The qualifications for entry into a truck driver training program will be the same as those for truck driving schools. There may be a couple of little differences from trucking company to trucking company. In fact, several trucking companies have instituted a muscular/skeletal test. This is basically a test to ensure you can perform the functions of a truck driver:
- Get in and out of the truck
- Lift a certain amount of weight
- Bend over without injuring yourself
- Push a certain amount of weight
- Pull a certain amound of weight
Most people pass the exam, so no worries. You will also be asked to participate in an orientation (usually 2 - 4 days long). In orientation you will learn a lot of information, including:
- The trucking company's safety policies
- The necessary paperwork
- General company policies
- Necessary contact people within the company
Every company has an orientation, so you can expect that. You will also be given a road test in order to determine your level of driving skill.
Other than that, here are the general guidelines:
1. Criminal History -
Having a criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from truck driver training and trucking jobs. It will depend on the type of crimes that were committed.
- Felonies - some cdl training programs will not enroll someone with a felony, but several will. The truck driver training programs who do enroll people with felonies typically follow these guidelines:
- Felony cannot be reoccuring
- If the felony is over 10 years old, you will have a strong chance of being approved
- If the felony was violent in nature and less than 10 years old, you will have a weak chance of being approved.
- If the felony was related to drugs or theft, it is best if the felony is 10 years old or more.
- Misdemeanors - There are so many different classifications of misdemenors, but the following guidelines will help simplify:
- Usually misdemeanors involving drugs, violence, or theft, will need to be at least 5 years old.
- Some truck driving schools will take a look at an application with any sort of misdemeanor, but the application will need to be approved by the safety departments of trucking companies.
- DUIs - Since you are applying for a job that involves driving, DUI's are closely scrutinized. Most cdl training programs follow this general criteria:
- 0 DUIs in the last 3 years
- 1 DUI - must be 3 years old or older. Some trucking companies require the DUI to be 5 years old.
- 2 DUIs - no more than 1 DUI in the past 10 years (and must be older than 3 years). So, if you have one in the last 10 years (and older than 3 years), the other DUI must be older than 10 years.
- 3 or more DUIs - Most truck driver training programs and trucking companies won't hire someone with 3 or more DUIs.
2. Driving Record -
Truck driver training programs will either request a copy of your MVR (motor vehicle record) or will pull one themselves. Here is the general criteria they will follow to determine your ability to gain employment as a truck driver:
- Moving Violations (tickets) - No more than 3 moving violations within the past 3 years
- Preventable Accidents - No more than 2 preventable accidents within the past 3 years
- DUIs - SEE ABOVE
- Suspensions - No more than 5 driver license suspensions within the past 3 years. And, the suspensions cannot be longer than 12 months long. In other words, they must be short in duration.
3. Employment History -
CDL training programs are looking for people who show a record of being employed in recent history. They will most likely ask for your work history for the past 5 years. So, here is a general guidline they use for employment history:
- Work History - no more than 3 jobs in the past 12 months. No more than 6 jobs in the past 3 years.
- Unemployment - periods of unemployment lasting more than 12 months will probably be reviewed. Any unemployment gaps between 3 months and 12 months will need to be explained and/or documented (unemployment benefits statements, etc.).
- Self Employment - Periods of self-employment must be verified with tax statements and/or business statements.
4. General Criteria -
- Must be 21 years of age or older
- Must be able to pass a DOT physical
- Must be able to pass a drug test
- Must be a US citizen or have authorization to work in the US
Once again, these are just basic guidlines. Some truck driver training programs are much more lenient while others are more strict. Give us a shout if you would like a more detailed breakdown.