Hello all. Im Matt from Toledo, OH. Im 22 years old and Ive been wanting into the trucking industry for a long time. Im running into problems about my history, because I had a 2 year unemployment gap. Im now working as a paratransit bus operator, but I want National exposure. Im drug free, have no criminal background, and havent had ANY type of violation or ticket in my driving career. I just want to get out there and get trained. Do any of you out there have any advice for me? I want to get in so badly Im almost willing to lie! Please help me.-Matt

What were you doing during the 2 year gap?

Lying won't help, trucking company's really do check out your work history, as far as help that's all I got.

At 22 your age is also a factor with most carriers. Most carriers require drivers to be at least 23 and some won't hire drivers who are under 25 years old. No matter what is involved in your employment gap for those 2 years you need to provide them with an accounting of your time. If you have any sort of criminal activities in your past that will also be a factor in entering this business.

A poor work history is when you have a lot of jobs in a short time with poor performance. If you have not worked during that 2 year time then it isn't a poor work history, it is NO work history. Whether you have been in school, worked or done nothing, you will still need to account for your time the last 10 years. Federal law requires that carriers check your background for at least the last 3 years and have an application on file which documents your last 10 years activities. At your age most of that would likely have involved school, but you must account for your time if you want to work in this industry. Employers are required to check the last 3 years.

You CAN lie. But only as long as you are a dispatcher, a terminal manager..........or a company owner.

As a driver...you get to lie to yourself.

LOL lie
everyone else on this planet does LOL


ok I lied!
Just keep searching for a ma and pa shop who will give you a chance. dont give up and you will be fine.

Stay working for the company you are with but keep trying. As gman said many companies require age 23 minimum, and others said not telling the truth will land you in some real hot water. This is one industry they generally will catch you in a lie and no mater how small the lie, they will let you go. DON'T DO IT! I actually have had mutiple jobs this year and last but I am still hireable by some decent companies. Don't give up and be honest is my best suggestion at the time.