Thinking about school, but..

Hey everyone, first and foremost thank you for this site and any potential responses. There is an abundance of information on here and it's been very helpful.
I am 43, from Iowa, and have been doing sheet metal fabrication at the same company for 10 years now. Since covid, things have just been getting slower and slower and last year was rough. Ended up just barely getting 60k, which doesn't work for me. I have been thinking about a career change and truck driving is where my interest is. Hazmat or LTL would be nice, eventually...But I do have a past. In 99, I had a possession of Marijuana with intent to deliver felony. A DUI in 01. Simple possession of Marijuana in 11 and 14...which also resulted in a felony since it was a 3rd offense. After that last one, I haven't touched anything since. We do random drug tests where I'm at now, plus I have zero want for that in my life.

I have done a ton of research and I'm sure I could get on somewhere, but do you think that any good opportunities would arise with that record? I have a couple food service places nearby that I wouldn't be opposed to. Also wouldn't mind doing some flatbed regionally for a couple years to stay active and gain experience. Thank you and I appreciate any input.

 

From what I gathered, after 7 years I should be good to go on hazmat. I'm well beyond that

 

I won't be expecting anything over 70k honestly until I get a year or two in. I've saved for a career change so that I would be able to do this the right way. Thanks for your response

 

Martin Bros Distributing (can't find much about their felony policies), PFG and Sysco are all hiring by me. I'm in the Waterloo/Cedar Rapids area

 

Yes sir, I'm about 70 miles from there and that's one of the places I've talked to. I actually applied a while back and when they called she said the schooling was provided if you lived in the Mt. Sterling area. But she said they were accepting right out of school. I've seen mixed reviews on their policy on hiring felons.