Second Chance Guide — CDL Directory · Midwest Region
CDL schools and trucking carriers across the Midwest — with felony hiring policies documented for each entry. Covers paid CDL training programs, private schools, community college programs, and carriers with known second-chance hiring practices. Manually researched. Updated April 2026. For federal disqualifiers and state-level CDL rules, see the full guide: Can a Felon Get a CDL?
Jump to state:
Illinois
3 listings. Chicago is one of the largest trucking and intermodal hubs in the country — rail connections, LTL freight, and distribution all concentrate here. Illinois has a strong Ban the Box law (Illinois Human Rights Act) restricting when employers can ask about criminal history, giving applicants more time to make a first impression. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers.
160 Driving Academy
160 Driving Academy — Chicago
CDL School · Chicago, IL Felony-Friendly
Chicago campus with documented felony-friendly admissions. Class A training in 3–4 weeks. Career services advises on carrier match based on specific record type. Strong intermodal and regional carrier network accessible from this campus.
Felony policy: Explicitly accepts felony applicants. Career services provides carrier matching based on offense type — not a guarantee, but informed placement support.
Swift Transportation
Swift Transportation — Swift Academy
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (IL: Chicago hub) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost — repaid through miles. Heavy Chicago freight volume with intermodal and van truckload divisions. Felony disclosure required at application; background review completed before training enrollment begins.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies reviewed — time elapsed and post-release stability are key factors.
Schneider National
Schneider National
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (IL: Chicago intermodal) Case-by-Case
Major carrier with heavy Chicago intermodal operations. Van truckload, intermodal, and dedicated divisions all active in Illinois. Offers a paid CDL training program. Individual felony review through driver qualification process.
Felony policy: Individual review. Non-violent felonies 5+ years old with stable history considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Felony conviction within 3 years faces significant barriers.
CDL school or carrier operating in Illinois? Get listed in this directory →
Indiana
3 listings. Indianapolis sits at the intersection of I-65 and I-70 — two of the busiest freight corridors in the Midwest. Indiana’s manufacturing and distribution sector creates consistent CDL demand. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. WIOA funding available through Indiana’s WorkOne centers for qualifying CDL candidates.
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech Community College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Multiple campuses, IN Felony-Friendly
Indiana’s statewide community college system offers CDL training at multiple campuses. Significantly lower cost than private schools. WIOA funding available through WorkOne centers for qualifying reentry candidates. No felony exclusion at the public institution level.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway available. Find the nearest campus at ivytech.edu. Lower financial risk than private schools if a carrier later declines.
C.R. England
C.R. England — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (IN: I-65/I-70 routes) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost — repaid through miles. Temperature-controlled carrier with strong Indiana freight lane presence. Individual felony review by the driver qualification team before training enrollment begins.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies 7+ years old with clean driving history have cleared review. HazMat not available.
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (IN: Indianapolis terminal) 10-Year Look-Back
Major carrier with an Indianapolis terminal feeding Midwest freight lanes. Convictions older than 10 years with a clean post-conviction record may clear driver qualification review. Regional and OTR positions available.
Felony policy: 10-year look-back. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify regardless of age. HazMat not available. Clean MVR carries significant weight in review.
CDL school or carrier operating in Indiana? Get listed in this directory →
Iowa
3 listings. Iowa’s agriculture-heavy economy drives steady demand for CDL drivers in grain, livestock, and regional distribution transport. I-80 runs east-west across the state and is one of the highest-volume freight corridors in the country. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. WIOA funding available through IowaWORKS centers.
Iowa Western CC
Iowa Western Community College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Council Bluffs, IA Felony-Friendly
Public CDL training in Council Bluffs — directly across the Missouri River from Omaha, one of the Midwest’s largest trucking hubs. WIOA funding available through IowaWORKS. No felony exclusion at admission. Strong regional carrier access post-graduation.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway available. Location adjacent to Omaha creates strong post-graduation hiring opportunities with Nebraska-based carriers.
J.B. Hunt
J.B. Hunt Transport
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (I-80 corridor) Case-by-Case
Major carrier with heavy I-80 freight volume through Iowa. Intermodal, dedicated, and truckload divisions all running the corridor. Individual felony review — offense type and time since conviction are the primary factors.
Felony policy: Individual review. Non-violent felonies with elapsed time considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Full disclosure at application is essential — inconsistencies are a harder barrier than the record itself.
C.R. England
C.R. England — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (I-80 routes) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. Iowa sits on C.R. England’s core I-80 network connecting the Midwest to the coasts. Felony review conducted before training enrollment — you know where you stand before committing to the program.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies 7+ years old with clean MVR have cleared review. HazMat not available.
CDL school or carrier operating in Iowa? Get listed in this directory →
Kansas
3 listings. Kansas sits at the center of the country’s freight network — I-70 runs east-west and feeds into Kansas City, one of the Midwest’s largest distribution hubs. Agriculture and manufacturing drive steady CDL demand. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. WIOA funding available through Kansas Department of Commerce.
Flint Hills Tech
Flint Hills Technical College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Emporia, KS Felony-Friendly
Public CDL training in central Kansas at a significantly lower cost than private schools. WIOA funding available for qualifying candidates. No felony exclusion at admission. State-approved program recognized by Kansas and regional carriers.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway available through Kansas workforce centers. Confirm eligibility before enrolling.
Prime Inc.
Prime Inc. — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (KS/I-70 routes) Felony-Friendly
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. Kansas routes connect to Prime’s core Midwest and Southwest network. Explicitly felony-friendly — one of the few large carriers to publicly state this position. Refrigerated and flatbed freight available.
Felony policy: Explicitly felony-friendly. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies with clean MVR frequently approved. HazMat not available.
Swift Transportation
Swift Transportation — Swift Academy
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (KS/I-70 routes) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. Kansas City terminal feeds a dense Midwest freight network. Felony disclosure required at application — background review completed before training enrollment, so no wasted time if declined.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies reviewed with focus on time elapsed and post-release conduct.
CDL school or carrier operating in Kansas? Get listed in this directory →
Michigan
3 listings. Michigan’s automotive and manufacturing supply chains create consistent CDL demand across the Lower Peninsula. Detroit and Grand Rapids are the primary freight hubs. Michigan’s Clean Slate law seals some felony records — but sealed records can still appear on FMCSA PSP reports that carriers pull separately. Confirm CDL eligibility with the Michigan Secretary of State before enrolling in training.
Oakland CC
Oakland Community College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Auburn Hills, MI Felony-Friendly
Public CDL training in the Detroit metro at a fraction of private school cost. WIOA and Pell funding available — reentry candidates often qualify for both. No felony exclusion at admission. State-approved and recognized by Michigan carriers.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. Michigan Works! WIOA funding commonly available for justice-involved students. Lower cost reduces financial risk if a carrier later declines.
Prime Inc.
Prime Inc. — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (MI routes) Felony-Friendly
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. Michigan routes connect to Prime’s Midwest refrigerated and flatbed network. Explicitly felony-friendly with a stated policy of reviewing non-violent felony applicants individually.
Felony policy: Explicitly felony-friendly. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies with clean MVR frequently approved.
McLane Company
McLane Company
Regional Carrier · Michigan (statewide distribution) Case-by-Case
Grocery and foodservice distributor with Michigan distribution operations. Regional delivery routes — drivers return home regularly, which matters for people on supervision. Consistent schedule and steady freight. Individual felony review at distribution center level.
Felony policy: Individual review. Regional routes generally less restrictive than OTR. Non-violent felonies with stable post-conviction history considered. Home-time may benefit drivers with supervision reporting requirements.
CDL school or carrier operating in Michigan? Get listed in this directory →
Minnesota
3 listings. Minneapolis-St. Paul is a major Midwest distribution hub with strong demand for regional and OTR drivers. Minnesota follows federal CDL disqualifiers. The state has a robust workforce development system — WIOA funding through Minnesota’s CareerForce centers is commonly available for reentry candidates pursuing CDL training.
Saint Paul College
Saint Paul College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · St. Paul, MN Felony-Friendly
Public CDL training in the Twin Cities metro. WIOA and Pell funding available through Minnesota CareerForce — reentry candidates commonly qualify. No felony exclusion at admission. Urban campus location provides access to Twin Cities regional carrier hiring.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway commonly available for justice-involved candidates through CareerForce centers. Confirm eligibility before paying out of pocket.
Prime Inc.
Prime Inc. — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (MN routes) Felony-Friendly
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. Minnesota routes connect to Prime’s Upper Midwest refrigerated network. Explicitly felony-friendly — non-violent felony applicants reviewed individually rather than automatically rejected.
Felony policy: Explicitly felony-friendly. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies with clean MVR frequently approved.
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (MN/Upper Midwest routes) 10-Year Look-Back
Major carrier with Upper Midwest freight volume running through Minnesota. Convictions older than 10 years with a clean post-conviction record may clear driver qualification review. Regional positions available in addition to OTR.
Felony policy: 10-year look-back. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify regardless of age. HazMat not available. Clean MVR is essential.
CDL school or carrier operating in Minnesota? Get listed in this directory →
Missouri
3 listings. Missouri is home to Prime Inc. — one of the most felony-friendly large carriers in the country, headquartered in Springfield. Kansas City and St. Louis are both major distribution hubs. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. WIOA funding available through Missouri’s Job Centers statewide.
Ranken Technical
Ranken Technical College — CDL Program
CDL School · St. Louis, MO Case-by-Case
Technical college with CDL training in St. Louis. Pell funding available. Advises applicants with felony records on career viability and carrier hire likelihood before enrollment. Strong St. Louis regional carrier connections post-graduation.
Felony policy: Case-by-case review. Will advise on realistic carrier options based on offense type before enrollment. Pell funding may reduce out-of-pocket cost — check eligibility.
Prime Inc.
Prime Inc. — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Springfield, MO (Nationwide) Felony-Friendly
Headquartered in Springfield — this is Prime’s home state. Paid CDL training with no upfront cost. One of the few large carriers to publicly state a felony-friendly hiring position. Refrigerated, flatbed, and tanker divisions available post-graduation.
Felony policy: Explicitly felony-friendly. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies with clean MVR frequently approved. HazMat not available.
J.B. Hunt
J.B. Hunt Transport
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (MO: KC & St. Louis hubs) Case-by-Case
Major carrier with strong Missouri freight volume through both Kansas City and St. Louis. Intermodal, dedicated, and truckload divisions active in the state. Individual felony review — offense type and time elapsed are the primary factors.
Felony policy: Individual review. Non-violent felonies with elapsed time considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Full disclosure at application is critical.
CDL school or carrier operating in Missouri? Get listed in this directory →
Nebraska
3 listings. Werner Enterprises is headquartered in Omaha — making Nebraska one of the more carrier-accessible states in the Midwest for CDL job seekers. I-80 runs the length of the state and is among the highest-volume freight corridors in the country. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. WIOA funding available through Nebraska’s American Job Centers.
Metro CC Omaha
Metropolitan Community College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Omaha, NE Felony-Friendly
Public CDL training in Omaha — directly in the backyard of Werner Enterprises and other major carriers. WIOA and Pell funding available. No felony exclusion at admission. Proximity to carrier headquarters creates strong post-graduation hiring access.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway available through Nebraska’s American Job Centers. Omaha location gives graduates direct access to Werner and other major carrier hiring events.
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises
OTR Carrier · Omaha, NE (Nationwide) 10-Year Look-Back
Headquartered in Omaha — this is Werner’s home state. One of the five largest US carriers with van truckload, temperature-controlled, and dedicated divisions. Convictions older than 10 years with clean post-conviction record may clear review.
Felony policy: 10-year look-back. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify regardless of age. HazMat not available. Clean MVR is essential — driving record carries significant weight.
Schneider National
Schneider National
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (NE/I-80 routes) Case-by-Case
Major carrier with heavy I-80 Nebraska freight volume. Van truckload and intermodal divisions both active on this corridor. Offers a paid CDL training program. Individual felony review through driver qualification process.
Felony policy: Individual review. Non-violent felonies 5+ years old with stable history considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Felony conviction within 3 years faces significant barriers.
CDL school or carrier operating in Nebraska? Get listed in this directory →
North Dakota
3 listings. North Dakota’s oil field activity in the Bakken formation and agricultural transport create steady CDL demand — particularly for tanker and flatbed drivers. Private CDL school options are limited; public technical college programs are the primary training pathway. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers.
NDSCS
North Dakota State College of Science — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Wahpeton, ND Felony-Friendly
Public technical college CDL program in southeastern North Dakota. WIOA funding available through Job Service North Dakota for qualifying candidates. No felony exclusion at the public institution level. One of the state’s most accessible CDL training options for reentry candidates.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA funding pathway available through Job Service North Dakota. Confirm eligibility before enrolling.
Prime Inc.
Prime Inc. — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (ND/flatbed routes) Felony-Friendly
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. Prime’s flatbed division is particularly relevant for North Dakota oil field and agricultural freight. Explicitly felony-friendly with individual review of non-violent felony applications.
Felony policy: Explicitly felony-friendly. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies with clean MVR frequently approved. Flatbed division opens oil field freight opportunities.
Swift Transportation
Swift Transportation — Swift Academy
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (ND routes) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. North Dakota routes connect to Swift’s northern Midwest network. Background review before training enrollment means no wasted time if application is declined.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies reviewed — time elapsed and post-release conduct are the key factors.
CDL school or carrier operating in North Dakota? Get listed in this directory →
Ohio
3 listings. Ohio sits at the center of Midwest freight corridors — Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are all major distribution hubs. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. Ohio’s workforce development system (OhioMeansJobs) sometimes funds CDL training for justice-involved individuals — worth confirming eligibility before paying out of pocket.
160 Driving Academy
160 Driving Academy — Columbus
CDL School · Columbus, OH Felony-Friendly
Columbus campus with documented felony-friendly admissions. Class A training in 3–4 weeks. Career services advises on carrier match based on specific record. OhioMeansJobs WIOA funding may cover tuition — confirm eligibility during intake.
Felony policy: Explicitly accepts felony applicants. Career services provides carrier matching based on offense type. Ask about OhioMeansJobs funding eligibility during your enrollment call.
Roehl Transport
Roehl Transport — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (OH Midwest routes) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training — zero to licensed in approximately 22 days. Ohio freight connects to Roehl’s core Midwest and Southeast network. Individual felony review; non-violent convictions with clean MVR and stable post-release history have been approved.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Non-violent felonies with elapsed time and clean MVR considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Full disclosure upfront is essential — inconsistencies are a harder barrier than the record itself.
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (OH: Columbus terminal) 10-Year Look-Back
Major carrier with a Columbus terminal feeding Midwest and Southeast freight lanes. Convictions older than 10 years with clean post-conviction record may clear driver qualification review. Regional positions available alongside OTR.
Felony policy: 10-year look-back. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify regardless of age. HazMat not available. Clean MVR carries significant weight.
CDL school or carrier operating in Ohio? Get listed in this directory →
South Dakota
3 listings. South Dakota’s agricultural economy — grain, livestock, and ethanol transport — drives steady CDL demand. Private CDL school options are limited; public technical college programs are the primary training pathway and most accessible for candidates with records. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers.
Lake Area Tech
Lake Area Technical College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Watertown, SD Felony-Friendly
Public technical college CDL program in northeastern South Dakota. Significantly lower cost than private schools. WIOA funding available through South Dakota Department of Labor. No felony exclusion at admission. One of the state’s best-regarded technical training programs.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway available through South Dakota Department of Labor workforce centers. Confirm eligibility before enrolling.
C.R. England
C.R. England — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Nationwide (SD/Northern Plains routes) Case-by-Case
Paid CDL training, no upfront cost. South Dakota connects to C.R. England’s Northern Plains and Midwest network. Felony review before training enrollment — no wasted time if application is declined. Temperature-controlled freight with national route coverage.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify. Non-violent felonies 7+ years old with clean driving history have cleared review. HazMat not available.
Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises
OTR Carrier · Nationwide (SD/Northern Plains routes) 10-Year Look-Back
Major carrier with Northern Plains freight coverage through South Dakota. Convictions older than 10 years with clean post-conviction record may clear driver qualification review. OTR and regional positions available.
Felony policy: 10-year look-back. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, sex offenses disqualify regardless of age. HazMat not available. Clean MVR is essential.
CDL school or carrier operating in South Dakota? Get listed in this directory →
Wisconsin
3 listings. Wisconsin is home to two major carriers — Roehl Transport (Marshfield) and Schneider National (Green Bay) — both of which offer paid CDL training programs. State follows federal CDL disqualifiers. WIOA funding available through Wisconsin’s Job Centers for qualifying CDL candidates.
Roehl Transport
Roehl Transport — Paid CDL Training Program
Carrier + Paid Training · Marshfield, WI (Nationwide) Case-by-Case
Headquartered in Marshfield — this is Roehl’s home state. Paid CDL training, zero to licensed in approximately 22 days. Individual felony review; full disclosure upfront is essential. Midwest and Southeast routes available. Regional positions keep drivers closer to home.
Felony policy: Case-by-case. Non-violent felonies with elapsed time and clean MVR considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Inconsistencies during background check are a harder barrier than the record itself.
Schneider National
Schneider National
OTR Carrier · Green Bay, WI (Nationwide) Case-by-Case
Headquartered in Green Bay. One of the largest US carriers with van truckload, intermodal, and dedicated divisions. Offers a paid CDL training program. Individual felony review through driver qualification process before training enrollment.
Felony policy: Individual review. Non-violent felonies 5+ years old with stable history considered. Drug trafficking and violent offenses disqualify. Felony conviction within 3 years faces significant barriers.
Madison College
Madison Area Technical College — CDL Program
CDL School (Public) · Madison, WI Felony-Friendly
Public CDL training in Madison at a fraction of private school cost. WIOA funding available through Wisconsin Job Centers for qualifying reentry candidates. No felony exclusion at admission. State-approved program with regional carrier connections.
Felony policy: Public institution — no blanket exclusion. WIOA pathway available through Wisconsin Job Centers. Lower cost reduces financial risk if a carrier later declines to hire.
CDL school or carrier operating in Wisconsin? 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. Policy notes above reflect documented practices as of early 2026 — use them as a starting point, not a guarantee. For federal CDL disqualifiers, see the full guide: Can a Felon Get a CDL?