - you're not saying you have 2 DUI's, correct?

Some companies have a policy not to hire anyone who has ever had a DUI so there's nothing you can do about those. But a lot of companies will still consider you, especially since that charge was 13 years ago.

As far as getting that expunged from your record for $100, definitely do that.

We've had discussions about getting records expunged before and to be honest I'm not 100% certain about it. If it works as it seems like it should, getting something expunged should mean that it's deleted as if it never happened and nobody can find out about it. Unfortunately I'm not sure if that's the case or not, and I think expungement is handled differently in different states.

The ultimate question is "If they ask me on my application if I've ever had alcohol or drug related charges and that charge was expunged from my record, can I safely say I've never had a charge?" The answer should be "yes, you can safely say you've never been charged."

But trucking companies have amazing resources when it comes to doing background checks and I don't know how they will deal with it if they were to find out you were indeed charged but it was expunged. I wish I could give you a black and white answer about exactly how to handle it, but I'm not sure there is one.

But there will definitely be plenty of companies that will ignore that charge altogether simply because it was so long ago. The only thing to do is apply like crazy to different companies and see what they say.

What is your schooling situation? Have you decided upon a school yet? Do you know if you're interested in Private Truck Driving Schools or Company-Sponsored Training Programs?

Hi Bret,

I do not have any DUI's ever and not even ticket since the accident 13 years ago. The hit skit as I mentioned (the parked car 5 houses from mine) and I did not take a breath test when asked (thinking I was innocent until proven guilty etc. WRONG on my part)

I just think it's strange for a company to not hire because you failed to take a breath test even when not found guilty afterwards over 13 years ago. But the same company will hire you if you have up to 2 DUI's as long as they are over 5 years old.

I am going to pay the $100 to remove it from my record and then I can say "I never had a ticket of any kind"

Thanks for your insight. I love this site and think it's a great resource for anyone interested in trucking.

I just think it's strange for a company to not hire because you failed to take a breath test even when not found guilty afterwards over 13 years ago. But the same company will hire you if you have up to 2 DUI's as long as they are over 5 years old.

I totally agree. You find a ton of oddities like that in trucking. A couple reasons:

1) Insurance companies set most of the policies and requirements that the trucking companies must follow in order to keep their insurance costs down

2) Most of the people making decisions, creating laws, and enforcing laws in the trucking industry have absolutely no experience driving a truck. Even most of the people in management at trucking companies have little or no driving experience. So most of the time they're basically making their best guess about pretty much everything and it's painfully obvious. It drives you nuts sometimes.

You might want to call them back and speak with a different recruiter because that really doesn't make any sense. Sometimes recruiters are either misinformed or simply misunderstand certain company policies. It's not uncommon. But either way I don't think you'll have much trouble getting around that incident whether you have it expunged or not.

Really glad you're enjoying the site!!

Here is the thing that was not mentioned and almost every company goes by it.......the question is...."Have you every refused to take a drug/alcohol test?".... And yes not going to take one is the same as refusing to take one. Its an insurance type of question. In the companies eyes they are wondering what you were trying to hide by not taking the test.

Sad thing is most companies have a policy that if a drug/alcohol test is not taken or refused EVER in your life then most will not look at you. A positive test is better than a refusal.

Not sure where you are as I did not look but most times to get a record sealed it requires a lawyer since it has to go before the judge for approval and I would say that would be way more than $100.

Thanks for the replies,

I am not worried about it anymore. I am getting it sealed/removed etc.

Already accepted by PRIME for starters. This is after they looked at my MVR and Criminal history. $600 week to train then .41 mile while I get my first 6 months experience in but would try to stay a year if I start with them. A little worried about the eco 49 and the smaller cabin to sleep in but only for a year tour if I go there.

I am applying with Maverick, Celadon, Roehl, Knight, Stevens and Central to keep my options open. My goal is to get the best training I can and work 1 year doing whatever I need to do for experience then after I know more about what I like and don't like I can look for a regional or local company that pays good and has home time etc.

I would really like to hear which companies may be best for me based on what you know.

Thanks again