Catch 22 For Former Felons

My husband just finished CDL school. He now has his class A CDL with hazmat and tanker endorsements and has an appointment next week for his TWIC.

Prior to going to CDL school and while in CDL school, he was always upfront and honest about his prior felony convictions. All are more than 7 years old (non violent), his driving record for the past 10 years is spotless. What nobody told him before going to CDL school and getting his CDL is that nobody will hire him because he has no verifiable work history for the 7 years while he was incarcerated. Even the prison system educated the guys on trucking as a viable career option upon release.

All the carriers’ recruiters who came to his school told him his criminal past would be no problem. So it’s no big deal to have been a former felon, apparently, but it’s an automatic disqualifier that he wasn’t employed while incarcerated. Seems like that’s very misleading of the school to have taken nearly $5000 for classes to only find out after the fact that the lack of work history would now be an issue.

All the companies who claimed they were “felon friendly,” e.g. Swift, Covenant, among others, have already shot him down just because of the lack of work history. This makes no sense to us. How can he ever get work experience if companies won’t hire him to begin with? Does he now have to take some other job in another industry for the next 7 years to have a verifiable work history before he can actually utilize his CDL (which expires in 5 years)?

There’s gotta be companies out there that will hire him, no? He’s so discouraged. Even the companies that Trucking Truth sent his way based on the basic criteria have already shot him down for that sole reason. Please! Any leads on companies that will forgive the lack of employment would be much appreciated.

Also to note, we live within 5 miles of a major inland port terminal (Greer, SC) so you’d think with all the companies in our area there’s got to be something. Thanks in advance for any leads.

What was the nature of his felonies, and how long since he has completed his sentence (prison AND parole/probation)? Have you seen this link about companies that hire with Felonies . Companies like Western Express and Carolina Cargo are often mentioned as a 2nd chance company due to more leniency so you could always check those out as well. I admit being referred to as 2nd chance is misleading they have drivers who have clean records that have got their start there and continue to work there.

What was the nature of his felonies, and how long since he has completed his sentence (prison AND parole/probation)? Have you seen this link about companies that hire with Felonies . Companies like Western Express and Carolina Cargo are often mentioned as a 2nd chance company due to more leniency so you could always check those out as well. I admit being referred to as 2nd chance is misleading they have drivers who have clean records that have got their start there and continue to work there.

His felonies were non violent property crimes (burglary). He was released April 2019, so has been on parole for 9 months. In that time he has worked and concurrently went to CDL school and got his license and endorsements.

I hadn’t seen that specific link before but I know he’s already applied to several companies on that list. Off the top of my head, he’s applied to Swift (no) Covenant (no), Averitt (waiting on response), G&P (Not hiring). I know there are others, but I can’t recall.

It’s not the felony that’s the issue with any of these companies. It’s purely the lack of work history. Do Carolina Cargo and Western Express not require verifiable employment from the past 10 years? That’s the only snag he keeps hitting.

Fresh into industry they want 3 years.....Or letters from people who know him and state his character etc Maybe even his parole officer can give him a good reference, he was model prisoner , etc etc.... I drive teams with CRST, you should see some the people they bring in ! hahahaha Cedar Rapids main hub / school even has worse "looking" people sure lot are past felons or did time....

Sucks dealing with not getting a chance to prove himself. Very Good Luck in this endeavor don't give up hope !!

I was thinking the same thing! Letters from parole officer, prison Warden, lawyer, ETC... would prove where he was and why there is only a limited work history

I was thinking the same thing! Letters from parole officer, prison Warden, lawyer, ETC... would prove where he was and why there is only a limited work history

Good idea on reference from parole officer. I’ll suggest that. We’re not giving up hope. There’s gotta be a company out there for him.

Nina, this is a common problem for people who go through private schooling instead of Paid CDL Training Programs. Having a CDL is no guarantee you'll land a job. I've had prison systems contact me in the past asking questions about preparing inmates for getting their CDL. I tell them every time that trucking is not the industry to get started with fresh out of prison. They need to start with a job or career that has a small liability risk to prove themselves trustworthy again, then trucking will be an opportunity.

Try every company on that list we gave you. Try every company you can find. I wish I could help. I just don't know who anyone who will give someone a shot in that position.

It’s not the felony that’s the issue with any of these companies. It’s purely the lack of work history.

No, it's the fact that he just got out of prison. Most companies won't tell you why they're not hiring him, so you're making that assumption based on what one or two companies may have said. I can assure you most companies won't hire someone who just got released, especially on burglary felonies. They want to see him prove himself worthy of the responsibility of operating their very expensive 80,000-pound vehicle on public highways and trusting them with potentially millions of dollars worth of equipment and freight.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I wish I had more to offer than what others have already suggested. This is a question I get almost daily in private emails. I've never been able to help people in that situation find an opportunity.

My husband just finished CDL school. He now has his class A CDL with hazmat and tanker endorsements and has an appointment next week for his TWIC.

Prior to going to CDL school and while in CDL school, he was always upfront and honest about his prior felony convictions. All are more than 7 years old (non violent), his driving record for the past 10 years is spotless. What nobody told him before going to CDL school and getting his CDL is that nobody will hire him because he has no verifiable work history for the 7 years while he was incarcerated. Even the prison system educated the guys on trucking as a viable career option upon release.

All the carriers’ recruiters who came to his school told him his criminal past would be no problem. So it’s no big deal to have been a former felon, apparently, but it’s an automatic disqualifier that he wasn’t employed while incarcerated. Seems like that’s very misleading of the school to have taken nearly $5000 for classes to only find out after the fact that the lack of work history would now be an issue.

All the companies who claimed they were “felon friendly,” e.g. Swift, Covenant, among others, have already shot him down just because of the lack of work history. This makes no sense to us. How can he ever get work experience if companies won’t hire him to begin with? Does he now have to take some other job in another industry for the next 7 years to have a verifiable work history before he can actually utilize his CDL (which expires in 5 years)?

There’s gotta be companies out there that will hire him, no? He’s so discouraged. Even the companies that Trucking Truth sent his way based on the basic criteria have already shot him down for that sole reason. Please! Any leads on companies that will forgive the lack of employment would be much appreciated.

Also to note, we live within 5 miles of a major inland port terminal (Greer, SC) so you’d think with all the companies in our area there’s got to be something. Thanks in advance for any leads.

If you can't get on OTR , check Craigs list for your area for local jobs to include trash hauling. Do what you need to do for a year or so and keep applying elsewhere for the job he wants.