There are some U.S. trucking companies that hire convicted felons.
If you are a truck driver and have been convicted of a felony in the U.S., you may have been worried you’ll have trouble getting hired for a truck driving job.
Well, I won’t lie.
Yes, it will be tough sledding for you. No doubt.
But, one of the best tips I can give you is to be honest with the employer.
Will Trucking Companies Hire Felons?
In the past, this was the case. Big trucking companies and small companies were reluctant to hire anyone with a felony charge.
But carriers in recent years, due to the driver shortage have relaxed their rules on hiring felons for truck driving jobs.
Each carrier has their own set of rules. Some will hire felons fresh upon release, after a review.
While other carriers stipulate hiring can only occur 5, 7 or 10 years after release.
According to our research and investigation, here is a list of trucking companies that may hire felons.
Related > Job Search Tips For Felons From a Lawyer
What Felonies Disqualify You From Getting a CDL?
Some crimes immediately disqualify you from CDL training.
- Cannot take CDL training while your driver’s license is under suspension (eg. driving under the influence)
- If there is a warrant out for your arrest in any state. It’s considered a serious felony and immediately disqualifies you
- Driving under the influence
- Murder
- Smuggling, bribery, arson, treason, kidnapping
- Assault (but depends on many factors)
- Driving a truck without proper licensing
- Reckless driving
Chances of getting a commercial driver’s license are better if the offence was not related to driving a commercial vehicle.
In most cases, you can get a CDL in your home state. The challenge can be getting a job after completing your truck driving training.
No Guarantees For Hire
Be aware that no trucking company hires any employee, felon or not, before going through an interview process, in which potential employees are vetted.
None of these carriers guarantee a truck driving job for anyone.
However, the above companies at the time of publication, have expressed that they would ‘consider’ hiring a qualified CDL truck driver.
Related > 5 Important Things You Should Know About a Career in Trucking
Trucking Companies That Hire Recent Felons
- Roadtex Transportation, Somerset, New Jersey
- Paschall Truck Lines, Murray, Kentucky
- Britton Transport – Grad Forks, North Dakota
- Carolina Cargo – Rock Hill, South Dakota
- Covenant Transport – Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Freymiller Inc. – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Hirshcbach Motor Lines – Dubuque, Iowa
- J&R Schugel Inc – New Ulm, Minnesota
- Maverick Transportation – Little Rock, Arkansas
- Millis Transfer – Black River Fall, Wisconsin
- Navajo Express – North Washington Co.
- Prime – Springfield, Missouri
- Schneider National – Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Tyson Foods – Springdale, Arkansas
- U.S. Xpress – Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Werner Enterprises – Omaha, Nebraska
Trucking Companies That Hire Felons – 5 Years After Release
- Barr-Nunn Transportation – Granger, Iowa
- Groendyke Transport – Enid, Oklahoma
- Melton Truck Lines – Catoosa, Oklahoma
- P.G.T. Trucking – Aliquippa, PA
- Roehl Transport – Marshfield, Wisconsin
- Stevens Transport – Dallas, TX
- Tango Transport – Shreveport, Louisiana
Trucking Companies That Hire Felons – 10 Years After Release
- Crete Carriers – Lincoln, Nebraska
- C.R. England Inc., – Salt Lake City, Utah
- Dick Laven Trucking – Bradford, Ohio
- J.B. Hunt – Lowell, Arkansas
- Swift Transportation – Phoenix, Arizona
Related > Truck Driver Skills – Tips, Tricks + Things All CDL Drivers Should Know
CDL Grants For Felons
There is a government grant program available geared to job training for felons.
Check here for details and program eligibility.
Tax Credit For Hiring a Felon
It’s good to know there are tax credits available for employers who hire a felon for a job in their company.
I believe felons deserve a fair shake and a second chance.
This employer incentive program will give an employer that little boost that it may take to give deserving individuals a job.
Learn more about the Hiring a Felon Tax Credit.
F.A.Q.
Depending on the charge. Certain crimes will not allow you to hold a CDL. Be sure to check into the details before wasting your time applying to truck driving schools and programs.
First of all, they can easily find out if you have a criminal record. Secondly, if they don’t find out right away, they will eventually and then because you have lied you won’t be able to continue in a truck driving training program. Be honest. You’ll get a lot better results if you do.
This can depend on if you were actually driving while you got the drug charge and other factors.
Yes, felons can hold a CDL. But in order to get truck driver training and be allowed to hold a CDL, it heavily depends on exactly what the crime was and how long ago the crime took place.
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