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Does Hirschbach Motor Lines Hire Felons?

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Sometimes

Hirschbach reviews felony convictions case-by-case with no blanket ban. Older, non-violent records paired with a clean driving history stand the best chance; recent or theft/violence offenses are the hardest to clear.

Hirschbach Motor Lines does hire some people with felony records, evaluating each conviction case-by-case rather than applying a blanket ban. Founded in 1935 and headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, Hirschbach is one of the largest temperature-controlled (refrigerated) carriers in North America — after acquiring John Christner Trucking in 2022 the combined operation grew to more than 3,000 trucks and over $1 billion in revenue. It runs OTR, regional, dedicated, and team lanes and hires both experienced CDL-A drivers and, through partner programs, recent graduates. As a DOT-regulated carrier, Hirschbach must run a criminal background check, your Motor Vehicle Record, and a PSP crash and inspection report, and its checks reach back across your history. Older, non-violent convictions combined with a clean recent driving record have the best odds; recent offenses or those involving theft or violence are the hardest to overcome. Honesty is essential — trucking background checks are lifetime. Contact Hirschbach recruiting to discuss your specific record before applying.

Hiring by Position

PositionFelon Friendly?Background CheckNotes
OTR Company Driver (CDL-A)Case-by-caseYes — DOT + criminal + MVR + PSPRefrigerated freight nationwide. Older, non-violent records reviewed individually.
Regional / Dedicated DriverCase-by-caseYes — DOT + criminal + MVRMore home time. Same case-by-case criminal review as OTR.
Team DriverCase-by-caseYes — DOT + criminal + MVRHigh-mileage refrigerated lanes. Both drivers screened.
Diesel Technician / ShopCase-by-caseYes — standard criminal checkNon-driving maintenance role at terminals. No CDL required.
Warehouse / Terminal SupportCase-by-caseYes — standard criminal checkNon-driver positions. May carry lighter scrutiny than driving roles.

Hirschbach Hiring Practices

Hirschbach Motor Lines is one of North America's largest refrigerated carriers, headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa and grown further by its 2022 acquisition of John Christner Trucking. It reviews felony convictions case-by-case, with no blanket policy rejecting everyone with a record. As a DOT-regulated motor carrier, Hirschbach pulls your Motor Vehicle Record, a PSP (Pre-Employment Screening Program) crash and inspection report, and a criminal background check, and it is legally required to look back across your history. The convictions easiest to overcome are older, non-violent, and unrelated to driving; the hardest are recent offenses or those involving theft, fraud, or violence, since drivers handle high-value freight and operate independently. A clean recent driving record carries real weight. Because policies and freight demand shift, contacting recruiting directly gives you the most accurate read on your situation.

Tips for Getting Hired at Hirschbach

Apply at driveforhirschbach.com and contact a recruiter early to ask how they treat your specific offense and its age — a direct conversation beats guessing. Be completely honest; trucking background checks are lifetime, and any omission ends the process. Lead with a clean recent driving record and steady work history, since MVR and PSP reports weigh heavily. Bring rehabilitation evidence — certificates, references, and any expungement or pardon paperwork. If you're a recent CDL graduate, ask about Hirschbach's driver-development and partner-school pathways. And if a driving role isn't possible right now, ask about non-driver shop, warehouse, or terminal jobs that carry lighter scrutiny and can build tenure toward a later driving position.

Application Tips for People with Records

  • 1.Apply at driveforhirschbach.com and talk to a recruiter about your specific record early.
  • 2.Be completely honest — trucking background checks are lifetime and any omission ends the process.
  • 3.Lead with a clean recent driving record; MVR and PSP reports weigh heavily in trucking.
  • 4.Bring rehabilitation evidence: certificates, references, and expungement or pardon paperwork.
  • 5.Recent CDL grads should ask about driver-development and partner-school pathways.
  • 6.If driving isn't possible now, ask about non-driver shop or terminal roles to build tenure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hirschbach Motor Lines hire felons?
Hirschbach reviews felony convictions case-by-case with no blanket ban. Older, non-violent records paired with a clean driving history have the best odds; recent or theft/violence offenses are the hardest to clear. Contact recruiting to discuss your specific record.
Does Hirschbach do background checks?
Yes. As a DOT-regulated carrier, Hirschbach runs a criminal background check, your Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), and a PSP crash and inspection report, and is legally required to look back across your driving and criminal history.
Does Hirschbach drug test?
Yes. Hirschbach requires a pre-employment DOT drug test and conducts random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing as required by federal regulation.
How big is Hirschbach Motor Lines?
Hirschbach is one of North America's largest refrigerated carriers. After acquiring John Christner Trucking in 2022, the combined operation grew to more than 3,000 trucks and over $1 billion in revenue, headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa.
Does Hirschbach hire recent CDL graduates?
Yes. Alongside experienced CDL-A drivers, Hirschbach works with driver-development and partner-school pathways to bring on recent graduates. Ask a recruiter which programs are currently available.

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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).