Does U.S. Xpress Hire Felons?
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U.S. Xpress hires people with records on a case-by-case basis. It runs one of the more thorough background screens in trucking, so older non-violent offenses have the best odds.
U.S. Xpress does hire people with felony records, but decisions are made case by case. Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S. Xpress is one of the largest asset-based truckload carriers in the country and has been part of Knight-Swift since 2023. It runs OTR, dedicated, regional, and team fleets, and offers company-sponsored CDL-A training for new drivers. U.S. Xpress conducts one of the more thorough background investigations in the industry, reviewing criminal history, your Motor Vehicle Record, and the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Recruiters weigh the type of offense and how much time has passed — driver reports suggest theft felonies generally need to be roughly ten years old and DUI-type offenses several years old, with a clean record since. Violent, sexual, and driving-related felonies are the hardest to clear. Older, non-violent records paired with a clean recent history stand the best chance of approval.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A OTR Driver | Case-by-case | Yes — thorough criminal + MVR + FMCSA Clearinghouse | Long-haul dry van. Older non-violent records with clean recent history have the best odds. |
| Dedicated / Regional Driver | Case-by-case | Yes — thorough criminal + MVR + FMCSA Clearinghouse | More home time. Some dedicated customer accounts add stricter screening. |
| Student / Trainee Driver (CDL Training) | Case-by-case | Yes — criminal + MVR | Company-sponsored CDL-A training. Honest disclosure up front is essential. |
| Diesel Technician / Shop | Case-by-case | Yes — standard criminal check | Terminal maintenance. Individualized review of record against job duties. |
| Corporate / Office Role | Case-by-case | Yes — comprehensive check | Roles handling money or data may face closer scrutiny of relevant offenses. |
U.S. Xpress Hiring Practices
U.S. Xpress is a major Chattanooga-based truckload carrier and, since 2023, part of Knight-Swift, one of North America's largest trucking groups. It appears regularly on lists of carriers that will consider drivers with records, but it does not have a blanket second-chance policy — every applicant is reviewed individually. Drivers describe U.S. Xpress as running one of the more extensive background investigations in trucking, covering criminal history, the Motor Vehicle Record, employment history, and the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Recruiters weigh the nature of the offense and time elapsed: older, non-violent convictions followed by a clean record are the most workable, while theft, violent, sexual, and driving-related felonies face the highest scrutiny. Because U.S. Xpress hauls freight under DOT authority, CDL-disqualifying offenses can be an outright barrier.
Tips for Getting Hired at U.S. Xpress
Apply through usxpress.com and speak with a recruiter early about your specific record — because the screening is thorough, surprises late in the process are what cost people jobs. Disclose everything honestly and be ready to explain the offense, when it happened, and what has changed. Time is your biggest asset: the further back a non-violent conviction is, the better. Gather documents proving sentence completion, a clean recent MVR, and any rehabilitation, endorsements, or steady work history. If you don't have a CDL, ask about their company-sponsored training program. Emphasize reliability and willingness to run OTR miles, since long-haul openings are the most plentiful. If U.S. Xpress isn't a fit yet, other second-chance carriers such as Western Express may be more flexible while you build clean years.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Apply at usxpress.com and talk to a recruiter early about your specific record — the screening is thorough.
- 2.Disclose everything honestly; be ready to explain the offense, the date, and what has changed.
- 3.Older non-violent convictions have the best odds — time since the offense matters most here.
- 4.Bring documentation: sentence completion, a clean recent MVR, and rehabilitation or work history.
- 5.Ask about company-sponsored CDL-A training if you don't yet have a license.
- 6.Be willing to run OTR miles — long-haul openings are the most plentiful.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does U.S. Xpress hire felons?
- Yes, but case by case. U.S. Xpress has hired people with felony records, especially older non-violent convictions followed by a clean history. It does not have a blanket second-chance policy.
- Does U.S. Xpress do background checks?
- Yes. U.S. Xpress runs one of the more thorough background investigations in trucking, covering criminal history, your Motor Vehicle Record, and the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
- Does U.S. Xpress drug test?
- Yes. As a DOT-regulated carrier, U.S. Xpress requires pre-employment drug testing, participates in the FMCSA Clearinghouse, and conducts random testing during employment.
- How old does a felony need to be to drive for U.S. Xpress?
- Driver reports suggest theft-type felonies generally need to be roughly ten years old and DUI-type offenses several years old, with a clean record since. Every case is reviewed individually.
- Is U.S. Xpress owned by Knight-Swift?
- Yes. U.S. Xpress has been part of Knight-Swift since 2023, though it continues to operate under its own name and Chattanooga headquarters.
Take Action — Direct Links
- U.S. Xpress Careers
Search CDL-A driving jobs, training, and corporate roles at U.S. Xpress.
- 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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