You'll find that your choices will always be limited to an extent. There are companies out here that will not take you if you have EVER had a drug conviction of any kind. It can be 30 years old, and the answer will still be NO. One of the places you can look is on the company listings here on CAD. Many of them have info about DUI and drug charges. 5 years, 10 years, and never any... I believe it also means you will never have to worry about getting a passport for Canada.

 

I was in the same boat as you were except I was charged with a misdemeanor for possesion of the sticky icky. Spent a couple hours in a cell, had to get bailed out, had to go to court, and was ordered to attend 4 sessions of "Rehab".
I did all I had to do, and that was the end of that. This happend when I was 18.

I got my CDL from a private school and I looked for local work all over the place for 5 months. Nobody would hire me because I didnt have the 2 years experience most companies require.
So I had no other choice than to try to get with one of the bigger outfits and do OTR to get that dang experience.
My first choice was Swift but they wouldnt even take me serious because of that weed I was arrested for 6 years earlier so I then gave Scheneider a call. They told me enough time had passed since the arrest and that I would have to go through their training.
I went through the training in Green Bay, WI. Went out with the T.E for ten days, passed my final driving exam, and was finally issued my own truck. I've been driving now on my own for about 3 and a half months and for the most part im loving it out here. I love the company, but I detest the piece of schmit trucks they have us in.
Im 25 years old and I just want to tell you that I am no where near the same person I was when I was 18. I did a lot of things I could have done without but I have matured since then. This industry is strict and everybody is watching you.
Theres no room or tolerance for weed here.
Notice I say weed and not drugs because you can smoke a joint one day and drop dirty for a month, but on the other hand you can take an eightball to the face and be clean in 2 days. And there are drivers out here who use coke, I know that for sure.
Be careful if this is what you really want to get into. If you test dirty thats it for you and your carreer as a driver.
Now your gonna get guys like Snowman7, and Orangetxguy on here trying to make you feel like this industry is never going to accept you, and they will try to make you feel like your the scum of the earth just because you used to take a few bong hits or smoke some blunts, but dont let them knock you. These are those type of people who think people smoke weed because they dont feel good about themselves or because they have self esteem issues or psychological problems. I feel bad for them if they never at least one time in their life took a toke. Probably never had friends and lived very sheltered lives. Who knows?
It will be hard for you to find a job with a trucking company seeing as how your ticket is not that old, but dont lose faith, and dont start smoking again.
Persistance pays off.
Best of luck to you, God bless.

 

Most carriers won't touch a drug conviction for at least 5 years. Many will want 7-10 years to pass. If a carrier is willing to give you a chance I would grab it. Hopefully, your drug days are behind you. It is difficult to get away with taking drugs these days. Some do hair testing along with urine tests. Some drugs stay in your hair for several months. If you still take drugs I would stay away from this business. Most have no tolerance for those who use drugs.

 

Spaceage I may have thrown 1 or 2 darts in the past but I dont think I'm what you'd call a repeat offender.

And I am very familiar with drug and alcohol abuse on a very personal level, multiple family members, but not me.

I will admit to having a strong sarcastic streak but I can also be pretty compassionate. Depends on how much a person owns up to their mistake. And I won't help anyone who won't help themself.:moon:

Anyway, to the OP. Living in Middletown is a good spot for steelhauling. I'm sure you've seen all the covered wagons around town. I know PI&I, Falcon, and Valley Transportation hire newbies. Steel is just an OK job. You either like it or hate it. But you will get plenty of home time because of where you live, including every weekend. It's no worse than Trans Am and if you dont mind a little physical labor I think its better because you'll probably make a little more money and be home more often. If these places can hire you, and you are interested, I can answer alot more questions for you. Valley is where I started at. Good luck.

 

The testing positive for taking a few puffs off a joint once in awhile is B.S. if you only take a few puffs off a joint on rare occasion it will not show... And once in awhile would be limited to maybe 1x monthly ,and does not mean killing a blunt it means a few puffs of joint like 5 ...I've put this theory to practice ,so when a person claims they almost never smoke and a couple days b4 a drug test took a few puffs of a joint and failed ...I just laugh B/C it's B.S.

 

And the only reckless driving tickets I ever got were when i had JUST come out of a movie like "Gone in 60 seconds" or "Fast and the Furious". ( i actually never have had that kind of ticket...just goofing)
Even if you've only smoked for a day in your life, you might as well have been doing it weekly. Cause to me, once you've done it, you've done it. Getting caught? it happens.

My question is, why wouldn't you atleast ask around, or get information on it before starting down this road? School will be more than happy to take your money, but if you cannot find one company who will look past a bad choice, whats the point?? You'll still have that on your record, and you will be stuck with the tuition bill.

I've found, just be honest. If you are clear and up front, you're better off than trying to hide anything.

 

I've heard that you can make some good money hauling REEFERs around the country!!...... and your record shouldn't be a problem!!

:smokin: :smokin: :smokin: :smokin:

 

Thanks, do you have any numbers and info for these companies??

 

I can agree with that, Yes I've smoked pot but no I'm not a pot head.. haven't smoked in about 2 years .. My brother has been driving for like 10 years and had same ticket but that was also 10 years ago. I have spent my adult life working at local speed shops for ****y pay. I am 23 bout to be 24 and I just thought it was time to do something with my life. I didn't and still don't want to be that 30 something year old guy working for dirt and not being able to support himself or a family. Just want to make a good life for myself and driving is something I can see myself doing and enjoying it as well. I don't want to spend my life in a factory just so I can make good money. Not me, I don't want to become some zombie punching in and out for 30 years so I can retire. Atleast I can see more of this country on the road and not look at a machine in a hot building all day. Don't want alot and don't ask for alot, I just want to start a career that I can enjoy and make a good life for myself while doing so.

 

lol no thanks