Who can I drive for with a felony conviction??

Discussion in 'Trucking Jobs' started by central mi., Feb 19, 2007.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    After doing a little research about who I want to drive for when I get out of school ; I have discovered that with my felony conviction 32 years ago at the age of 18 ; I am not allowed into Canada. Any one else have this problem? I wanted to drive for Roehl , but tha dam burst today. Does anyone know of a good company that you can work for that will keep you out of canada? Seems like my TSA FBI background check for my haz-mat endorsement last year would be indeed worth something ; but I guess you will always be punished for your mistakes ; even as a teenager.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. lil daddy

    lil daddy Light Load Member

    85
    124
    Jan 18, 2007
    0
    Don't get discouraged, there are companies out there that will hire you felony or not. You may have to do a little more reseach in your job hunt, but if thats all thats on your record you should'nt have any problem. Trucking is just like any other workforce, we're not all saints and regardless to what some here will say, no ones perfect. If we were all judged on the mistakes we made as teens, we would all be in trouble.

    I know that having your own truck would give you alot more options as far as who, how and where you run, but I don't know your level of experience. Running team may also be an option as I can imagine that some companies would be more apt to give you a chance by pairing you with another driver that they know and trust. Once he gives you a favorable reference the company would probably allow you to run on your own.

    Be honest and explain your situation up front, everybody deserves a second chance and there are many out there that will gladly give it to you. I personally know of at least 4 drivers who have done time for offenses and are convicted felons and have went on to lead sucessful careers in the trucking industry. I'm quite sure that there are many more. Just stay positive and never give up. I'm sure that you'll do fine. One company I know that'll hire you as a convicted felon is Sunco Carriers out of Atlanta(owner operators only). I'm sure there are many more, look for your smaller companies and llc's. Stay away from most of the larger companies, they'll only use and abuse you. Good Luck
     
  4. central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    Thanks for the encouragement as I can use it. I just got off the phone with a [dreaded] Werner recruiter and they told me they would just keep me out of Canada. I guess it could be worse ; [swift] won"t hire any felons according to their website. I wish I had known I wasn't supposed to be Canada the last 3 times I went to the casino. I could have donated to the indians instead. I just wish I could find a local job here ; the economy and the weather here both suck!!
     
  5. BigPappa

    BigPappa Light Load Member

    105
    6
    Jan 29, 2007
    Keller, TX
    0
    Well, if you find a company that is willing to hire you please let me know. I am in the same situation except my felony is much more recent. Have you thought about getting it expunged? This way no one can see that you have a record and you would have no problems going to Canada.
     
  6. central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    I have talked to a few companies and they will hire me. They all say that felonies have to be at least 10 years old , and you still can't go into Canada. They all say that will not dispatch you into Canada as a precaution if by chance you get turned away at the border. One company said that might not be such a bad thing . Probably true ; I've seen the border crossing in Detroit too many times and know what a pain it can be.
     
  7. Dr Demented

    Dr Demented Light Load Member

    202
    49
    Feb 25, 2007
    Delphi, IN
    0
    I thought you didn't have to even mention it if it's over 10 years old...did you get your Hazmat endorsement? I've been considering getting mine, but worry that my convictions when I was a teen would mean a waste of $100...I had a misdemeanor for pot when I was 18 and one for carrying a pocket knife in California (yeah I know...dumb) when I was 20....I'm 35 now and been out of trouble a long time...over 12 years...
     
  8. Dr Demented

    Dr Demented Light Load Member

    202
    49
    Feb 25, 2007
    Delphi, IN
    0
    Also...I heard that if it's been long enough and your felony not so bad, Canada would give you an exception...although I wouldn't wanna drive there anyway...heh...
     
  9. central mi.

    central mi. Bobtail Member

    34
    0
    Feb 17, 2007
    0
    Yes , I also thought you didn't have to say anything if it was over 10 years old . Appearantly that is not the case. I guess they can go back however long they wish. I paid $25 last week to have a national background check done on myself and sure enough ; a felony conviction from 1975 was on there. That didn,t have any effect on my FBI background check for my haz-mat renewal last year as it has to only be longer than 7 years for them. I wonder how many {GOOD JOBS} I have been turned down for over the years because I didn't list having a felony because it was so long ago. I guess you can claim some kind of re-habilation status in Canada ; but you have to pay around a grand for it. Its not worth that kind of money to have the privilege to drive there for me so I guess thats not in the cards.
     
  10. Moriarti

    Moriarti Medium Load Member

    316
    159
    Jan 15, 2007
    NW Indiana
    0
    according to their website, KLLM doesn't do Canada, or NYC.

    I'm sure they're not the only one, but since that was in my short-term memory, thought I'd pass it along.
     
  11. Brickman

    Brickman Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    12,905
    12,201
    Sep 17, 2006
    WY
    0
    Going to Canada with a felony is only on a CDL. Not as a tourist. I know it doesn't make much sense.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  • Thread Status:
    Not open for further replies.