Driving Record and MMC

Professional Mariner Forum
1

Greetings forumers,

I was just concerned about what obstacles I may run into when I get back down to Florida, and apply for my MMC. I have done my reading of 46 CFR 10.211-213, and from what I have read–if I understood it correctly–is that they either CAN or WILL assess my case for a minimum for one year with a maximum of two years. Can anybody offer me a bit of advice? My uncle, who is a captain, is the one who has pushed me in the direction of working offshore and it has been hell just waiting around for the TSA and what-not…but I guess he was right when he said “hurry up and wait”. haha.

Anyhow, here are my charges:
05/02/2014 - Reckless Driving - Arrested

06/17/2014 - Careless Driving, Not Wearing a Seatbelt, and Negligent Driving – didn’t even know I received these tickets, woke up in a damn hospital a week later with tubes in my lungs.

Can anybody offer me advice? I haven’t been in any trouble since then and really don’t think I will get in any more trouble. Are there any Ex-CG’s on this forum that could point me in the right direction, or anybody that has went through this before?

2

Contact your local USCG Rec and ask the person in charge their for advice, I had a similar experience in 1995 and went to the USCG office in Boston Mass. and had to write an explanation of why I had a incident in a motor vehicle,
also if you look at your renewal paperwork when you go to upgrade or renew a license or a document, look for the questions of "have you ever’ , and be honest 100% on those as all your information is on record with the USCG.
and if you tell a fib you will be “Revoked” immediately and unable to work again.
if you Google “USCG ALJ decisions” you will that their are many folks that have lied about their prior driving convictions, and their documents were instantly "Revoked’ because of it!

Good luck

3

Do you currently hold a valid drivers license? If the answer is yes then you should be ok. The driving record check is geared towards us drunks and drug addicts.

4

That is pretty recent. My advice to you would be to learn how to drive a motor vehicle safely & responsibly before going to sea & risking the lives of your shipmates.

1 Like
5

Did you take any “defensive driving” class or court ordered training? If not, consider it to give a +1 point possibly in the eyes of the evaluator. The CG website said they consider reckless driving for evaluation purposes for 3 yrs. Reckless driving and Careless driving are pretty unsafe. If you have to list these convictions on employment applications, it might raise a flag with an HR office. This industry is VERY safety oriented and not doing something as simple as wearing a seat belt may have potential employers questioning your value of safety. But Im sure you’ll be fine. Good luck!

6

Two just a month apart and so recently, it may present a problem for you. Be prepared to answer questions honestly.

For your own sake, (and the rest of us) please ease up with that leadfoot! You don’t want your family setting up one of those roadside memorials.

7

[QUOTE=catherder;155058]Two just a month apart and so recently, it may present a problem for you. Be prepared to answer questions honestly.

For your own sake, (and the rest of us) please ease up with that leadfoot! You don’t want your family setting up one of those roadside memorials.[/QUOTE]

I suggest hiring a good UsCG license consultant to help you deal with the required explanations and present your application in the best light. This should not prevent you from obtaining an MMC as an OS if it is properly presented and explained.

1 Like
8

[QUOTE=tugsailor;155059]I suggest hiring a good UsCG license consultant to help you deal with the required explanations and present your application in the best light. This should not prevent you from obtaining an MMC as an OS if it is properly presented and explained.[/QUOTE]

That’s some sage advice. Money well spent.

9

[QUOTE=Capnklump;155041]That is pretty recent. My advice to you would be to learn how to drive a motor vehicle safely & responsibly before going to sea & risking the lives of your shipmates.[/QUOTE]

Yea, uh, take a long look in the mirror. Going to sea is inherently dangerous. I hate to beat up on you here but these are serious charges. Good Luck

10

You are/were a stupid kid with a fast car. Most of us have been there at some point or another. Be honest with the CG and be willing to jump few several hoops and you will be fine. Hire a consultant (not Hollly) and things will go a little smoother.

11

[QUOTE=kano;154406]Greetings forumers,

I was just concerned about what obstacles I may run into when I get back down to Florida, and apply for my MMC. I have done my reading of 46 CFR 10.211-213, and from what I have read–if I understood it correctly–is that they either CAN or WILL assess my case for a minimum for one year with a maximum of two years. Can anybody offer me a bit of advice? My uncle, who is a captain, is the one who has pushed me in the direction of working offshore and it has been hell just waiting around for the TSA and what-not…but I guess he was right when he said “hurry up and wait”. haha.

Anyhow, here are my charges:
05/02/2014 - Reckless Driving - Arrested

06/17/2014 - Careless Driving, Not Wearing a Seatbelt, and Negligent Driving – didn’t even know I received these tickets, woke up in a damn hospital a week later with tubes in my lungs.

Can anybody offer me advice? I haven’t been in any trouble since then and really don’t think I will get in any more trouble. Are there any Ex-CG’s on this forum that could point me in the right direction, or anybody that has went through this before?[/QUOTE]

Are these convictions, or are they still pending? Have you filled all penalties and obligations of the Court.

Also, you said you were unconscious/in a coma for a week. You may have issues on medical fitness depending on your current condition.

While yo have not given enough information to even speculate on an outcome, you should anticipate having to supply additional information, such as:

(1) Proof of completion of an accredited alcohol or drug abuse rehabilitation program;
(2) Active membership in a rehabilitation or counseling group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous;
(3) Character references from persons who can attest to the applicant’s sobriety, reliability, and suitability for employment in the merchant marine including parole or probation officers;
(4) Steady employment; and
(5) Successful completion of all conditions of parole or probation.

12

Do pending charges have to be reported to the coast guard for a MMC renewal? I have read cases where MMCs have been issued with charges pending due to no conviction at time of renewal. I have also read that the coast guard considers just an arrest a conviction. Could a pending case just be continued until after renewal with no reporting requirements? How do they justify additional assesment periods for cases that take years to resolve in these instances?

I do know the coast guard has later revoked licenses granted after renewal once convicted under the below premise.
46 USC 7703(2), a conviction that would preclude the issuance of MMC.

14

Read the application and answer the questions they ask.

15

You only need to report convictions, and only when you apply for something (renewal, upgrade, etc.) Note that the Coast Guard defines “conviction” very broadly, see the definition of it in 46 CFR 10.107. You would be prudent to consult a lawyer and bring the regulation/definition to their attention before accepting any plea deal.