Are There Any Truck Driving Companies That Hire Felons?

If you’re interested in driving a truck for a living, you’re probably curious about your chances of getting a job after truck driver training. Are there any truck driving companies that hire felons?

Once you’ve qualified for your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), you need to find a trucking company willing to give you that vital second chance. Some will. Some won’t.

Some truck driving companies that hire felons will allow more recent convictions on a case-by-case basis. Others won’t consider hiring a felon until 5, 7, or 10 years have passed since the conviction, and even then, they evaluate applications based on the nature and severity of the felony.

More Trucking Companies Are Willing To Hire Felons Now Than In the Past

In recent years, some trucking companies have introduced more felon-friendly hiring policies because of the truck driver shortage. Employers can also receive a Tax Credit for hiring a felon.

In this guide, we list the most felon-friendly trucking companies and tell you which ones will consider drivers with recent felonies and which ones have a longer disqualification period for felons.

Before we look at truck driving companies that hire felons, let’s go over some important information that felons thinking about a career in trucking need to know.

You’ll Need A CDL To Drive Large Trucks

• You’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to drive large trucks weighing over 26,001 pounds.
• A CDL isn’t required to drive a small or light-weight box truck.
• A CDL is mandatory to drive large trucks like tractor-trailers, tankers, flatbeds, and box trucks weighing more than 26,001 pounds.
• You must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
• Some crimes disqualify you from CDL training.
• Several truck companies that hire felons also run truck driving schools or sponsor the cost of your tuition.
• Some trucking companies offer to reimburse the cost of your CDL training as long as you drive for them for a minimum period.
• For some trucking jobs, including transporting hazardous materials and making deliveries to ports and secure facilities, you’ll need a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) clearance, which you may not qualify for because of your felony.
• All new CDL holders have to pass a Department of Transportation (DOT) physical to get a medical card. You must have a valid DOT medical card to drive a commercial vehicle.
• Trucking companies that mainly run services into Canada won’t hire felons because felons can’t cross the Canadian border.

All Trucking Companies That Hire Felons Run Background Checks

• All the large trucking companies that hire felons run criminal background checks during the hiring process.
• Each trucking company has its own acceptance and disqualification criteria.
• Some trucking companies expect a minimum period to have passed since your conviction or since the completion of your sentence. Depending on the company, this could be as long as 10 years.
• Some trucking companies will hire recent felons on a case-by-case basis after reviewing their criminal history.
• DUI convictions and convictions involving theft, violence, and sexual assault are more likely to be disqualifying.
• Your background check will also obtain your Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) to check your driving record for traffic violations, and your driver’s license history for suspensions.

All Trucking Companies Carry Out Drug And Alcohol Testing

• Trucking companies are legally required to obtain a negative drug test when they hire a new driver.
• The Department of Transportation (DOT) also mandates random drug and alcohol testing for all CDL drivers.
• Drug and alcohol testing is required after an accident and when there is reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol use.
• Failing a drug test will result in suspension from duty, and you may lose your job. Then you will have to complete a Return To Duty program at your own expense before you can legally drive a commercial vehicle.

Speak To The Trucking Company Recruiter About Your Criminal Background

Often, trucking companies don’t run background checks until you attend orientation at their headquarters or regional hub, which can be hundreds of miles from home. You don’t want to travel all that way just to be turned down.

When you fill out a job application, speak to the company recruiter and ask about your chances of getting hired based on your felony and its age. Don’t hide anything about your criminal history. You must be completely truthful.

There’s usually an option on the job application form or pre-qualification form you can use to ask a recruiter to contact you, or you can contact a recruiter through the trucking company’s careers page on their website.

Trucking companies typically cover your travel and accommodation costs while you attend orientation, but they may refuse to pay for your return journey if you didn’t disclose an offense that is discovered when they run your background check.

Truck Driving Companies That Hire Recent Felons

These trucking companies sometimes hire felons with recent convictions. Having a felony conviction, no matter its age, won’t be an automatic disqualification.

However, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be hired because each employer will review your criminal background before making a decision.

Trucking companies that hire felons are still selective about who they hire because drivers handle trucks and loads worth over $100,000. Their insurance providers also place restrictions on cover, which means certain offenses will be disqualifying.

The majority of these companies require drivers to already hold a CDL, but some trucking companies will pay you while you train for your license at their CDL training school.

Averitt Transportation

• No DUI or reckless driving convictions in the past 5 years.
• Must have at least 6 months of CDL experience.
• Apply – https://www.averittcareers.com/driving

Covenant Logistics

• May hire recent felons with debt-related offenses or non-violent domestic convictions, convictions need to be at least 5 years old.
• May hire applicants on probation or parole.
• Apply – https://drive4covenant.com/

Dart Transit Company

• Must have a minimum of 6 months’ CDL experience.
• Apply – https://drive4covenant.com/

Falcon Trucking

• No DUI in the past 5 years.
• Minimum age 23.
• Must have at least 3 months’ experience driving a tractor/trailer, OR
• Recent CDL graduates will be paired with a trainer.
• Apply – http://driveforfalcon.com/drive-for-us/

Freymiller Inc.

• You need to have 6 months of CDL driving experience.
• Apply – https://drive4freymiller.com/

J.B. Hunt

• Minimum 3 months’ CDL experience in the previous 6 months, including CDL school, OR
• 6 months’ experience in the previous 12 months.
• Apply – https://drivers.jbhunt.com/

JBS Carriers

• Known as a felon-friendly company.
• Truck driver training program available.
• Apply – http://jbscarriers.com/opportunities.php

Hirschbach Motor Lines

• 6 months’ CDL driving experience required.
• Apply – https://hirschbach.com/

J&R Schugel Inc.

• Hires felons on a case-by-case basis.
• Apply – https://jrschugel.com/careers/

Knight Transportation

• No DUI in the last 10 years.
• You’ll need at least 3 months of current CDL experience.
• Apply – https://driveknight.com/

Lonestar Transportation

• Minimum 6 months’ CDL driving experience.
• Minimum age 22.
• No DUI in the past 5 years.
• Apply – https://lonestar-llc.com/flatbed-company-driver-jobs/

Maverick Transportation

• Truck driver training program available.
• Apply – http://www.maverickusa.com/

May Trucking Company

• No DUI in past 5 years.
• No reckless driving convictions in the past 5 years.
• Apply – https://www.maytruckingdrivers.com/

Millis Transfer

• Truck driver training program available.
• Apply – https://www.millistransfer.com/experienced-drivers/hiring-regions

PAM Transport

• No DUI in the previous 5 years.
• Fully paid training program available.
• Minimum age 22.
• Apply – https://www.pamtransport.com/

Prime Inc.

• Truck driver training program available.
• Must be eligible for Hazmat endorsement and TWIC card.
• Apply – https://www.primeinc.com/

Roehl Transport Inc.

• Convictions for job-related offenses will be disqualifying.
• Will not hire with a DUI conviction.
• Paid CDL training program available.
• Apply – https://www.roehl.jobs/

Schneider National

• Some positions require 3 – 6 months’ experience and Hazmat endorsement.
• No drug offenses or DUI in the past 5 years.
• Truck driver training program available.
• Apply – https://schneider.com/

Stevens Transport

• Paid CDL training program.
• Minimum age is 22.
• Will not hire drivers on probation or parole.
• No DUI in the last 5 years.
• Apply – https://www.stevenstransport.com/drivers/

Tyson Foods

• No DUI in the past 8 years.
• Truck driver training available.
• Apply – https://drivefortysonfoods.com/

U.S. Xpress

• Felony theft must be over 10 years old.
• DUI must be over 5 years old.
• Apply – https://www.usxpress.com/drivers/

Werner Enterprises

• No DUI in the previous 3 years.
• Apply – https://www.werner.com/truck-drivers/truck-driving-jobs/

Western Express

• New CDL holders are welcome to apply as a trainee driver.
• Otherwise, you’ll need 3 months’ minimum CDL driving experience.
• Apply – https://drivewithwestern.com/

XPO Logistics

• Paid CDL training available.
• No DUI in the last 5 years.
• Must be able to obtain Hazmat endorsement.
• https://www.xpo.com/driver-jobs/

Truck Driving Companies That Hire Felons With Convictions Five Years Or Older

You can apply to these trucking companies when your felony is at least five years old. There’s no guarantee you’ll be hired, though, and your criminal history will be reviewed.

A.D. Transport Express

• Need at least 8 months’ CDL driving experience..

Barr Nunn Transportation Need

• Need 1 year of CDL driving experience.
• Must be at least 23.
• No DUI in the last 7 years.
• Apply – https://barr-nunntruckingjobs.com/

Bennett Motor Express

• Felony must be at least 7 years old.
• Minimum age 23.
• No DUI in past 5 years.
• Need 1 year of verifiable CDL experience.
• Apply – http://www.drive4bme.com/

Boyd Bros Transportation

• Minimum age to apply is 22.
• You need 3 months of CDL driving experience.
• Truck driver training available.
• Apply – https://drive4boyd.com/

Groendyke Transport

• Minimum age 23.
• Need tank and Hazmat endorsements.
• Minimum 1 year of CDL driving experience.
• Follows TSA guidelines on permanent and temporary disqualifying offenses,
• Apply – https://groendyke.com/careers

Koch Trucking

• Minimum 1 year’s CDL driving experience.
• No DUI in past 5 years.
• Apply – https://kochtrucking.com/become-a-driver/

Mesilla Valley Transportation

• No violent crimes
• No multiple offenses in the previous 7 years.
• No DUI in the last 3 years.
• Training program available
• Apply – https://driveformvt.com/cdl-jobs/?

Melton Truck Lines

• No DUI within the last 5 years.
• Apply – https://meltontruck.com/requirements/

Paschall Truck Lines

• You’ll need 6 months of CDL driving experience.
• Apply – https://ptl-inc.com/driving-careers/

PGT Trucking

• Accepts drivers without previous experience, but you must already have your CDL.
• Apply – https://www.pgttrucking.com/Drive-Flatbed/

Trucking Companies That Hire Felons With Convictions Over Ten Years Old

These trucking companies will consider candidates with older felony convictions after a review of the criminal history revealed on the background report.

C.R. England Inc.

• Paid CDL training program.
• Will not hire with a DUI.
• Apply – https://www.crengland.com/jobboard/

Crete Carriers

(Crete Carriers also runs Shaffer Trucking and Hunt Transportation)

• You must be able to obtain a TWIC card.
• Need at least 1 year of CDL experience, unless a recent CDL school graduate
• No DUI in the last 5 years.
• Apply – https://cretecarrier.com/company-driver/

Dick Lavy Trucking

• Minimum 12 months of recent verifiable driving experience.
• Apply – https://dicklavytrucking.com/employment/hiring-areas/

Dutch Maid Logistics

• Drivers need at least 6 months of CDL experience.
• Training program available.
• Apply – https://dutchmaid.com/careers/

Navajo Express

• 1 year’s driving experience, OR
• A recent graduate of a CDL school.
• No DUI in the past 5 years.
• Apply – https://www.navajoexpress.com/careers

P&S Transportation

• Must be able to obtain a TWIC card.
• No DUI in the previous 3 years.
• 2 years of CDL driving experience required or 6 months of driving a flatbed.
• Apply – https://pstrans.com/careers/

Premier Transportation

• Minimum 6 months’ CDL driving experience.
• No drug or alcohol convictions in the previous 5 years.
• Apply – https://premiertransportation.com/

Star Fleet Trucking

• No drug or alcohol-related offenses.
• No habitual offenders.
• Apply – https://starfleettrucking.com/

Swift Transportation

• Paid CDL training program.
• No DUI in the past 5 years.
• Apply – https://www.swifttrans.com/careers/drivers

TMC Transportation

• Paid CDL training program.
• No DUI in the previous 10 years.
• No drug convictions in the last 10 years.
• Apply – https://www.tmctrans.com/drive-for-tmc/student-drivers/

Venture Logistics

• Minimum 9 months of truck driving experience.
• Must be able to drive a manual transmission.
• Apply – https://www.venturelogistics.com/drive-at-venture/

Other Ways To Find Trucking Companies That Hire Felons

The trucking companies we’ve listed above are all major national and regional carriers, but thousands of smaller trucking companies could get you started in your truck driving career.

You might even find your first trucking job hauling livestock, driving a dump truck on a construction site, working roadside recovery as a tow truck driver, or driving a truck at an oilfield.

Search For Local Trucking Jobs

To find a wider range of potential employers, search online for “trucking companies that hire felons near me” and see what results you get.

Local carriers have to compete with the national trucking companies for drivers, and many have less strict hiring policies.

Search For Truck Driving Jobs With Retailers And Distributors

Many companies hire truck drivers to work for them directly instead of outsourcing loads to trucking companies.

This type of employment can pay more, and jobs are usually regional or local, so you get more home time.

Use a job search website like indeed.com or monster.com to search for truck driving jobs, or look directly on a retailer’s careers website to see what opportunities they have open.

As an example, Walmart is one of the best companies for truck drivers with several years of experience behind the wheel.

First-year drivers at Walmart can earn up to $110,000 per year plus benefits. To find out more about Walmart truck driving jobs, visit https://careers.walmart.com/drivers-distribution-centers/drivers.

Wrapping Up

Working as a truck driver is an excellent option for felons. Truck drivers enjoy stable employment and an attractive salary. You could get your CDL training paid for, and some trucking companies even offer sign-on bonuses to attract drivers.

All trucking companies run criminal background checks and driving record checks, so your felony isn’t the only offense they’ll look at. Depending on the company, you may need a minimum level of commercial driving experience to be considered for employment.