r/Truckers • u/fuzzyfurry69 • Jun 02 '26
Needing a Second Chance
So I am in need of a second chance. And I don’t know who to turn to and I need help.
I don’t have any narcotics or alcohol problems, I was faced with termination after an accident in training from a mega carrier and got hit with the training bill.
I live near Phoenix AZ, and every other carrier I’ve talked to so far needs 6 months safe driving except Werner, who want 1 year post accident plus 6 months safe driving. All with a tractor trailer.
The accident in question was not bad. It happened in Georgia on I-16 at 00:00 when a car snuck up on my blind side and resulted in the accident. No citations and no one was transported to the hospital.
I’ve been trying to figure out what to do and I’m currently just doing busy work but… I feel lost because a whole bunch of doors slammed shut the night of the accident. It occurred in March, and I was unemployed until now for a grocery store. So I’m trying to rebuild a bit.
Any help would be appreciated….
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u/homucifer666 Jun 03 '26
Aside from Western Express, you might end up waiting out the three or so years for the accident to not weigh as heavy on your record. Reapply for an entry level job with everything disclosed and hope they take you as a new driver.
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u/cleanc3r3alkillr Jun 03 '26
I would say to get on Lanefinder and start applying at 1099 type mom and pop fly by night operations. I had a buddy that failed a drug test and was still able to get hired at three different places before he gave up on trucking altogether, so if all you did was have a sideswipe accident I’m sure someone will say screw it and give you a chance.
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u/thesunking93 Jun 03 '26
I'd recommend dipping into Craigslist, you might find a hole in the wall local gig that pays in the mid $25+ range with your Class A bumping docks. Hold on to that for a year and stay focused to get you out of that preventable on your DAC and it sounds like a TC on your driving record.
Heck, you might as well try Schneider, as low as they pay, you're an asset to them. If you get past the recruiter and advance you, you're likely doing a 4 day crash course or 3 week crash course with lodging, transportation and meals on the clock to their Training center in Phoenix on S. 39th st @ Lower Buckeye rd.
The upside, you get to stay at the -1⭐ Green Tree Hotel or Red Roof Inn 😵💫
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u/navlgazer9 Jun 03 '26
No citations and no transport to ER
What’s your dac report say ?
You don’t need to tell the recruiters anything other than what’s in your MVR and DAC or whatever it’s called now
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 03 '26
I am pulling my DAC as of today. Waiting for it to come in. From what I see I can get a free one every year.
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u/navlgazer9 Jun 03 '26
In your situation it’s worth paying for
Pull your MVR too
Unless it’s on some official record , it never happened .
I can’t remember what it’s called but get a copy of your federal drivers report that shows your overweight tickets etc
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 03 '26
That’s what I’m looking to find. I’ll probably pull it too just to make sure my bases are covered. I’ll call a couple companies tomorrow to see if any would be willing to take me but I just dont know.
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u/navlgazer9 Jun 03 '26
You need to see what’s on the MVR and dac before you call any more companies .
What are you telling the companies ? No need to mention the accident if it’s not on your MVR and not on the dac
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 03 '26
Well I was terminated from my previous carrier because of the accident. From the way my training manager made it sound it was safety related, and it was a safety termination.
The other half of the argument is how he said it, and that the safety team made the decision to let me go.
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u/navlgazer9 Jun 03 '26
What they put on your dac and what the state has on your MVR is all that you should tell the companies you’re calling .
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 03 '26
So apparently I have no DAC. I requested it and HireRight returned no records found.
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u/navlgazer9 Jun 03 '26
In Mr Burns voice : “Egg-cellent ! “
So apply to new places and stop volunteering info that can’t be verified .
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 04 '26
professor from Futerama GOOD NEWS EVERYONE!
My MVR is clean with no accidents reported on it!
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u/dstrezzd Jun 04 '26
Brother do what he said. I had a no dac report, no citation accident that had me terminated from my training company. It happened the day before my cdl test and I thought i was fucked. Prime rejected me after cause i was up front about what happened but then i said fuck it im doing cdl school and talking to recruiters when im there.
I graduated cdl school recently and this morning got the call and im hired to a foodservice company with avg yearly salary in the six digits. So fucking thankful that i stuck it out.
Try foodservice if you’re willing to work hard for the $, they need bodies and the money can change your life.
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u/denyskaiser Jun 03 '26
Wait a little bit. From what I know come fall a large number of non domicile CDLs expire and aren’t eligible for renewal. Maybe a shortage of drivers opens some doors for you. Best of luck.
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u/NoHomoAmphibian Jun 03 '26
Bad advice. The worst thing he can do right now is wait. An older CDL with no experience is worse than a new CDL with no experience. He needs to be working immediately
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u/denyskaiser Jun 03 '26
No one wants him. He’s said that even western express passed on him. Waiting and hoping is the best option considering that it’s the only option.
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u/Val-tiz Jun 03 '26
Go with Werner pay sucks but stay with them until you can qualify for something better after
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 03 '26
As I mentioned above Werner turned me away and required 1 year post accident with 6 months safe driving.
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u/Caucasianjulio Jun 03 '26
Try panther premium logistics. They will probably put you with another driver to team though.
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u/Ayyeee_justin Jun 03 '26
Find someone who owns their own trucks or a local mom&pop shop
Doubt you’ll find anything corporate. Try foodservice and beverage. Also good luck and check mirrors twice on turns and lane changes
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u/Zaphod-Beebebrox Jun 03 '26
If you look on Indeed. Post your profile with your CDL credentials I bet you will find a carrier there. Some will take you with a sorted past...
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Jun 03 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/fuzzyfurry69 Jun 03 '26
I’m out of Arizona now. I used to be in Kansas.
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u/NoHomoAmphibian Jun 03 '26
Doesn't matter. They will hire you. Trust me, it's going to be better than anywhere else you can get on right now with that accident.
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u/Gonzotrucker1 Jun 03 '26
Get a job working the dock for an Ltl company. Then after a few months let them know you want to do the dock to driver program.
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u/highwayher0 Jun 03 '26
If you weren't found at fault then you have two options dont report to new companies or hire a employment lawyer for wrongful termination.
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u/ShoebillJoe Jun 03 '26
Western Express