New Licensed EMT with a DUI on Driving Record but, Never Convicted

[mspazz]

Your driving record should so OWI test failure/refusal but not a conviction. Get an attorney, it's the only way you're going to get that off your record..

 

[phideux]

In your first post you said you admitted it at a hearing so you can get a restricted license. Was this your actual DUI hearing, and did you plead guilty? If so, same thing as being convicted. It'll always be there.

 

[IAems]

Well I can't speak for everywhere but

I've known three people in California who've had DUI's in their past, either "cleared up" or otherwise. When they apply for the Ambulance Driver's License, the DMV tells them it will be no problem but after months and months of waiting for their license in the mail it never comes. When they call about it, the DMV blames it on "processing" and after a few calls and a few years, these guys got the hint. But, hey, that's California. I will say this, California or not, this is a transportation industry and you will be pretty difficult to insure as a driver. I worked as an attendant-only for about a year or two and found my options were very limited. Who knows though, maybe you'll have more luck. Tell you what, ER's don't care if you can drive. Maybe try for ER tech?

 

[Bighurk]

In your first post you said you admitted it at a hearing so you can get a restricted license. Was this your actual DUI hearing, and did you plead guilty? If so, same thing as being convicted. It'll always be there.

It was my DMV Hearing. The criminal court had never sent me letters, nor called about the case. I went down to the PD and asked about my record, they told me to contact the detective, after many calls and leaving messages on his voicemail, I have never gotten a call back. Then I had talked to the supervisor in the records bureau and he told me to petition for a record seal which would take it off my criminal record (Penal code 851.8).

I've known three people in California who've had DUI's in their past, either "cleared up" or otherwise. When they apply for the Ambulance Driver's License, the DMV tells them it will be no problem but after months and months of waiting for their license in the mail it never comes. When they call about it, the DMV blames it on "processing" and after a few calls and a few years, these guys got the hint. But, hey, that's California. I will say this, California or not, this is a transportation industry and you will be pretty difficult to insure as a driver. I worked as an attendant-only for about a year or two and found my options were very limited. Who knows though, maybe you'll have more luck. Tell you what, ER's don't care if you can drive. Maybe try for ER tech?

I have in fact gotten my Amulance Drivers license and am now an EMT at a water park, however, the tough part is getting hired by an ambulance company. As with the ER technician, that is my Plan B.

 

[IAems]

Why should ER tech be a back up?

Best case scenario, you're on an IFT truck with no upward mobility. If you work in a ER, you'll get paid more, you'll see more action, and you'll get medical advice from emergency room nurses and doctors.

Work your way up to paramedic and you'll maybe have more luck. I know that there are some spots in California where the paramedic isn't even allowed to drive when working with an EMT, (as their protocols state that the higher medical authority should always be the one providing patient care). I know several Paramedics that don't even have an Ambulance Driver's License. EMT-Basic is a whole other thing (pretty much all we do is assess and drive at a certain speed corresponding with our assessment). Again, this is California specific, but best scenario right now is to try to get an ER gig. I wouldn't consider it a back up. I'd consider it the best route to becoming a paramedic on an ambulance.

Either way, best of luck.

 

[fortsmithman]

If you were never convicted, then how is this a problem? It shouldn't be on your record.

ArcticKat the laws in the USA aren't like ours in Canada. In Canada the federal parliament is the only body authorized by our constitution to enact criminal legislation. Whereas in the USA in it up to the individual state legislatures to enact criminal law. Here in Canada only if you are convicted will there be any indication of a criminal when a CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre) check is done.

 

[fortsmithman]

It was my DMV Hearing. The criminal court had never sent me letters, nor called about the case.

Here in Canada our provincial/territorial DMV's do not hold DUI hearing only provincial/territorial courts can. Sometimes either supreme, superior or Court of Queen's Bench (depends on the province or territory) can if the accused pleads not guilty and so elects to be tried that way.