Can I Get A Truck Driving Job With An Accident
Posted on February 6, 2023
With the current truck driver shortage, companies will hire you with a poor driving record. Companies would prefer a clean driving record from their employees, but that is hard to come by with a driver shortage. Turnover rates in this industry are high so it leaves trucking companies in need of drivers. As long as your commercial driver's 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. Especially if tickets and accidents are due to 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
If you continue to execute unsafe driving patterns, disqualification of your commercial driver's license will occur. Having your CDL disqualified means you cannot hold a truck driving job of any kind while your license is not valid.
There are different time frames of disqualifications for repetitive offenses, such as :
A 60 day disqualification of your license. This occurs when you have two separate serious traffic violations in separate incidents within a three year period.
You can also receive a 120 disqualification of your CDL license. This can happen if you I have three separate serious traffic violations in separate incidents within three years.
Do Truck Drivers Get Fired For Accidents
As long as you have a valid CDL, it is up to your employer to decide if you get to keep a trucking job despite certain offenses. Be conscious of your driving patterns, and do your best to not receive tickets. Not having a safe driving history or pattern will give the impression that you are a reckless driver. Employers may assume you are too high of a risk for them to ensure under a commercial vehicle to hire as well.
Accidents do not have to prevent you from having a trucking career or even end your career once you secure a trucking job. Be honest and transparent with your employer regarding any accidents prior to your trucking job. Make sure to disclose any accidents that occur during a trucking job as well. This will ensure a smooth hiring process moving forward.