| the trucking industry is desperately in need of | | | | record, it indicates that you’ve had a |
| drivers, what they are looking for is not any just | | | | questionable past with several run-ins with the law. |
| any driver who is capable of steering a powerful | | | | Most companies do not want to take the risk of |
| 18-wheeler and keeping it on the road. What | | | | finding out whether or not you have changed for |
| trucking industry is looking for are qualified drivers | | | | the better. |
| that meet certain minimum specifications; and | | | | Alcohol/Drug Charges |
| these qualifications are not restricted to just | | | | Alcohol or drug charges, especially those incurred |
| possessing a truck driver’s license earned | | | | within the past five years could seriously hamper |
| from a reputed truck-driving school. | | | | your chances of landing a job with any reputable |
| With newer and more stringent measures in place, | | | | trucking companies. Controlling 75,000 |
| it is equally important that anyone who wishes to | | | | cumbersome pounds of metal through populated |
| land a job driving trucks should have a clean | | | | towns and often crowded highways requires |
| history of driving as well as impeccable | | | | quicksilver reflexes and a clear head; something |
| employment and criminal records. Higher insurance | | | | that’s impossible if you are either an |
| rates also mean that trucking companies will give | | | | alcohol or drug abuser. |
| preference to drivers who have clean records are | | | | Traffic Violations |
| considered low-risk. | | | | Most trucking companies will accept up to two |
| Even before enrolling into any truck driving course, | | | | moving violations in the past three years; any |
| you need to make sure that you qualify in the | | | | more than that and you’ll be shown the |
| other areas. | | | | door instantly. As for reckless driving charges, |
| Misdemeanors & Felonies | | | | you should not have had any in the past five |
| Consider yourself out the running right away if | | | | years. |
| you have any felony charges against you. Post | | | | Health Concerns |
| 9-11, companies have become extra vigilant and | | | | Problems with your vision, insulin-dependant |
| trucking companies that transport materials that | | | | diabetes, hypertension or any physical handicap |
| can be used for nefarious activities will not even | | | | are some of the health problems that can have |
| consider hiring you if you have a criminal record. | | | | you eliminated from the list of potential drivers |
| And if you thought conviction for theft was minor | | | | instantly. |
| and would pose no impediment in the trucking | | | | Before enrolling in any truck driving school it is |
| business; think again! Conviction for theft is a | | | | advisable to undergo a thorough medical check up |
| major concern among trucking companies that | | | | and also to ascertain which prescription medicines |
| transport valuable freight that can easily be sold | | | | are on the long list of medications not permitted |
| on the streets. They would never risk taking a | | | | for use by a truck driver. A compulsory |
| chance with anyone who is already convicted of | | | | pre-employment drug test would reveal any |
| theft. | | | | prescription medicine that you are under and |
| Misdemeanor charges, though seemingly minor, | | | | instantly put you in the high-risk category. |
| are sure to be closely looked at. For one thing, | | | | Inflexible employment standards mean that if you |
| misdemeanor charges could very well be felony | | | | have any of these red flags against your name |
| charges that have been pleaded down. Moreover, | | | | you could very well find your self stopped in your |
| if you have more than one misdemeanor on your | | | | tracks before you even get started. |