Does LKQ Corporation Hire Felons?
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LKQ conducts background checks but has no blanket no-felon policy. Warehouse, dismantler, and material handler roles are the most accessible entry points, with hiring decided locally on a case-by-case basis.
LKQ Corporation does hire some people with felony records. As a Fortune 500 leader in alternative and specialty auto parts, LKQ operates roughly 1,400 locations and employs about 44,000 people worldwide — including around 17,000 in North America — with a footprint spanning wholesale parts distribution, recycled and remanufactured mechanical parts, collision-parts refurbishing, and heavy-truck parts. The company has never published a blanket no-felon policy, and current and former employees report that people with records — especially older, non-violent convictions — have been hired at many locations. Warehouse, material handler, and vehicle dismantler roles are the most accessible entry points and are staffed continuously. LKQ runs background checks (commonly going back five to seven years) after a conditional offer, and driver or other safety-sensitive positions typically add a pre-employment drug screen and a motor-vehicle-record review. Because hiring decisions are made at the branch level, outcomes vary by location, the position, and the nature and age of the offense.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warehouse Associate / Material Handler | Case-by-case | Yes — after conditional offer | Picking, packing, and loading parts. High-volume entry role and the most accessible. |
| Vehicle Dismantler / Auto Recycler | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Removing and cataloging usable parts at salvage yards. Hands-on, steady demand. |
| Delivery Driver (non-CDL / box truck) | Harder | Yes — plus MVR and drug test | Requires a reasonably clean driving record. CDL routes add DOT rules. |
| Counter / Inside Sales | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Parts lookup and customer service. Theft-related records may draw more scrutiny. |
| Production / Refurbishing Tech | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Reconditioning wheels, bumpers, and collision components. |
LKQ Hiring Practices
LKQ Corporation is a Fortune 500 provider of recycled, aftermarket, and refurbished auto and truck parts, with roughly 1,400 locations and about 44,000 employees globally (around 17,000 in North America). Its North American business runs wholesale distribution centers, vehicle-recycling and dismantling operations, collision-parts refurbishing, and heavy-truck parts — all labor-intensive settings that hire continuously. LKQ has not published a company-wide policy barring people with felony records, and reports from workers indicate that many branches do hire people with older, non-violent convictions. Background checks are conducted after a conditional offer and commonly look back five to seven years. Driver and other safety-sensitive positions add a drug screen and driving-record review. Because branch managers and local HR make the final call, results depend heavily on the specific location, the role, and how much time has passed since the offense.
Tips for Getting Hired at LKQ
Apply online at jobs.lkqcorp.com and target warehouse, material handler, or dismantler openings, which have the highest turnover and the most flexibility. Be honest about your record if asked — LKQ conducts its check after a conditional offer, so a surprise on the report is more damaging than an upfront explanation. Emphasize reliability, physical stamina, any forklift or automotive experience, and steady work history. If you are pursuing a driver role, be ready to show a clean or improving motor-vehicle record. Apply at more than one branch, since hiring standards vary by location and manager. If you have completed a workforce or reentry program, mention it — a referral or job coach can make a real difference.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply online at jobs.lkqcorp.com and target warehouse, material handler, or dismantler roles.
- 2.Be upfront about your record — the background check comes after a conditional offer.
- 3.Highlight forklift, automotive, or physical-labor experience and reliable attendance.
- 4.For driver roles, be ready to show a clean or improving driving record.
- 5.Apply at multiple LKQ branches, since standards vary by location and manager.
- 6.Mention any reentry or workforce-training program you completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does LKQ hire felons?
- LKQ has no blanket no-felon policy and does hire some people with records, especially for warehouse and dismantler roles. Decisions are made case-by-case at the branch level.
- Does LKQ do background checks?
- Yes. LKQ runs a background check after extending a conditional offer, typically looking back five to seven years.
- Does LKQ drug test?
- Policies vary by location and role. Driver and safety-sensitive positions generally include a pre-employment drug screen; some warehouse roles report no test.
- What jobs at LKQ are easiest to get with a record?
- Warehouse associate, material handler, and vehicle dismantler roles turn over frequently and are the most accessible entry points.
- How far back does LKQ's background check go?
- Employee reports suggest checks commonly go back five to seven years, though this can vary by state law and position.
Take Action — Direct Links
- LKQ Careers
Search and apply for warehouse, dismantler, driver, and sales openings at LKQ.
- National HIRE Network
Free resources for people with criminal records seeking employment.