Am I Hirable? (Criminal History)

Hello! I have a question - I have already been rejected by one company for on the job training because I am currently on deferred adjudication. Meaning I'm on probation but once my time is up my record is cleared. I am on deferred for two 2nd degree felonies in Texas - one is drug possession and the other is burglary. Stevens Transport is the company I applied to. They told me I have to completed my deferred adjudication before they can move forward with my application. Does anyone know if this is going to be the case everywhere? Should I expect this response from most if not all companies? I don't want to waste my time pursuing trucking and training if no one is going to hire me.

Hey Chris, and welcome to our forum!

You are in a difficult situation. Most of the time when a person is "on paper" like you, they can't even leave their home county without getting "permission." Of course, each state handles their programs differently. Hopefully yours is more lenient.

Many people on probation aren't allowed to cross state lines. That would make a trucking career terribly difficult. Typically you would also need to meet with your probation officer once a month in a scheduled meeting. That's a logistical problem for your employer to add to their responsibilities of dealing with a rookie driver.

For whatever reason, I've had a few newly licensed drivers reach out to me for help with this same issue. I was able to help maybe two of them get hired while on probation, but it took effort, help, and willing cooperation from their probation officers.

Your situation is made more difficult by a really tight labor market. Trucking companies have the unusual luxury of being very selective when hiring drivers right now. There is so much excess capacity in trucking these days. I tried to park at one of our terminals two days ago. There was no parking available. I've never seen that. There is that much equipment sitting around that isn't needed right now.

Your best bet is to make trucking a long term goal for now. One way you can do that is by being very proactive with your supervision requirements. Do everything they ask and do it timely.

Get this behind you. Prove to yourself you can function in society and provide for yourself and a family while keeping everything above suspicion. You'll be proud of your accomplishments and have realized the rewarding experience of reaching a long term goal.

Trucking jobs aren't going anywhere. They will still be here when you are more qualified. Look at it responsibly and with anticipation. Allow yourself to do something else for now while working off the deferred adjudication.

Keep in mind what deferred adjudication really is. They are giving you a chance at avoiding a conviction. You haven't completely avoided it yet. They are putting it off to see if you are committed to changing your lifestyle. If you are willing, you will endure the directives they dictate. They are actually helping you reach your long term goal. Run with it Brutha!

Reach that goal and handle yourself responsibly. That same principle is what will help you be successful in trucking. Go for it!

If you want to continue pursuing this while on paper, you will need a letter from your probation officer stating you are free to cross state lines, and it must show them willing and flexible in working out your supervisory meetings. That's going to be a hard sale to your officer and your prospective employer. I highly recommend getting the probation behind you and then giving this all you've got.

I wish you the best my friend!

Fortunately I have been marked as a very low level case. This being so I never have to meet with an officer in person. I do all my reporting and payments online. I am allowed to cross state lines I just have to inform my officer when doing so.

Ask them for a letter written on the county's letterhead stating those things. Any company willing to hire you will need a copy of that letter.

Try applying with TransAm and Western Express. Get the letter first, and make sure you provide it to the recruiter. I don't think either of those companies provides training for your CDL. In your case, you may have to pay your way or look into government grants for CDL school.

You will have to be persistent. Stay in touch with us. There are plenty of people here who can advise you as you try to get your foot in the door.

Just a little add-on to Old School's wise advice. Use any time you have to read up on this site and practice the High Road path. That's what allowed me to enter this industry last year with as much knowledge and preparation I could have before actually doing it, making for a much easier transition. I hope you get to where you want to be.

Prime wants 10 years from the completion of sentence on any felonies.

Good luck