I am currently 24 years old and in the past 6 months or so I have become interested in getting my CDL and becoming a commercial driver. However, I have a couple of questions and possibly a roadblock to becoming a CDL driver that I need to inquire about from professionals. I should start with the possible roadblock (no pun intended)... I have received 2 tickets in the pasts 3 years, both for 15 over the limit. One is from 3 years ago and one is from just a little over a year ago. I also have a fender bender on the record that I was not charged for and did not receive a ticket for. These infractions were more than just an enormous mistake on my part, they were a catastrophe caused by my immaturity. I have made enormous strides in my attempts to mature in the past year and am looking to reform myself. My first question is, do I have any chance at all of finding employment with anyone in the trucking world due to these offenses? If so, what chances do i have and what might I see if I get my CDL and avoid any other infractions? Should I even bother getting my CDL at all with these stains on my record?

If there is a chance of employment for me, what course do you guys recommend that I take to get my CDL? There is a school here that offers CDL training, however it costs $4800. I would not have to take out a loan as I have the money to pay it in full right from the get-go. I have heard that one should watch out for these "CDL mills" as they have a tendency to rob you of thousands of dollars while providing inadequate and insufficient training. The school I have in mind is well known around here for being a quality school that teaches very well. They also allow you to take the course over again should you fail without charging you again. It is a well established, well respected school that has been in business for 30 years, though I still have doubts about schools because of what I've read and heard. So is there another road that I might take to get my CDL? If so, what company do you guys recommend that I try? Or is this school the best place I can go?

I know these tickets make or break a potential trucker before they even take the class to get their CDL which is why I need to know if I even have a shot at making it in this business. I have done as much as I can to reform myself and mature in the past year and I hope that this career choice can be a possibility for me. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

 

The 15 over is going to be a killer I'm afraid.

Before I would go to any school I'd call a few recruiter and ask them.

kc0iv

 

"one is from just a little over a year ago" You're dead for at least two more years. Don't even bother until your driving record is clear of ALL of the tickets. Make sure you get a hard copy of driving record so you have no surprises, and neither will a potential employer.
In the meantime, learn a real trade. BOL

 

Here in Virginia the length of time it takes for an offense to be removed from your record is 5 years

 

Ref your last, wait four more years. And while you're waiting for the time to pass, enroll in an apprenticship program (electrician, plumber, carpenter, etc.), in four years you'll have competed it, you'll have been working and learning (OJT & classroom) and EARNING, with higher pay after you've completed the apprenticeship and you'll be home every night. BOL

 

You may want to check with the DMV how long your specific infractions will show on your MVR.

Here in IL for example an under 15 mph speeding ticket shows for 3 years. A speeding ticket of over 15 mph shows for 10 years.

1 15 over in 5 years you could prob overcome, though it would reduce your employment options a bit. 2 however will be a huge obstacle.

I do agree with the others though. For your best chances you should wait until both convictions pass the 5 year mark. In the meantime, at the very least, you should work on making sure you do not get any more traffic convictions, eliminate as much debt as you can, and you might as well see about taking some courses at the local collage.