Second Chance Guide — CDL Companies & Schools Directory
CDL schools and trucking carriers across all 50 states — with felony hiring policies documented for each entry. Most directories list companies. This one tells you which ones will actually consider your application, what they look at, and what disqualifies you before you spend money on training. Updated April 2026.
Browse by Region
Each regional directory covers CDL schools, paid carrier training programs, and OTR and regional carriers — with felony hiring policies documented for each entry. Select your region to find options in your state.
How CDL Companies Actually Evaluate Records
Understanding this before applying saves time and money. The decision to hire a driver with a felony record is shaped by federal law, state CDL rules, and the carrier’s insurance policy — three things that operate independently and each can block an application the others would approve.
There are two separate layers to getting a CDL driving job with a felony record. The first is whether you can legally obtain a CDL. The second is whether a carrier will hire you once you have one. Passing the first does not guarantee the second.
| Factor | What it means | Who controls it |
|---|---|---|
| Federal disqualifiers | Drug trafficking, vehicle felonies, and certain other offenses permanently bar CDL issuance. Non-negotiable. | FMCSA / federal law |
| HazMat endorsement | Any felony conviction bars the TSA security threat assessment required for HazMat. Cannot be waived. | TSA |
| State CDL rules | Most states follow federal disqualifiers only. Some add restrictions. Confirm with your state DMV before enrolling in training. | State DMV |
| Carrier insurance | Insurers set their own rules — often stricter than federal law. A carrier may want to hire you but cannot get you insured. This is the most common hidden barrier. | Carrier’s insurer |
| Carrier hiring policy | Each carrier sets its own standards within the above constraints. Time elapsed, offense type, and driving record are the primary variables. | Carrier |
| FMCSA PSP report | The Pre-Employment Screening Program report shows your full DOT inspection and violation history. Carriers pull this separately from a standard background check. | FMCSA |
How Offense Type Affects Your Application
Carrier decisions are heavily influenced by offense type — often more than by time elapsed. Understanding where your conviction falls tells you which carriers are realistic targets before you apply.
| Offense type | Typical carrier response |
|---|---|
| Drug trafficking | Disqualifying at virtually all carriers. Federal law also bars CDL issuance in many cases. |
| Violent felonies | Disqualifying at most carriers regardless of time elapsed. Insurance requirements are the primary barrier. |
| Sex offenses | Disqualifying universally. No carrier pathway exists. |
| DUI / DWI | Heavily scrutinized. Most carriers apply a 3–7 year look-back. Multiple DUIs are typically disqualifying. |
| Non-violent drug possession | Reviewed case-by-case. Time elapsed and clean driving record are the key factors. |
| Theft / fraud / property crimes | Reviewed individually. Less likely to trigger automatic disqualification than violent or trafficking offenses. |
| Other non-violent felonies | Most accessible category. Carriers with case-by-case policies frequently approve applicants with 5+ years elapsed and a clean MVR. |
The full breakdown of federal disqualifiers, state-level rules, and the carrier review process is in the main guide: Can a Felon Get a CDL?
Before You Apply to Any School or Carrier
Three steps that save time and money before committing to any CDL program or carrier application.
1
Confirm your CDL eligibility first
Contact your state DMV and confirm whether your conviction affects CDL issuance before enrolling in any training program. If your offense is a federal disqualifier, training money is wasted. One phone call.
2
Pull your FMCSA PSP report
Carriers pull your Pre-Employment Screening Program report — a DOT-specific record separate from a standard background check. Know what it shows before a carrier sees it. Order at psp.fmcsa.dot.gov for $10.
3
Disclose early and consistently
Inconsistencies between what you disclose and what the background check finds are a harder barrier than the underlying conviction. Carriers that review felonies individually respond better to upfront, complete disclosure than to omissions discovered later.
CDL school or carrier wanting to reach second-chance candidates? Get listed in this directory →
Note on felony policy accuracy: Carrier and school policies change. Always confirm current policy directly with the carrier or school before enrolling in training or turning down other opportunities. Listings reflect documented practices as of early 2026 — use them as a starting point, not a guarantee. For the full guide: Can a Felon Get a CDL?