Texas, Felony From 2020 & Currently on Parole, Can I Truck?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some straight advice from people actually in the trucking industry before I spend the money to put myself through CDL school.

I’m 53 and live in the DFW area of Texas. I’ve spent most of my career in recruiting and sales, but I’m seriously considering making a career change and getting my Class A CDL.

Here’s my situation. I want to put everything on the table because I’m not looking to hide my past from a company.

My convictions are from 2020 and include aggravated assault on a peace officer and two assault charges. I served my time, was released in October 2024, and I’m currently on parole through 2030.

My parole officer can authorize interstate travel for employment, so being on parole does not necessarily keep me from running OTR.

I also have two older DWIs, from 2013 and 2019.

I understand that my background is going to close some doors. I’m not expecting anyone to overlook it or give me anything. I’m trying to find out whether there are companies or smaller carriers willing to look at the person, the time that has passed, and what I’ve done with my life since then.

I’m willing to pay for CDL school myself. I’m willing to run OTR, stay out for extended periods, work hard, start at the bottom and earn my experience. I’m not looking for the perfect first trucking job.

What I DON’T want to do is spend several thousand dollars getting my CDL only to find out afterward that nobody can hire me because of the combination of the felony, parole and older DWIs.

So I’d really appreciate hearing from drivers, owner-operators or anyone familiar with hiring who has actually seen someone with a background similar to mine get hired.

Are there companies I should contact BEFORE enrolling in CDL school?

Are there smaller carriers around Texas or elsewhere that I should talk to?

Has anyone here personally gotten into trucking while still on parole or supervision?

If you know a company that might realistically give someone in my situation an opportunity, I’d appreciate the name.

I made some serious mistakes in my life. I did my time. I’m not asking anyone to erase my past. I’m trying to build the next chapter of my life through work, and if trucking gives me that opportunity, I’m ready to earn it.

Thanks for any advice or leads.

 

Thanks. That’s one of the things I’m trying to figure out before paying for school. I have spoken directly with one carrier and disclosed my convictions, parole and DWIs. Their recruiter said she can run my records once I start school to determine whether I qualify, and they expect four new-driver training spots in January. So I’m trying to identify a few more carriers willing to actually review my specific record rather than assume I’ll qualify.

 

Thanks. That’s one of the things I’m trying to figure out before paying for school. I have spoken directly with one carrier and disclosed my convictions, parole and DWIs. Their recruiter said she can run my records once I start school to determine whether I qualify, and they expect four new-driver training spots in January. So I’m trying to identify a few more carriers willing to actually review my specific record rather than assume I’ll qualify.