Need Advice Getting Back Into Trucking
Topic 9868 | Page 1
I've been looking for local trucking positions for several months now with zero offers. I was discharged from Werner after three minor backing and turning incidents, none ticketed or DOT recordable, however all on my DAC , after four months of driving. I got another 8 months OTR experience with two companies before having to leave due to an illness.
James, it is going to be tough for you to find a local position with all that baggage, plus if I understand you correctly it sounds as if you've been with three different trucking companies in less than a one year period. You are averaging approximately four months duration per trucking job that you have had so far.
You are new to our forum, but one of the major pieces of advice we give to new rookie drivers is to stick it out with your first company for one full year of safe driving. That and the oft quoted advice of "Don't hit anything" will serve you well in this business. Unfortunately you have broken all our guidelines right from the start.
As you know you are going to have a tough time of it. My advice would be to try and apply to as many OTR companies as you can and just pray that one of them will give you a shot. Then if you can get a job, tighten up and hang in there for that full year of safe driving. That is going to be the ticket to some more opportunity for you, but you definitely got yourself off on the wrong foot. You can Apply For Truck Driving Jobs at that link and fill out only one application and have it sent to a bunch of different companies.
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.
James,
Don't forget to look at Craig's list. There are usually jobs posted from smaller companies there. If you are fortunate enough to find a job follow old schools advice and stick it out with one company for a year at least. Good luck!
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I've been looking for local trucking positions for several months now with zero offers. I was discharged from Werner after three minor backing and turning incidents, none ticketed or DOT recordable, however all on my DAC , after four months of driving. I got another 8 months OTR experience with two companies before having to leave due to an illness. Since then I had an at fault accident with police report but pled the ticket to a non moving violation, in my personal vehicle, so no violation on my MVR. I had a brief license suspension due to an unpaid parking ticket and no moving violations in the last five years. anyway these accidents are really hurting me. The incidents on my DAC turn 3 years in December. Are there any type of jobs I could still get? Any companies that dont run DAC reports that would only consider the one accident? Any way to word it to companies or put it onto an application? Any helpful advice is welcome.
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.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
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.