How to Get Hired as a Delivery Driver with a Record

If you have a criminal record, you may find it hard to get a job — and there’s data to back that up. 

For example, one study shows that nearly half of unemployed US men have criminal convictions. 

Plus, 64 percent of unemployed men in their 30s have a criminal record.

With such a tight labor market, experts have even suggested making it easier for people with a criminal past to get a job. 

For instance, the ban-the-box initiative prevents employers from asking about a person’s criminal record on job applications.

But even with initiatives, getting a job when you’ve got a criminal past can be challenging. 

But don’t give up! 

Many package delivery and food delivery companies will consider hiring you if you have a misdemeanor conviction — or even a felony conviction. 

I explain which companies will still consider hiring you if you have a criminal record and how to apply for these jobs if you have a criminal record. Get started.

Can you get hired as a delivery driver with a criminal record?

Yep, you can get a job as a delivery driver even if you have a criminal record. 

Companies that will consider hiring people with criminal records include the United States Postal Service (USPS), Amazon, and FedEx (more details about each option below).

You might even have luck getting work as an independent contractor, for example, for a food delivery app or a package delivery service like Amazon Flex.

There are also career positions available for people with a criminal past, including full-time, salaried jobs. Nice!

For example, the USPS considers hiring people with a criminal record, and they offer career positions.

Just be aware that different companies have different policies about hiring people with records. 

Unfortunately, companies don’t have blanket public policies saying they will or won’t hire people with a criminal past — because they consider each case individually.

For example, the USPS looks at each candidate’s employability on a case-by-case basis — regardless of whether the individual has a criminal charge or conviction in their past.

When deciding whether to hire people with a criminal past, most companies look at:

• The severity of the crime. In other words, it might be easier to get hired with a misdemeanor than with a felony. For example, you might be able to work for Amazon Flex if you have a misdemeanor, but the program doesn’t accept drivers who have had a felony on their record in the past seven years.
• The type of crime: The type of crime also matters. For example, USPS won’t hire people who have been convicted of driving under the influence (DUI). A reckless driving conviction within the past three years can also get you kicked out of the job applicant pool. Companies like FedEx are also unlikely to hire drivers with a DUI. 
• Time frame and rehabilitation: It might be easier to get hired with a criminal record if the crime was longer ago. For example, you can argue that it was a long time ago, during your youth, and that you’ve learned since then. The USPS openly states that it considers rehabilitation and recognizes that people with a criminal past can be rehabilitated and perform USPS jobs.

Can felons be hired as delivery drivers? 

Yes, it’s possible to get a job as a delivery driver if you have a past felony conviction. But, again, different companies have different policies on hiring felons.

Most companies make decisions on a case-by-case basis, and they’ll consider details like the severity of the crime, the type of crime, and the time frame and any rehabilitation that’s happened.

Check with each company you plan to apply to just to be sure. To make it easier, though, we explore which companies hire people with criminal records, including felony convictions.

What companies hire delivery drivers with criminal records?

So, where can you actually get a job as a delivery driver if you have a criminal record? Here are some of the possible opportunities.

FedEx 

FedEx hires people with a criminal history on a case-by-case basis. The company will consider details like the type of crime.

Obviously, a theft conviction might make it harder to get a job with FedEx because the company needs to make sure that packages and envelopes are safe and won’t be stolen.

It’s their bread and butter, after all.

Drunk driving convictions and violent crimes may also make it way harder to get a job with FedEx. 

Learn more about FedEx policies on hiring people with a criminal record.

If you want to work for FedEx, check out our guides on how much FedEx drivers make and how to apply.

USPS 

USPS considers applicants with a criminal record, evaluating each individual applicant. 

This includes people with both felony convictions and misdemeanor convictions.

Certain types of convictions can be harder to get a job with. 

For example, violent crimes like sex offender crimes can be super problematic. 

Vehicular offenses can also disqualify you from getting a driving job with USPS, as can a history of mail fraud.

Makes sense, especially if you want to be a mail courier!

Check out our post to learn more about USPS policies on hiring people with a criminal past and how to apply to the USPS if you have a criminal record.

Amazon 

Amazon is another delivery services company that considers people with criminal backgrounds. 

The company considers applicants on an individual basis, taking into account things like the type of crime and how long ago it was.

Overall, it might be easier to get a second chance with a felony conviction that took place longer ago than a more recent conviction.

Location can also be a factor. 

Feedback on Indeed.com shows that some locations are more “felon friendly” than others.

We give you more details on whether Amazon hires delivery drivers with a record, including what types of convictions can get you disqualified from their applicant pool, in this guide.

Want to work as an Amazon delivery driver? Check out our post on working as an Amazon driver, which covers how much they make and how to apply.

We’ve even got the lowdown on becoming an Amazon Flex driver and what goes into their background check.

Do food delivery apps allow drivers who have a criminal record?

If you prefer food delivery to package delivery (everyone’s gotta eat), you might consider driving for a food delivery app. 

Don’t rush off to download apps, though. Some food delivery jobs still have a background screening process.

Uber Eats, DoorDash, Postmates, and Grubhub all have criminal background checks. 

For example, Uber Eats uses a third party provider called Checkr to run its background screenings.

Again, whether you “pass” the background check depends on the details. 

Certain types of convictions may disqualify you from driving, such as violent crimes, sex offenses, and DUIs.

Tips to get hired as a delivery driver with a criminal record

The basic process for applying for delivery driver jobs when you have a criminal record is the same as if you didn’t have one. 

You’ll search jobs on the right career portal (check out the FedEx career portal, USPS careers page, and Amazon jobs site).

In most cases, the application process involves submitting a cover letter and resume. You might then be invited to an interview.

In the course of the application process, you could be asked whether you have a criminal record or whether you’ve been convicted of a crime.

This brings me to the most important tip for getting hired as a delivery driver with a criminal record: Be honest about your criminal past!

FedEx, USPS, and Amazon all run background screenings on potential delivery drivers. They’ll also do a driving history check.

So, if you lie about having a criminal past on your application, they will find out in the background check process.

While these companies may still consider hiring you if you have a criminal conviction, they may decide against hiring you if you lie on your job application. 

Lying on a job application suggests that a person is dishonest, untrustworthy, and unreliable — no company wants to hire employees with these traits.

Other than being honest on your job application, there are a few other tips you can follow to improve your odds of getting hired if you have a criminal past. 

• Create a stellar application. If you’re going to apply for jobs with a criminal record, make sure your application is strong. Create a detailed resume that highlights all your relevant experience, like driving experience, and write a personalized cover letter that addresses the company (in other words, don’t use one cover letter for all your applications).
• Get great references. References can help prove that you’re a reliable and trustworthy person. A reference can also confirm that you’ve been rehabilitated since your criminal conviction. Here are some tips for picking the right references.
• Gather essential documents. In the course of your application process, you will likely be asked to supply certain documents, like a copy of your valid driver’s license and your Social Security number (SSN). Make sure to have this paperwork handy before you apply.
• Learn about drug testing policies. Be aware that many delivery companies run dug screens on their drivers. FedEx driver jobs require a drug test. The USPS hiring process for drivers also includes a drug test. Like FedEx and USPS, Amazon driver jobs may also have to go through a drug test. This still applies if you work as an independent contractor for Amazon Flex.
• Know your rights. You have certain rights when it comes to background checks. For example, companies are legally required to get your written consent beforehand). According to US law, you must also be given the results of the check and the name of the reporting agency that carried out the background check.

With these pointers, you can improve your odds of getting hired as a delivery driver with a criminal record. 

Get more info on delivery driver jobs by reading our post on how much delivery drivers make and how to become one.

Excel in your new delivery job with help from Circuit Route Planner

If you get a job as a delivery driver despite having a criminal record, you want to do all you can to succeed in your new role. 

You don’t want your new employer to have any doubts about hiring you!

Circuit Route Planner can help.

Our route optimization tool integrates with tools like Google Maps, using GPS technology to plan fast delivery routes for you. 

It takes into account details from traffic jams to construction roadblocks.

You can use your mobile phone to access your routes and update them in real time, for example, by adding and deleting stops as needed.

Circuit also has other features that simplify delivery driving. 

For example, proof of delivery lets you take photos of delivered packages or get a customer signature upon drop-off.

Other handy perks include a package finder, which lets you find packages in your delivery vehicle quickly.