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FAQ – DRIVING PROSPERITY
Don’t worry, let us help! We can walk you through the process from start to finish. Contact us today and we can help determine if becoming a truck driver is the right career for you. We will then help you select a training facility and get all the required documentation to start training. We pay the fees for training and the fees to obtain your CDL. Once you pass and receive your CDL, we even help connect you with job openings and assist you with your resume and help you sharpen your interview skills.
You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the state of Oregon (intrastate) and at least 21 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle outside the state of Oregon (interstate). You must also be at least 21 years old to transport materials that are deemed hazardous and to transport passengers using a commercial motor vehicle.
They are! You can find the Oregon CDL Driver’s Manual on the DMV’s website or click the button below and download your own copy!
You will need an instruction permit to receive training and practice for the test. You’ll also need it if you’re taking your CDL test with a third-party tester. (We can help pay for the fees to obtain your permit.)
Typically, there is zero out-of-pocket for you to be trained to become a truck driver. The program can pay for fees to obtain your medical card, permit, tuition for training, CDL license fees and some other expenses required for training.
Motor Vehicle Record Qualifications
1. No more than three moving violation citations in the last three years
2. No major “at fault” accidents in the last five years, and no more than one “at fault” accident in the past 12 months or more than two in the past five years
3. No DUI, careless, reckless, or negligent violations within the last five years, NO 15+ MPH over the speed limit in the last 10 years.
4. No “failure to appear” on Motor Vehicle record suspension, revocation, cancellation, lost privilege, or disqualification. No cell phone tickets in the last 3 years.
Possible Waivers:
In the event these standards cannot be met, a waiver may be permitted as described below:
- Written acceptance of the potential employee driving record by the hiring company, documented by a letter of “Commitment to Hire” pending successful completion of the Commercial Truck Driving Program.
- If a student’s course fee is funded by an agency, that agency’s referring counselor would also need to sign the waiver acknowledging the impact to placement opportunities.
Depending on the school you choose, training can take between 4-6 weeks.
Yes, many employers visit the training facilities and interview students prior to obtaining the CDL. We can assist you with interview skills to help ensure your success of obtaining a job as a CDL truck driver.
Truck driving is a good job to have. There is currently a truck driver shortage in America, making it one of the most in-demand careers. As a truck driver you can expect to have a strong, stable, and long-lasting career.
In addition to great pay, you can expect access to full health and dental benefits for you and your family. Most employers also offer retirement programs to help you plan for retirement.
This is usually a case-by-case basis. It will depend on the felony, how long ago the felony was and the rules of the trucking company doing the hiring. A felony will usually not rule you out from becoming a truck driver
It is possible for experienced truck drivers with advanced certifications to make $100k per year.
Federal vs State Law
Despite being legal in Oregon, Marijuana is still a Schedule I Controlled Substance under the Federal Controlled Substances Act of 1970. According to the United States Department of Transportation, state laws have no impact on the testing regulations and requirements for obtaining or maintaining a CDL. The use of Marijuana by a commercial driver utilizing a CDL is therefore prohibited, regardless of whether the drug was taken for recreational or medical purposes, or whether marijuana use was legal in the applicable state.
When applying for your CDL, a failed drug test goes on your record.
It’s important to note that all failed drug tests, will be added to your record in the FMCSA Clearinghouse’s database. This includes tests when applying for your CDL permit. These failed drug and alcohol tests will stay on record until your return-to-duty program has been completed and 5 years have passed since the violation.
Employers are required to check the Clearinghouse database before hiring a new employee and regularly during their employment. Failing a DOT drug test or alcohol test is a serious issue that can easily end a truck driver’s career. The FMCSA has outlined a very specific RTD (Return to Duty) process that must be followed
when this happens.
- Any truck driver who fails a test must immediately be removed from all safety sensitive functions (driving).
- They must be evaluated by a Substance Abuse Professional (an SAP).
- Once the SAP evaluation is complete, the driver will have to complete a prescribed drug
and/ or alcohol abuse program.
After that, they’re eligible to complete a RTD (Return to Duty) test and may start driving again. Once they are driving, they will have to undergo at least 6 random drug tests and/or alcohol tests within the first year following a DOT drug or alcohol violation. After all the follow-up tests are completed, the truck driver will have officially completed the full DOT return to duty process.
Completing the process takes at least 12.5 months and the violation will continue to show on the driver’s FMCSA Clearinghouse record for up to 5 years.
In the trucking industry, a failed Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is no little thing. Commercial drivers perform many safety-sensitive duties, and even the smallest of errors caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol can lead to serious accidents and consequences. For this reason, drivers are held to a higher standard in terms of drug and alcohol use. The consequences of a drug or alcohol violation are serious and not to be taken lightly.
One of six EDA programs funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan – enables EDA to make once-in-a-generation investments in high-quality, locally led workforce systems to dramatically transform America’s communities and local economies.
The Good Jobs Challenge brings together employers who have hiring needs with other key entities to provide in-demand skills training that leads to good-paying jobs. EDA recognizes that workforce development is a critical pillar to supporting locally led, innovative, and competitive economic development.
The Good Jobs Challenge shows how critical employer leadership is to a successful workforce system. The projects EDA is funding have employers coming to the table as partners to articulate the demand and skills required for specific jobs, to help design and deliver effective training programs, and to make tangible commitments to hire workers.
The 32 Good Jobs Challenge grantees are focused on serving and supporting underserved communities that represent the fabric of America – from working parents, veterans and military spouses, youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, and those in recovery to Black, Latinx, AAPI communities, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQ+ populations, and more.
The programs funded by the Good Jobs Challenge focus on a broad range of in-demand industries, including industries that are essential to U.S. supply chains and global competitiveness such as aerospace and defense, clean energy, transportation and logistics, advanced manufacturing, and information technology, as well as industries core to regional attractiveness, such as healthcare and construction for infrastructure projects.
