Can I Get A Truck Driving Job With An Accident?

With the current truck driver shortage, companies will hire you with a less-than perfect driving record. Though companies would prefer a clean driving record from their employees, the turnover rates are high so it leaves trucking companies in need of drivers. Usually, as long as your commercial drivers license is still valid, a trucking company will hire you - even with accidents on your record.

What Disqualifies You From Being A Truck Driver

What trucking companies will not tolerate is repetitive serious offenses or tickets and accidents caused by driving under the influence. 

Serious offenses are as follows:

• Operating a motor vehicle with a blood-alcohol level above the accepted limit

• Committing manslaughter with a vehicle

• Leaving the scene of an accident

• Using a commercial vehicle in the commission of a felony

Other tickets usually will not have very serious consequences, like those for:

• Minor speeding

• Incorrect parking

Disqualification of your commercial driver’s license (CDL) can happen if you continue to execute unsafe driving patterns. Having your CDL disqualified means you cannot hold a truck driving job of any kind while your license is suspended.

There are different time frames of disqualifications for repetitive offenses, such as :

• A 60 day disqualification of your license would be to have two separate serious traffic violations in separate incidents in a three year period. 

• You will also receive a 120 disqualification of your CDL license if you have three separate serious traffic violations in separate incidents within three years. 

Do Truck Drivers Get Fired For Accidents

Ultimately, as long as you have a valid CDL, it is up to your employer to decide if you get or keep a trucking job if you have certain offenses on your driving record. Just be conscious of your driving patterns and do your best to not  consistently receive tickets. Not having a safe driving history or pattern will give the impression that you are a reckless driver and too high of a risk for them to hire you and to be able to obtain insurance for a commercial vehicle.

Accidents do not have to prevent you from having a trucking career or even end your career once you secure a trucking job. Just be honest and transparent with your employer and regarding any accidents prior to your trucking job as well as any accidents that occur during a trucking job. This will ensure a smooth hiring process moving forward. 

Apply for a trucking job, and get hired today!