According to a study by the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, the transportation industry employed over 13.3 million people in 2017. Out of this, approximately 3.6 million workers worked in commercial driving roles. While many people have a clean record, some unfortunate people suffer the consequences of their actions and get convicted for a felony. However, they have the right to start their lives afresh, and the real question here is – How to get commercial driving job after felony conviction?
How to Get Commercial Driving Job after Felony Conviction?
If you are looking for an answer to this question, then you have come to the right place. It is not easy for a felon to get a job with a criminal record attached to their name. But, due to the driver shortage, many companies have eased out their rules on hiring felons as commercial drivers. So yes, it is possible to get a job after felony conviction.
Several transportation companies are willing to look past the criminal records of the person. But, only if they qualify for their basic tests and fit the criteria. Getting a commercial driving job after felony is easier for a person who has a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Conditions Where Getting Commercial Driving Jobs after Felony Becomes Difficult
Even though the trucking companies have eased out their rules and regulations regarding hiring felons, there are certain vehicle-related crimes that prohibit you from receiving your CDL. These are:
- causing a disastrous accident of a driver or pedestrian by reckless or negligent driving
- committing a felony using a commercial vehicle
- manslaughter of the first or second degree with a motor vehicle
The above discussed conditions make it difficult for a person to get a commercial driving job after a felony.
Some other felonies that do not involve vehicles and will prohibit you from getting a commercial driver’s license. These are:
- extortion
- kidnapping
- treason
- bribery
- arson
- assault with the intentions of murder
Apart from these over-the-top felonies, every state has its own restrictions that might make you ineligible for obtaining your commercial driver’s license.
How to Get Commercial Driving Job after Felony without a CDL?
In case, you don’t have a CDL, you cannot apply for a commercial driving job. First, you will have to apply for a commercial driver’s license at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), or you can reach out to a trucking school that offers training to help you get your commercial driver’s license.
Getting a Commercial Driving Job after Felony
Once you have obtained your commercial driver’s license, an ex-felon can conduct thorough research of the market to look for companies that have flexible work policies. Once you have applied to those companies, the felon will have to go through several rounds of interviews and driving tests before they can be hired as a commercial driver for the company.
If you are an ex-felon who has no commercial driving experience, the carrier companies will pay for your training if you clear the eligibility criteria of the company.
List of companies that offer commercial driving jobs after felony
- Roadtex Transportation, Somerset, New Jersey
- Covenant Transport, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Millis Transfer, Black River Fall, Wisconsin
- U.S. Xpress, Chattanooga, Tennessee
- Melton Truck Lines, Catoosa, Oklahoma
There are certain companies that offer commercial driving jobs to felons, however, they have certain restrictions like the number of years after which they can offer a job to the person. Apart from this, the government has offered tax credits for employers who hire ex-felons as an initiative to help these felons in starting their life from a new point.
