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Do you Qualify For CDLs?Truth is, you can go to trucking school with a lot of offenses on your record. You can even get your CDL's with a few offenses as long as long as you have your valid driver's license.But, there are some offenses and combination of offenses that will legally disqualify you from operating a Commercial Vehicle for specified amounts of time. Which means it would be a waste to get your CDLs These are most common offenses that will automatically disqualify CDL holders from operating a commercial vehicle
*If a driver is convicted of DUI or refusal or leaving the scene of an accident or using the vehicle for committing a felony he or she is disqualified for the following amount of time * Driving a Commercial Vehicle while license revoked, canceled or suspended from violations from operation of a commercial vehicle he or she is disqualified for 1 year for first offense (3 years if hauling hazmat) Disqualified for life for 2nd offense * Causing a fatality through negligent operation of a Commercial Motor Vehicle he or she is disqualified for 1 year for first offense (3 years if hauling hazmat) Disqualified for life for 2nd offense If a CDL holder is disqualified from operating a CMV, the State may issue him/her a license to operate non-CMVs. Drivers who are disqualified from operating a CMV can not be issued a "conditional" or "hardship" CDL or any other type of limited driving privileges to continue driving a CMV. * For disqualification purposes, convictions for out-of-state violations will be treated the same as convictions for violations that are committed in the home State. The CDLIS will ensure that convictions a driver receives outside his or her home State are transmitted to the home State so that the disqualifications can be applied. How To See If You Qualify For Your CDLsBelow is a link to where to go to find out if you are able to qualify for CDLs as far as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety is concerned. Generally speaking you will need to meet the following criteria- You need to speak, read and understand English - You have to be 18 to drive in state and 21 to driver across state lines - You must have the physical ability required to operate safely(will need to pass a DOT) -You will need to have 20/40 vision. With or without glasses. - You must have normal peripheral vision- You must not be color blindIf you can get pass those general federal qualifications read through a more detailed list at the Federal Motor Carriers Fact Sheet below. The DOT Federal Motor Carriers Safety Disqualification of Drivers Chart
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Trucking Schools
The trucking school that is most suitable for you will depend upon your situation and location.
If there is a community college near you that may be the best way for you to get your CDL. The program will be under the evaluation of the education system and the cost should be cheaper than private schools.
You also won't have to pay back the trucking companies for training you for free. However, if you have to get free training at a trucking company, nothing wrong with that either, just know what you are signing. Also know that in most cases you WILL owe them money if you don't work for them for a certain amount of time afterwards.
Ask questions...
How long will you have to drive for them to pay off the training? What is the penalty for breaking contract? If possible, don't break the contract.