Can I become a trucker with a federal felony?

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Hires felons on a case by case basis.

 

Are you talking about a TWIC card? TSA administrates both the TWIC and Hazmat back ground checks. They are similar enough that they give a discount if you do both at the same time.

TWIC: TWIC® | Transportation Security Administration

HazMat: Hazmat Endorsement | Transportation Security Administration

 

He can probably get a TWIC card, but still can't go to Canada, which might be a blessing.

 

I see a lot of companies that advertise they are second chance. That refers to a program that hires felons. He needs to check with those to see if he is acceptable.

 

Is that what they call it? Like I said, I quit trucking in 2010 and things have changed a lot since then. Back then they didn't give discounts because they had just started that 'if your delivering to a port you have to have security clearance deal " at first it was a hassle just to get into places to deliver, even with the card, but it got better as time went on . Now that I think about it, I think 9/11 is what brought that all about. Used to be you didn't need to have any kind of clearance to deliver or pickup loads. I know it was expensive though! One company reimbursed me, had to pay up front, and the other one didn't. Can't remember which company did what, but I had gone through that clearance with CFI first and then with Trans Am later.

 

A blessing indeed. Beautiful country up there, but back then the truckers just parked any which way they didn't care about parking in a regular space, and talk about high costs? Shower in the States back then was $5, and I knew a couple places that you could get one for $2 or $3, IF you brought your own towel in. First time I went to Canada, showers were $10 to $12 and it was only $5 here, free if you bought fuel(I think it was 50gal min) I don't know how those guys can do it up there! It's kinda weird though, back then our money USED TO BE more valuable than CAN money. Now I hear that it's the other way, is it true CAN money is worth more than our money??

 

I would say go for it. It's been 6 years since you've been out. True enough, some companies may give you grief, but this industry has lots of folks who have had drug hiccups. You've kept your nose clean and you were working. Honestly, you've done way better than most who have got in trouble. When you get your license, apply to any and every company. You'll get a number of rejections, but don't get discouraged. One 'yes' will render all those rejections obsolete. If you get a yes, take that job. Get your experience, because once you get in the door, anything can happen at that point. If Western Express takes you, consider the flatbed division. You'll get serious long haul miles there, and believe me, they will keep you on the road. First things first, get that license.

 

Yes TWIC (Transportation Worker ID Card) card is the extra security credential needed to enter ports and other facilities, maybe. railyards. It uses the same background check from TSA as is required for HazMat.

 

It seems that your conviction is one which will earn you an 'interim disqualification' for a hazmat endorsement, but they don't say how long that is for. Are you still on parole, or was it a Federal conviction? Find out what the time period for that disqualification is, and get your Hazmat certification ASAP.

As others have said, do not consider hauling shipping containers, as your ability to get the required certification to enter an international port is not likely to happen. Also, don't consider any company which runs into Canada, as Customs Canada will NOT allow you to enter without a special approval and a surety bond posted.

 

Interim TSA disqualification is for 7 years. I suspect 7 years after date of conviction he will qualify for HM/TWIC, not that I'm recommending work at ports or hauling containers.