Truck driving has always been a popular and lucrative profession choice. With the pandemic causing disruptions in the global economy, many people are looking for careers that offer job security and stability. However, if you’ve been in an accident or have a bad driving record, you may be wondering if this will prevent you from getting hired as a truck driver. In this blog post, we’ll answer this question and give you some tips on how to get a truck driving job even with a bad driving record.
You Want to Become a Truck Driver But You Have a Bad Driving Record
Becoming a truck driver is a rewarding profession that offers great opportunities, benefits, and freedom. However, it also comes with a high level of responsibility, and one of the most important aspects of this responsibility is maintaining a clean driving record or a clean motor vehicle record (MVR). A bad driving record can significantly impact your chances of getting a job, and it can even put your career in jeopardy.
What is a Bad Driving Record?
A bad driving record in trucking is considered having a history of traffic violations, accidents, and other offenses that are likely to make you a risky hire for trucking companies. Different trucking companies have different criteria when it comes to what they consider a bad driving record, but some of the most common offenses that can hurt your chances of getting hired include speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident.
Another important factor to consider is the frequency of these offenses. Even if you have only one or two violations on your record, if they are recent or serious offenses, they can still be viewed as red flags by potential employers. In addition, some companies may have their own point-based systems for evaluating driving records, which means that even minor offenses can accumulate and make you ineligible for hire.
Disqualifying Offenses
As a CDL holder, it’s important that you maintain a good driving record and ensure that your CDL is valid. Major or serious offenses involve the driver being disqualified even if he or she was driving a non commercial motor vehicle (CMV).
Major offenses require a minimum of one year disqualification such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance
- Leaving the scene of the accident
- Using the vehicle to commit a crime
- Causing a fatality through the negligent operation of a CMV
Serious offenses require a minimum disqualification of six months such as:
- Speeding (15 mph + over the speed limit)
- Driving recklessly
- Texting or using a handheld mobile phone while driving a CMV
Source: FMCSA
How to Become a Truck Driver with a Bad Driving Record?
Although you have a bad driving record it’s not impossible to find a job as a CDL driver. Many trucking companies are hiring truck drivers with a flawed record due to the shortage of CDL drivers in the industry.
Understand the Severity of Driving Offense
The first thing you need to understand is the severity of your accident. If it was a minor fender bender with no injuries and little to no damage to the vehicles involved, you may not have to worry too much. However, if the accident was severe, involved injuries, or caused a lot of damage to the truck, you may need to take additional steps before you can become a truck driver again.
Be Transparent About Your Accident
Honesty is the best policy, and this is true when it comes to your job search. Being upfront and transparent about your driving history will not only show integrity, but it will also save you from potential legal and employment problems down the road. Be prepared to share details about your accident with your potential employer, such as the cause of the accident, if you were at fault, and what steps you took to resolve the situation.
Get Re-certified
After an accident, it’s important to re-certify to regain your standing as a commercial truck driver. The Department of Transportation (DOT) requires all commercial drivers to have a commercial learner’s permit or a commercial driver’s license (CDL). You’ll need to take a skills and knowledge test to show that you still meet the standards of driving a commercial truck. Passing these tests can give you a better chance of landing a truck driving job after an accident.
Consider Starting with a Smaller Company
If you’re having trouble getting hired after an accident, consider starting with a smaller trucking company. The mom and pop trucking firms may be more willing to take a chance on you, especially if you have a clean driving record before the accident or driving offense. After gaining some experience, you can then move on to bigger trucking companies that pay for CDL and may have stricter hiring policies.
Be Persistent and Patient
Rebuilding your truck driving career after a driving offense or an accident may take some time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you receive a few rejection letters or don’t get any response from potential employers at first. Keep searching, be persistent, and eventually, you’ll find the right company that will take a chance on you.
Another option is to go on Craigslist and look for trucking jobs there. Most employers who post on Craigslist or similar platforms tend to be smaller trucking companies who don’t have the budget to use a recruiting firm, or have the reputation as the national or larger companies.
Speaking of recruiting agencies – contact them and be upfront with your MVR, the agencies will know which trucking companies that will hire drivers with a less than stellar driving history.
Conclusion
Getting a truck driving job after an accident or getting a CDL with a bad driving record is possible, but it requires some extra work and patience on your part. Be honest about your driving history, re-certify your commercial driver’s license, and consider starting with smaller companies that may be more willing to give you a chance. Remember that persistence and patience can pay off, and soon you can be back on the road and on your way to a successful career as a truck driver.
Marina was in corporate communications for over 15 years before becoming a freelance writer for TruckersTraining.com. She's been writing about transportation, and the supply chain and trucking industry for over five years. Her father was in the trucking and logging business which exposed her to the industry. Her passions include travel, nature and entrepreneurship.
