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Trucking Companies That Hire Convicted Felons (2026 Updated Guide)

If you have a felony on your record and you’re wondering whether a career in trucking is still possible, the short answer is yes, it can be.

We’ve compiled a list of companies that have indicated they’re open to hiring qualified CDL drivers with a felony conviction. (The companies are listed by their waiting period requirements.)

Excon looking for a truck driving job
Important to Note: None of these companies will guarantee a job. Trucking company hiring policies also change often. Be sure to call the company recruiter before you appl. Be upfront about your conviction, and ask where they stand. on the matter. It will save you time and frustration. And quite frankly, it's the best way to handle the situation.

Trucking Companies That Hire Felons

These carriers review applications on a case-by-case basis. A recent conviction won’t automatically disqualify you, but keep in mind that the nature of the offense still matters.

  • Averitt Express
  • Butler Transport
  • Carolina Cargo – Rock Hill, SC
  • CFI (Contract Freighters Inc.)
  • Celadon Group – (rape, murder, drug manufacture/sale, or RSO convictions are not eligible)
  • Covenant Transport – Chattanooga, TN
  • CRST International – Cedar Rapids, IA
  • Don Hummer Trucking – (drug convictions must be 5+ years old)
  • Eagle Express Lines – (no drug or alcohol convictions)
  • Freymiller Inc. – Oklahoma City, OK
  • Hirschbach Motor Lines – Dubuque, IA
  • J&R Schugel Inc. – New Ulm, MN
  • JB Hunt – Lowell, AR
  • Lone Star Transportation
  • Maverick Transportation – Little Rock, AR
  • May Trucking Company
  • Midwest Motor Express
  • Millis Transfer Inc. – Black River Falls, WI
  • PAM Transport
  • Prime Inc. – Springfield, MO
  • Roadtex Transportation – Somerset, NJ
  • Roehl Transport – Marshfield, WI
  • Schneider National – Green Bay, WI
  • Southern Refrigerated Transport
  • Stevens Transport – Dallas, TX
  • Sysco
  • Tuttle & Tuttle Trucking – (felony must be 3+ years old; no drug or alcohol charges)
  • Tyson Foods – Springdale, AR
  • USA Truck
  • U.S. Xpress – Chattanooga, TN – (felony theft must be 10+ years old; DUI must be 5+ years old)
  • Watkins Shepard – (any DUI must be 5+ years old)
  • Werner Enterprises – Omaha, NE – (any DUI must be 3+ years old)
  • Western Express
  • XPO Logistics – (any DUI must be 5+ years old)

Trucking Companies That Hire Felons, 5 Years After Conviction

These companies require at least 5 years since your felony conviction before they’ll consider your application.

  • A.D. Transport Express
  • Bear Trucking
  • Boyd Brothers Transportation
  • DeBoer Trucking
  • G.L. Hollingsworth
  • Groendyke Transport – Enid, OK
  • Koch Trucking
  • Melton Truck Lines – Catoosa, OK
  • Mesilla Valley Transportation
  • P.G.T. Trucking – Aliquippa, PA
  • Paschall Truck Lines – Murray, KY
  • Salmon Companies
  • Tango Transport – Shreveport, LA
  • Waggoners Trucking Company

Trucking Companies That Hire Felons, 7 Years After Conviction

These companies want to see at least 7 years between you and your conviction date.

  • Barr-Nunn Transportation – Granger, IA
  • Bennett Motor Express
  • Estenson Logistics
  • First Fleet Inc.
  • Hornady Transportation
  • HVH Transportation
  • Super Service – (no drug or sex offender convictions)

Trucking Companies That Hire Felons — 10 Years After Conviction

These carriers have the longest waiting periods. If your conviction is recent, you can keep these on your list to revisit in the future.

  • C.R. England Inc. – Salt Lake City, UT
  • CT Transportation
  • CTL Transportation
  • Crete Carriers – Lincoln, NE
  • Dick Lavy Trucking – Bradford, OH
  • G&P Trucking Company
  • Hunt Transportation
  • J.B. Hunt – Lowell, AR
  • Navajo Express
  • Ozark Motor Lines
  • Swift Transportation – Phoenix, AZ
  • TMC Transportation
Truck driver in an interview.

No CDL Yet? These Companies Offer Paid Training

If you don’t have your CDL yet, several felon-friendly trucking companies run paid CDL programs. You’ll earn a flat rate during the training period with a trainer then move to per-mile pay once you’re qualified, and have your license.

  • C.R. England Inc.
  • Celadon Group
  • Covenant Transport
  • G&P Trucking Company
  • Maverick Transportation
  • May Trucking Company
  • Melton Truck Lines
  • Millis Transfer Inc.
  • Navajo Express
  • Ozark Motor Lines
  • PAM Transport
  • Prime Inc.
  • Roehl Transport
  • Schneider National
  • Southern Refrigerated Transport
  • Stevens Transport
  • Swift Transportation
  • TMC Transportation
  • Tuttle & Tuttle Trucking
  • U.S. Xpress
  • USA Truck
  • WEL Companies
  • Werner Enterprises
  • Western Express

What Felonies Disqualify You From Getting a CDL?

Before you invest your time (or money) in CDL training, know where you stand.

There are certain offenses that will disqualify you from ever holding a CDL, ever.

  • Murder, manslaughter, or felony assault
  • Drug trafficking or manufacturing (separate from personal use charges)
  • Smuggling, bribery, arson, kidnapping, or treason
  • Any felony involving the use of a commercial vehicle
  • Driving under the influence (active suspension or recent conviction)
  • Outstanding warrants in any state
  • Reckless driving (depending on severity and recency)
  • Sex offender registration requirements (disqualifies for certain endorsements and companies)

If your offense wasn’t related to driving a commercial vehicle, your odds of getting a CDL are generally better. The harder part is getting a job afterward.

It’s Not Just the Felony, What Else Do Companies Look At?

Even if a carrier is willing to hiring felons, you can still get turned down for other reasons. Insurers have a lot of influence over the matter. If they won’t insure a driver, there’s not much the company can do.

  • A poor or insufficient amount of detail about your driving record
  • Recent DUI or traffic violations
  • Failing the DOT physical
  • A positive drug test (all CDL drivers must pass DOT drug screening)
  • The type of offence conflicting with freight (e.g., theft charges + cargo hauling)
  • Multiple felony convictions
  • Being dishonest on the application**
Cars on busy city freeway at sunset

Don’t Overlook Local Trucking Companies

The bigger carriers get most of the attention, but the small local operators who haul livestock, lumber, concrete, waste, or beer can be great options.

This is particularly attractive if parole or probation is involved. Local trucking company owners usually have more flexibility than large companies.

CDL Grants and Financial Help for Felons

Getting your CDL costs money.

This can be a real problem if you have just been released from prison and have little to no savings.

There are government-backed job training grants available specifically for people with criminal records. Check eligibility through your state’s workforce development office or the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop tool at careeronestop.org.

Many of the companies in the training list above also cover CDL costs entirely, which removes the upfront barrier altogether.

Also check our resource 10 Ways to Pay For CDL Training.

A Tax Credit That Works in Your Favor

Employers who hire felons are eligible for the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), which is worth thousands of dollars for each qualifying person they hire.

It’s definitely worth mentioning to a recruiter. Companies benefit from hiring you, and that’s not a bad position to be in.

Semi truck and trailer speeding on wet highway

F.A.Q.

Can felons hold a CDL?

Yes, in most cases. The CDL itself isn’t automatically off-limits because of a felony. It comes down to the nature of the crime and when it happened. If your offense doesn’t appear on the disqualifying list above, there’s a fair chance you can get licensed and find work.

Can I get a CDL with a drug charge?

It depends. A personal possession charge is quite different from trafficking. Whether you were driving at the time matters too, and so does how long ago it happened. In most cases yes, but check your state’s specific rules and be ready to pass a DOT drug screening.

What if I don’t list my felony on the job application?

Just don’t do it. Every trucking company runs background checks without exception. Getting caught in a lie ends your chance to get a job at that company and can follow you in the trucking industry. Honesty is always the better play.

What This Really Means

I believe people deserve a second chance. And trucking is one of the industries where that second chance is genuinely available.

The work is real, the pay is can be good, and the demand for drivers isn’t letting up anytime soon.

Be honest with employers, keep your driving record clean, and be persistent. That combination is your best bet.

Note: Hiring policies change frequently based on insurance requirements and driver demand. Always contact carriers directly to confirm their current policies before you apply. This guide shows the most current information out there, as of 2026.

Truck on highway

Related > 5 Important Things You Should Know About a Career in Trucking

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