Does C.R. England do background checks?

Yes. C.R. England runs a criminal background check, a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review, and checks the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse on driver applicants.

Does C.R. England drug test?

Yes. As a DOT-regulated carrier, C.R. England requires pre-employment drug testing, participates in the FMCSA Clearinghouse, and conducts random testing during employment.

Do I have to disclose my felony to C.R. England?

Yes, and it is critical. Driver reports show applicants who fail to disclose a conviction are dismissed from training, even when the offense itself might not have disqualified them.

Does C.R. England Hire Felons?

Last updated: 2026-07-12

Sometimes

C.R. England reviews applicants with records case by case and openly aims to give eligible people a fresh start. Its free Premier CDL training makes it a common first job after incarceration.

C.R. England does hire people with felony records, evaluating each applicant individually rather than using a blanket ban. Headquartered in Salt Lake City (West Valley City), Utah and family-run for over a century, C.R. England is one of the largest refrigerated (reefer) truckload carriers in the United States, with OTR, dedicated, regional, and team fleets. It operates its own Premier Truck Driving Schools and offers tuition-free, company-sponsored CDL-A training tied to a driving job — a direct pipeline that many people use to reenter the workforce. Every applicant undergoes a criminal background check plus a Motor Vehicle Record review and the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Current and former workers describe the company as not discriminating against records generally, but violent, sexual, theft, and vehicle-related felonies are the hardest to clear. Honesty is essential: applicants who hide a conviction risk being removed from training. Older non-violent records have the best odds.

Hiring by Position

Position	Felon Friendly?	Background Check	Notes
CDL-A OTR Driver	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal + MVR + FMCSA Clearinghouse	Long-haul refrigerated freight. Older non-violent records have the best odds.
Student Driver (Free Premier CDL Training)	Yes	Yes — criminal + MVR	Tuition-free CDL-A training tied to employment. Full honesty required to stay enrolled.
Dedicated / Regional Driver	Case-by-case	Yes — criminal + MVR + FMCSA Clearinghouse	More home time. Some dedicated accounts add stricter customer screening.
Diesel Technician / Shop	Case-by-case	Yes — standard criminal check	Terminal maintenance roles. Record reviewed against specific job duties.
Driver Trainer / Mentor	Case-by-case	Yes — comprehensive check	Experienced drivers who mentor students. Typically requires clean recent driving history.

C.R. England Hiring Practices

C.R. England is a Utah-based, century-old family company and one of the biggest refrigerated carriers in North America. It appears consistently on industry lists of carriers that hire people with records, and current and former employees describe it as not discriminating against applicants simply for having a conviction. What sets it apart is Premier Truck Driving Schools, its in-house CDL program offering tuition-free, company-sponsored training tied to a driving job — a common route back to work after incarceration. Hiring is still individualized. Every applicant is screened for criminal history, driving record (MVR), and the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Violent, sexual, theft, and vehicle-related felonies draw the most scrutiny, and CDL-disqualifying offenses can be an outright barrier under DOT rules. Older, non-violent convictions followed by clean years are the most workable.

Tips for Getting Hired at C.R. England

Be completely honest from the start. Forum reports are consistent that applicants who fail to disclose a conviction get dismissed from the Premier training program even when the offense itself might not have disqualified them. Apply at crengland.com and ask a recruiter directly about your specific record before committing to the school. If you have no license, the tuition-free CDL-A training is the main draw — clarify any contract or repayment terms before you sign. Emphasize how long ago the offense occurred and what has changed: steady work, clean recent driving, completed sentence, and any rehabilitation. Bring documentation to back it up. Violent, sexual, theft, and multiple driving-related offenses are the toughest to clear, so if England isn't a fit yet, a dedicated second-chance carrier like Western Express may be more flexible while you build clean years.

Application Tips for People with Records

1.Be completely honest — applicants who hide a conviction get removed from Premier training even when the offense might not have disqualified them.
2.Apply at crengland.com and ask a recruiter about your specific record before committing to the school.
3.The tuition-free CDL-A training is the main draw — clarify any contract or repayment terms before signing.
4.Emphasize time since the offense and what's changed: steady work, clean MVR, completed sentence.
5.Bring documentation — sentence completion, rehabilitation records, and a clean recent driving history.
6.Older non-violent records have the best odds; violent, sexual, theft, and driving felonies are the hardest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does C.R. England hire felons?: Yes, case by case. C.R. England openly aims to give eligible people with records a fresh start and does not use a blanket ban, but violent, sexual, theft, and vehicle-related felonies are the hardest to clear.
Does C.R. England do background checks?: Yes. C.R. England runs a criminal background check, a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) review, and checks the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse on driver applicants.
Does C.R. England drug test?: Yes. As a DOT-regulated carrier, C.R. England requires pre-employment drug testing, participates in the FMCSA Clearinghouse, and conducts random testing during employment.
Does C.R. England offer free CDL training?: Yes. C.R. England operates Premier Truck Driving Schools and offers tuition-free, company-sponsored CDL-A training tied to a driving job. Clarify any contract or repayment terms before you sign.
Do I have to disclose my felony to C.R. England?: Yes, and it is critical. Driver reports show applicants who fail to disclose a conviction are dismissed from training, even when the offense itself might not have disqualified them.

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Take Action — Direct Links

C.R. England Careers
Search CDL-A driving jobs and free Premier CDL training with C.R. England.
FMCSA Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse
Federal database all trucking employers check before hiring a CDL driver.
National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.

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Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Company hiring policies change frequently and may vary by location, franchise, or position. Always confirm the current policy with the hiring manager or HR representative. A background check does not automatically disqualify you — you have rights under the EEOC guidelines and the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).