Aspiring Driver

I'm going to be boldly honest here.

I'm a single man 35 yrs old without a real work history. I worked for years doing home repair and refitting for rental properties, I've put down tile floors, interior painting, plexi-glass windows, did evictions etc... I haven't worked for a number of years due to being on SSI (alcohol issues) I didn't pay taxes when I was working for a number of issues, such as my boss not being a licensed contractor, but mostly because I was paid cash and I earned very little by working on and off anyway. I was extremely naïve about how that would limit me down the line. I have no real provable work history. I would like to get myself established in a job that pays a wage I can live on, and am considering trucking. I can swing the cost of training program like NA or all-state but I certainly can't afford to do so if I would be unable to be hired afterwards. I have spent weeks watching videos and learning as much as I can about trucking online and have found horror stories to freeze my soul, as well as inspiration.

I have addressed my personal issues (alcohol) and it isn't a problem, i've been clean for quite awhile. I have no ties to prevent me from being on the road for a month or more at a time. I am overweight but I have no reason to believe I couldn't pass a DOT physical. I've had 1 speeding ticket in my life and that was about 3 years ago. I took out a utility pole once but that was like 10 years ago, other than 1 parking fine that is the entirety of my driving record.

My largest concern is my lack of employment history. I don't want to plop down 4 or 5k on training to find out I've just thrown away all that I have. If moving forward would be a waste of time (and more importantly money) I need to know it, as well as any suggestions anyone may have that could alleviate those issues.

A more positive note, I have to say i'm sure i'm not the first person to seek a possible career of a transient lifestyle due to limited options. If my lack of work history is unacceptable then how long would I need to work as a taxed employee stocking shelves or whatnot?

If i'm just being a pie in the sky dreamer I need to know it.

You aren't in that bad of shape...alot better than others that we have helped achieve their dream of becoming a truck driver. So lets whittle it done to pieces we can chew on for a bit. You were on SSI...are you currently on it ?? That is a "work History" just recovering from an injury on SSI would be. So if you can prove you were on SSI for 3-5 years (whatever time slot they want info for), then your good to go. And there are company schools that will train you and are alot more lenient regarding work history. I personally think that they are afraid that if you don't have a verifiable work history, that you've been locked up for being Jack the Ripper...jmho..lol So if you can get documentation regarding your SSI, you can then tell the trucking company the reason you were on it, or you can honestly tell them that you were ill, since alcoholism is considered a illness, and very treatable. If your driving record is reasonably clean, AND with no DUI's, you shold slide right in. Lets get some confidence up under yourself, son !!! You can do this !! Are you a military vet ?? they have a special class thing for vets who want to be a truck driver...are you a displaced worker ?/ Then employment office can steer you into a program that will help you. I'd be hesitant on blowing all my ready cash on private school, if theres a company sponsored school that will take you. Especially if that is your only bank roll. Its always nice to keep a cushion...So explore your options, apply at whatever type of school you want to go to, and send in apps to companies that will take recent cdl school grads... Good Luck !! and keep those questions coming...we are here to help you become the best truck driver you can be...The adventure starts tomorrow @@

I agree with StarCar about not throwing your life savings into this. There are companies that will train you and give you a job after the training. You can check some of them out at Company-Sponsored Training

Also a simple letter from an acquaintance that states you were employed by such and such contractor for such and such years (contractor is now out of business) then have the letter notarized - this is acceptable to many trucking recruiters as verified work history. The D.O.T. regulations require this work history thing to be on file so these trucking companies have to have something. Fortunately some of them are creative about coming up with it.

Check out that link I gave you, it will save you some money, provide you with good training, and land you a job a ,all without any up front cash. You will probably have to commit to one year of employment with them, but we would advise you to do that anyway just to get yourself established in your new career.

The original poster was honest in his post I am going to be honest too.....

no company is going to take a chance with you right now. as you have stated, you have no verifiable work history (no W2s). You have a crappy driving record and on top of everything you mentioned alcoholism.

driving a truck is dangerous- dangerous to yourself and other people traveling around you. There is no company out there right now that will take a chance with you based on liability issues alone. Ask yourself why would a company choose you when they can choose from hundreds of others with a clean driving record, verifiable employment, and no alcoholism?

if you even want a chance at professional driving:

1)establish a verifiable work history of 3+ years 2)no alcohol or drugs allowed PERIOD 3)get yourself in physical shape 4)establish a clean driving record

It amazes me how many people with alcohol/drug issues and bad driving records want to break into professional driving.

The original poster was honest in his post I am going to be honest too.....

no company is going to take a chance with you right now. as you have stated, you have no verifiable work history (no W2s). You have a crappy driving record and on top of everything you mentioned alcoholism.

driving a truck is dangerous- dangerous to yourself and other people traveling around you. There is no company out there right now that will take a chance with you based on liability issues alone. Ask yourself why would a company choose you when they can choose from hundreds of others with a clean driving record, verifiable employment, and no alcoholism?

if you even want a chance at professional driving:

1)establish a verifiable work history of 3+ years 2)no alcohol or drugs allowed PERIOD 3)get yourself in physical shape 4)establish a clean driving record

It amazes me how many people with alcohol/drug issues and bad driving records want to break into professional driving.

Funny. Because we all disagree with you.

If he takes Starcars advice he will easily get in. He was an alcoholic, but not anymore so that doesn't matter. He had no DUIs. He's not a reckless wreck like you are trying to make him sound.

Jhon C., I don't know what planet you're living on but you need to come down here on earth and take a look at some of our truck drivers. There are plenty of overweight drivers, and quite a few with sketchy backgrounds. The ones that get hired.in tis situation are the ones that are totally honest with their recruiters. Here's someone who sought our helpful advice not our vitriolic scorn.

Shame on you!

Ok, Im going to do my best to avoid an arguement.

first off tel me what company would take him? I know of no company, and I mean NO COMPANY that would take him on right now. Maybe Brett can chime in and support what Im saying.

as far as his driving record, 'taking out a utility pole' isnt exactly a minor accident.

alcoholism- once an alcoholic always an alcoholic. You can stop drinking for 20+ years. Your still an alcoholic. People dont change, the inner personality of a person always stays the same- and the inner persona will always manifest sooner or later. That means they will start drinking again.

So all things being equal between 2 potential hires, why choose someone with alcholsim in his/her past vs someone who is and has been clean?

Ok, I'm going to be civil so we can have this discussion. The trucking companies only need three years of a goo driving record. Eve an elite company like TMC told me personally if you have any serious violations prior to three years don't even put it on the application because we will not look back that far. He told us that pole incident was ten years old.

Also I know of absolutely no DOT regulations that prohibit anyone from driving who had a history of alcoholism. Now driving drunk is completely a different story.

Sometimes people work hard to improve themselves, and we will support them if e think they have a shot.

Jhon, I'll concede that your advice about establishing a verifiable work history is good solid advice, and something I would say he should do if some of our first recommendations didn't help him get started.

This person has hurdles to get over, but he acknowledges them. That is the beginning of success.

I still remember one person coming through here with nine felonies, and he was still able to get a job in trucking. Imagine that!

Well...after I went outside and shot a tree til it fell, to get ahold of my "anger issue"....I'll politely address Jhon.... I would really like to know where you get your verdict on alcohol and abuse there of. I, at one time in my life, drank a pint of vodka before I even got out of bed in the morning, and I usually emptied a 5th thru the rest of the day. I worked a regular job, with long hours. I have never had a DUI...was I drunk sometimes when I drove?? You betcha..but I was also lucky. I was a child of the 60's, if there was a drug out there, I probably took it, and alot of them more than once. Am I a drug addict ?? No. The only thing in my many years of living that I haven't gotten control of is my temper. Blame my heritage on that one. But your belief that once a person lets alcohol control them, they will forever be an alcoholic, and will someday "slip" and start drinking again, is totally UNFOUNDED. If it were true, I'd be a raging alcoholic, and a drug user to boot. What makes the difference?? CONTROL. When you learn what the demons are, and you learn to control them, you have won. For you to come on this forum, and systematically tear down a person and the things they want in life is inexcusable. You may be used to all those other sites where you can flame others, use foul language, and hide behind your computer with a smirk on your face. But not on this site. We are here to HELP any and all who have a dream to become a truck driver. If they need a reality check, we give them one, in a brotherly fashion. If they need a hand up, we do all we can do. Because honestly, 90% of us have been in their shoes. Unless you can qualify your remarks, don't spout them, because someone here will probably know a little more than you...No one knows it all. Tho I see there are some who think they do.

As far as I can tell, from meetings with recruiters for trucking companies, they are only concerned about your criminal and driving history, and what endorsements you get on your CDL (then how you perform from there). The rest of your past is your personal business (keep it to yourself). They basically want to know if you can drive their truck, so if your public records do not disqualify that, then it is really up to you. They are not going to go talk to your kindergarten teacher, okay?