New Driver Accidents

Situations like yours make it a numbers game. In other words, the more apps you submit, the better your chances. It sucks that the incidents happened on your mentor's watch. I mean, where was he? If he was truly mentoring, neither incident should have happened. As a former trainer, I've always felt that something like that should at the very least ding the mentor's rep as well.

In all instances of applying, be honest, be persistent, and remember it's not the end of the world. People have done far worse and been hired. Good luck.

 

First of all don't be to hard on yourself, or you will put to much mental pressure on yourself and be prone to these types of things. Take your time, don't worry about anyone else other than yourself when backing. By that I mean trucks, cars, etc that are waiting for you to get backed in so they can continue on about their business.

Moving forward from now might not be an easy task, the only thing you can do is be completely honest with prospective employers. Someone will give you a chance, but you will more than likely have to go out with a trainer.

 

Yea that ain't no ####. But also the mentor should have told this driver hey if you are ever in doubt get out and look, and never trust your spotter period the end. Sounds to me like this was more a mentoring problem than a drivers problem...just my penny on the matter I can't afford 2 cents today.

 

These 2 accidents will go on your DAC but highly doubt that limits your chances with other companies.We all make mistakes in this industry and learn from them.

 

dont feel bad, I had my first accident the first week I went solo, was 12:30 in the morning and I was tired (not a great excuse) and I pulled into some overflow parking after fueling up since i decided I shouldnt keep driving, pulled in too sharp and my trailer scraped the front of a parked truck. For this my company didnt fire me but is having me do different safety trainings.
The statistics show a lot of new drivers have some form of accident in the first year, I just hope I got the 1 out of the way and dont do any more of them. It made me a lot more careful though when driving, backing, turning etc.

always remember to get out and look when backing, only time I dont is when I have like 5 spots open, I am paranoid so I like to make sure im not about to hit a truck and end my job.

The company should be questioning the mentor though since you were in training and he should of been helping....

 

That's good advice.

 

Accidents do happen and statistically these kind of close quarter accidents are what the new drivers are prone to have. You may be limited to working for another training company and going through a shorter training or refresher period with a mentor. Like others have said, be honest about what happened but don't be negative putting yourself down. Lastly your mentors reference means little on a good day and much less with him having been there at the time of the accidents.

 

Suggestion:
Go back for a mild refresher course to a reputable truck driving school. Request that you primarily spend most of your time backing in and out of places, for a period of 2 to 3 weeks. If you have to, take out a loan for all this. Afterwards, go apply to various trucking companies for employment, explaining what happened, and also mentioning that you went back for a refresher course to improve your backing.
Just for the heck of it, you may even want to reapply to the trucking company that terminated you. You never know.

Good luck to you!

God bless you and your family! God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!