Does Swift Transportation Hire Felons?

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Why Swift Is Known as Felon-Friendly in the Trucking Community

Swift Transportation has a long-standing reputation in the second-chance and trucking communities as one of the more willing major carriers to hire people with criminal records. This reputation comes from several factors. First, Swift is one of the largest truckload carriers in North America and needs a constant pipeline of new drivers due to the industry's high turnover rates. Second, Swift operates one of the biggest company-sponsored CDL training programs (Swift Driving Academy), which means they invest in developing new drivers rather than only recruiting experienced ones — and this pipeline naturally includes people who face barriers at more selective carriers. Third, anecdotal reports from truck drivers on forums and communities consistently cite Swift as one of the first companies that gave them a chance after a felony conviction. While Swift does have standards and will not hire everyone regardless of their record, their practical threshold tends to be lower than companies like Werner, Schneider, or J.B. Hunt for people with non-violent felony records.

CDL Requirements and DOT Regulations for Swift Drivers

All CDL driving positions at Swift are subject to federal DOT regulations administered by the FMCSA. Under these regulations, certain offenses result in mandatory CDL disqualification: using a commercial vehicle to commit a felony involving controlled substances results in a lifetime disqualification, DUI in a commercial vehicle results in a one-year disqualification (three years if carrying hazmat), and leaving the scene of an accident or causing a fatality through negligent CMV operation also triggers disqualification periods. Beyond these federal minimums, Swift sets its own company standards which tend to be more flexible than many competitors. Swift typically requires no felony convictions within the past 3 years for non-violent offenses (some sources report 5 years for certain offense types), a clean MVR with no DUI/DWI within 3-5 years, no more than 3 moving violations in the past 3 years, and no serious at-fault accidents in the past 3 years. Applicants must also be registered in the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse with no unresolved violations, pass a pre-employment DOT drug test, and meet all DOT physical requirements.

Swift Driving Academy: CDL Training as a Second Chance Path

The Swift Driving Academy is one of the largest company-sponsored CDL training programs in the trucking industry, and it can be a significant opportunity for people with criminal records who want to enter trucking. The program provides CDL-A training, and graduates commit to driving for Swift for a specified contract period (typically 12-18 months) to repay the training cost. If you separate early, you owe the remaining balance. The academy conducts a preliminary background review before acceptance, so not everyone with a felony will be admitted. However, the screening tends to be more practical than restrictive — if Swift believes you can be hired as a driver after training, they will generally accept you into the program. Before applying, call Swift's recruiting department and be transparent about your record. They can tell you whether you are likely to be accepted before you invest time in the application process. The academy has multiple locations across the country and new classes start frequently.

Background Check Process at Swift Transportation

Swift conducts a thorough background check on all driver applicants as part of the DOT-compliant hiring process. This includes a criminal history search (typically going back 7-10 years), MVR review from all states where you have held a license, FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse query, pre-employment DOT drug test (urine), previous employer verification for the past 3 years (DOT requirement for driving positions), and verification of CDL and endorsement status. For non-driving positions, the check is typically a standard criminal history search and may not include all the DOT-specific elements. Swift follows FCRA requirements, meaning you must authorize the check and will receive notice if adverse action is taken based on the results. The background check is initiated after a conditional offer or acceptance into the driving academy. The process typically takes 5-10 business days for driving positions due to the employer verification component.

Knight-Swift Merger: What Changed

In 2017, Swift Transportation merged with Knight Transportation to form Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, the largest full truckload carrier in North America. For job seekers with criminal records, this merger is worth understanding because it means some positions may now fall under Knight's hiring policies rather than Swift's historical standards. Knight Transportation was generally considered slightly more selective than Swift in pre-merger hiring. However, post-merger, both brands continue to operate somewhat independently with their own recruiting processes. When applying, pay attention to whether the position is listed under the Swift or Knight brand, as the hiring standards may differ. The Swift Driving Academy continues to operate under the Swift brand, and the felon-friendly reputation that Swift built over decades appears to have largely survived the merger. If you apply and are told you do not meet the standards for one brand, it may be worth inquiring about the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Swift Transportation hire felons?

Yes, Swift Transportation does hire some people with felony records and has a reputation as one of the more felon-friendly major trucking companies. Non-violent felonies that are 3-5+ years old are most likely to be accepted. Drug trafficking, violent felonies, and sex offenses face stricter scrutiny or permanent disqualification.

Does Swift do background checks?

Yes. All Swift driving positions undergo a comprehensive DOT-compliant background check including criminal history, MVR review, FMCSA Clearinghouse query, drug testing, and previous employer verification. Non-driving positions undergo a standard criminal history check.

Can I get my CDL through Swift with a felony?

The Swift Driving Academy does accept some applicants with felony records, provided the conviction falls within their acceptable parameters. The academy pre-screens applicants before acceptance. Call Swift recruiting to discuss your specific situation before applying to ensure you will not be investing time in a program that will not lead to employment.

Does Swift drug test?

Yes. All CDL driving positions at Swift are subject to mandatory DOT drug testing including pre-employment, random, post-accident, return-to-duty, and reasonable suspicion testing. Swift also queries the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Non-CDL positions may also be subject to pre-employment drug testing.

How much do Swift drivers make?

Swift driver pay varies by experience and division. New drivers (including academy graduates) typically start around $50,000-$60,000 per year. Experienced OTR drivers can earn $65,000-$85,000. Team drivers can earn more due to higher miles. Dedicated and regional positions vary based on the account. Pay has increased significantly in recent years due to the driver shortage.

Is Swift or Werner more felon-friendly?

Swift is generally considered more felon-friendly than Werner in the trucking community. Swift has a longer history of hiring people with records and their waiting periods tend to be slightly shorter. However, both companies evaluate applicants on a case-by-case basis, and individual experiences vary. If one company declines you, it is worth trying the other.