Employment

Trucking Companies That Train and Hire Felons

Trucking Companies That Train and Hire Felons

Can you get a truck driving job with a felony? Are there felony-friendly trucking companies out there? Felons today have to deal with a lot of issues, probably the biggest issue of them all is people refusing to hire them just because of a past mistake (not forgetting that many people are wrongfully convicted of the crime they know nothing about).

Although that judgment may seem reasonable for some, it is totally unfair to not hire someone just because they’re a felon.

I’m not saying that all felons are clean the moment they get out of jail, but the majority of them are people who have reflected on their past mistakes and will do their best to avoid committing such mistakes again.

Fortunately for many felons, there are a big number of trucking companies that hire felons on probation, but depending on how recent their conviction was, and what time of felony was committed, and how many times.

Through thorough research and experience, I have come to notice that many trucking companies around the country hire felons, even those who have committed multiple felonies. But on the other hand, an offense that may seem small to some, like a traffic misdemeanor, for example, can drastically decrease your chances of being hired more than having committed fraud or theft.

Read also: Trucking Companies That Hire Sex Offenders

Keep in mind that a multitude of factors are at play when it comes to your chances of getting hired, these include the age of your felony, your driving record, work history, and more. Just make sure to be completely transparent and honest when writing your application.

Don’t stretch the truth so that it seems like you’re super clean. I’m not saying you aren’t by the way, it’s just that when you mention it many times in your application, it may come off as a lie or a sign of insecurity.

Applying to a Trucking Company as A Felon

Can you get a truck driving job with a felony?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires every single trucking company to do a thorough background check on every single applicant before hiring them, this is known as the Pre-Employment Screening Program or PSP for short.

The PSP consists of in-depth investigations about your criminal record, past employment, address, and of course, your driving record. For your own information, some truck drivers have had their applications denied, even though they have never committed a crime or anything in their life, simply because they hid or accidentally didn’t mention something about their past in their application form.

So, if you want the whole operation to go buttery smooth, make sure to be as honest as possible, and cite everything about your past, including an accurate note of the periods of unemployment you faced. Trucking companies hiring drivers with bad records are not much, but they do give the one who is willing a second chance in life.

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The trucking company that you apply to will take many things into consideration when they check your application. The fact that that you have a felony means that you’ve got to shine in other areas, in order for it to work. I’m not saying that you have to be perfect, and I already explained how that could be a bad thing, but having a good driving record, for example, will most definitely help.

The main things that a trucking company looks for in an applicant are:

True, there are truck driving jobs for felons. But, we must first consider what they look for in every applicants before hiring.

  • A steady employment record (no significant gaps between periods of employment without a reasonable explanation)
  • Recently graduated from an approved truck driving school (or the applicant is willing to be trained)
  • Any CDL driving experience (not a necessity but it’s a plus)
  • A reasonably clean motor vehicle record with no reckless driving convictions, emphasis on ‘’no’’.

Moreover, the older your DUI or DWI (Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs) is, the higher the chance of you getting hired is. Most of the companies that I’m going to list below will consider hiring you even you have a recent DUI on your record. However, almost all companies will not hire you if you happen to have multiple DUI convictions.

Traffic Violations & Misdemeanors

Having committed a crime while driving a commercial vehicle or just reckless driving, finding a job as a truck driver will be extremely hard, not to go as far as saying that it’s impossible. Crimes such as shoplifting or petty theft won’t be that much of an issue in the eyes of trucking companies, especially if they weren’t committed recently.

The chances of you being hired are actually pretty good.

Just stay positive about it and keep in mind that trucking companies are always looking for people simply because nowadays, there is a truck driver shortage across the states. Never lose hope, even if the first ten companies that you applied to turned you down, keep trying.

My sole advice to you is to basically fill out every application possible, and hope for the best, chances are one of the trucking companies will accept you, if not more.

Below is a list of trucking companies that will hire anyone. The list should give you a good start in trying to find a job. In the case of not being accepted by any of them, again, don’t lose hope, and start looking on Craigslist for trucking companies.

If you’re from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, West Virginia, or Wyoming, then it is your lucky day, simply because these states are hotspots for oil truck drivers and they face a critical driver shortage.

Many of the companies offer high-paying jobs, but if you happen to not be from these states, then maybe you should consider moving there once accepted, if possible of course.

List of Trucking Companies That Hire Felons and Train [year].

Trucking Companies That Train and Hire Felons

The majority of these trucking companies don’t require an experienced driver and some even offer paid training. Those with training are noted below, and most of these companies hire nationwide, with no exception.

Trucking companies that hire convicted felons on a case by case basis:

So, here we go, list of trucking companies hiring drivers with bad records are:

Truck driving companies that hire felons (5 years old convictions or more)

Trucking companies that hire an ex-con. (7 years old convictions or more):

Trucking companies that hire felons (10 years old convictions or more):

Once again, remember to fill every application possible, and to be as honest as possible while filling them, and good luck! Trucking companies that hire high-risk drivers are included in the article as well.

See Also: 10 Companies that don’t drug test employees.

Does Target Drug Test Employees?

Do Restaurants Drug Test Employees?

25 thoughts on “Trucking Companies That Train and Hire Felons”

  1. “Felons today have to deal with a lot of issues, probably the biggest issue of them all, is people refusing to hire them just because of a past mistake”…

    There’s a false premise in your opening remark. You assume all felons made a “mistake”. In truth, the USA imprisons more citizens the than any other country in the world. This is a consequence of economic drivers in the prison industrial system. Everything from the prosecutor’s expensive Armani suit and tie to the police officer’s salary has to be financed with a gov’t ponze scheme in the backs of millions of citizens cages in human warehouses. So even if a small percentage of inmates were wrongly convicted for crimes they didn’t commit, it would translate to hundreds of thousands every year. So I am speaking to you on behalf of the many wrongfully convicted men I this country. I did not make a mistake. I’m an innocent man who was railroaded by a corrupt system. Thank you for listening.

      • This is not true about Swift. I have a single misdemeanor, concealed weapon, from 13 years ago with a spotless driving record and was rejected by Swift for this per my recruiter. So you may want to edit that about Swift. Thanks.

        K

      • I understand this and learned so much about criminal justice system and how flawed it is. I watched a series of events in my own life that I never would have thought possible had it not happened. I see now how easy it is for good people to get a record that don’t deserve it. I am sorry for your experience and understand from experience. It’s devastating.

  3. I am having a hard time. Werner, Swift, Crete/Shaffer, Bulkmatic, JBS, Quality Carriers and a few others have denied my application. My conviction record spanned from 1999 to 2011. Mostly misdemeanors. One Felony in 2007. (Agg.Asslt) Swift went back to 1999. Crete/Shaffer went back to 1999. So, the information is inaccurate.
    Unfortunately, I didn’t make “mistakes “. That’s who I was, how I lived, how I handled my problems. Dysfunctional is the best way to describe my past. Poor decision making skills, poor judgment, instability, in and out of homelessness, between low level jobs, no support, no guidance.
    One day I made a decision to live differently. Developed a new set of skills, handled my problems with a new perspective, surrounded myself around successful people. Essentially it started with day one and now its been over 8.5 consecutive years of continuous success.
    Unfortunately, this does not matter to most trucking companies.
    US Xpress was the only company that gave me an opportunity. After 3 years I moved to Arizona and US Xpress wasn’t able to offer me anything out here so I’ve been searching and coming up with nothing

    • Do what I did. Go to someone greater than your problem. His name is Jesus Christ. When you accept Christ as your savior he will help you to be successful in life. The good news is, it is a free gift from God. For God so loved you he gave his only begotten Son. I was just like the man in Psalms 34:6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. After I confessed my sins to God and made Christ the Lord of my life, I have lived good. A good life with a better one to go to is yours if you want it. God Bless.

    • Hello Cowboy, I been down that road myself. But anyway bye now you should not have any problem getting hired on with a big company. It’s been ten years on your record. Certain trucking companies don’t go that far back to check. They may ask you, but most recruiters can work around all that. You could try Tyson Foods, KLLM, Covenuant. etc… I know personally. Because I drove for them, as a Company Driver. Also Tyson Foods has one of the best Dispatcher groups, anybody’s ever herd as far as a Company Driver. They talk to you one time before you make your delivery and that’s it. Then when you do make delivery or drop. They have already sent you your next one. Also truck has everything you would want on it. 10/4…

    • So us express is a good choice if your background animt so good huh. Got some felonies under my belt all 7 years or older nothing agg or anything. Drug charges mainly. Any suggestions?

  4. Inaccurate information. My conviction record spanned from 1999 to 2011. Mostly misdemeanors. My last Felony conviction was 2008. (Agg.Asslt) Swift went back to 1999 and denied my application. Crete/Shaffer went back to 1999 and denied my application. JBS, Quality Carriers, Werner, Bulkmatic….All denied my application. I was even able to ascertain my HazMat.
    US Xpress was the only one that offered me an opportunity three years ago. I’ve been highly successful. No late deliveries, no complaints, show up for work EVERY day, no DOT preventables, no tickets, became a trainer and rolled in the big bucks.
    Unfortunately, I moved to the west coast and US Xpress didn’t have anything to offer me out here.
    So, I’ve been searching and coming up empty handed.

  5. It does not make any sense on being honest about your crime or your Mistake weather you did or not, I been out of prison for 20 years of my life and I have been to prison only one time in my life and nearly got railroad by Sacramento California this lousy state is behind all my troubles to this and I have already paid my debt to this society and more.

    This country we live in today we call America and we sing God bless America the land I love to me it is degrading our flag and principles so I will never stand for our American flag as long God allow to live on earth there is no such thing of second chances, There is a lot that plays in our flag does not have no honor in it because the world we live in does not abide by it period.

    Far as honest go for me it way beyond that and more and I came up empty hand on a lot jobs just on being honest about my pass and that includes truck companies you better be white as that church with no sins in your life and that real talk and true to the pearly white gates of Heaven and I’m 45 years old with no job staying with family members a month to month check which I’m grateful for to this date and St Louis is no better either and they base it off my pass to in Sacramento California and the Economy here in St Louis it sucks and it terrible and the crime rate is terrible too I will be very glad when I leave this state and never comeback here period.

      • I was raised in Watts Ca. There the police go out of their way to make sure young men of a certain race don’t have a chance. I have never been to prison but a have a long list of arrests stemming from 1992 to 2011. 2 felonies and about 9 misdemeanors. I have been in St. Louis since then and have found some success in working although it was through an agency that turned into a permanent position. Now I am going through the WIOA program to acquire my Cdl. I will let you all know how it goes. Keep your head up and and keep Faith in the Most High!

    • Hello Friend, We’ve all been there. But don’t give up on it. You can make it better for yourself. I made a mistake 3 months ago. I came home after beeing on the road for eight weeks. Took my one year vacation and then drove back to work. An my work popped a Random drug test on me and I failed it. So i was Terminated. So now I got my first Violation. Now I have’nt to go through the Clearinghouse and see a (SAP) Officer. I could try to get other work. But it’s nothiing like being behind the wheel of that truck and looking out your office window. An knowing God’s gonna see you through your run. So G.P. say a little prayer an believe we can change and will be back out there. Good Luck, God Bless…

  6. Its very difficult to obtain a career with any truck company: when there policy is to refuse all felons if there felony has not been over 7 or 10 years.. Wow ! So you mean to tell me I have to wait a additional 7 to 10 years to have a opportunity to drive or obtain a CDL.. THAT’S RIDICULOUS… That’s like your in prison again or jail… it’s Uncall for when someone is pursuing to do better. That person is force to return to the past life style.. I truly don’t understand when AMERICA IS CORRUPT AND STEALS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES.. AMERICA HAS DID MORE WRONG THAN I EVER HAVE. DONT JUDGE ME JUST SPEAKING FACTS.

    • And that’s 7 years AFTER u complete your sentence. I did 5 and a half years in prison and I have to wait 7 years after that to meet their “7 year” bs! “2nd chances” my a$$!

  7. how do you provide last 10yrs work history when you been locked up? Got my cdl but no hire its always something not at a address long enough.They could just say we dont like you because you a felon.

  8. I would suggest going through a Workforce Center in your state they have programs that can Federally Bond ex cons and make you more marketable even with your CDL there are companies that partner with with the workforce and they need success stories so they can continue to get funding! My Child’s Father is locked up right now and is on work release he found a job driving dump trucks in prison his second FELONY Never give up! It may not be the pay your looking for but it’s a start!

  11. Hello, we can blame anybody for our problems. But, I know I can’t blame nobody but myself. God said, you can do all things through me. So people don’t give up. Thanks and God Bless too all of you…

    • I said the same thing about my present situation because my criminal record is hunting me today. I need my Class-A License and Cdl license but have a Felony for retail theft and Careless Driving from May 2019 and everyone that I applied to keep saying wait until May 2022. I am 66 years old, I can’t wait that far out. I love to drive and want the Training I need but I can’t find anyone to train me for both license. Can anyone point me in the right direction? God will see you through it we just must stay focused. Good Luck

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