Cassens Transport: Company Profile & Background Check FAQs

Cassens Transport was incorporated in 1936 and is headquartered in Edwardsville, Illinois. The company grew out of the Cassens family's automotive businesses: founder George Cassens sold cars in the Edwardsville area beginning in the 1910s and 1920s, and after his dealership began picking up vehicles from manufacturers in Detroit, the family saw an opportunity to haul automobiles for other dealerships as well. That idea became Cassens Transport, which has remained family-owned for generations as a subsidiary of Cassens Corp., a privately held group that has also included dealership, insurance, and financing businesses.

The company's core business is finished vehicle logistics, often called auto hauling or car haul. Cassens Transport picks up new cars and trucks at assembly plants and rail ramps and delivers them to dealerships, operating terminals across the Midwest and along the East Coast, with operations that have extended into Ontario, Canada. Over its history the company has hauled vehicles for major automakers, with Chrysler as a longtime anchor account alongside manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Honda, Subaru, and Toyota. Related services have included vehicle releasing at assembly plants and rail loading and unloading.

Cassens Transport's workforce centers on professional car-haul drivers who operate specialized multi-vehicle rigs, supported by mechanics and shop staff, terminal and yard workers, dispatchers, and administrative employees at its Edwardsville headquarters. Car hauling is considered one of the more skilled segments of trucking because drivers load, secure, and deliver high-value vehicles in addition to driving.

Company culture and employee programs:

As a multi-generational family business, Cassens Transport is known for long employee tenures and a practice of promoting from within. Drivers receive training on loading and securing vehicles, damage prevention, and safety compliance. Pay structures in car haul often reflect the specialized nature of the work, and benefits vary by role and location, so candidates should confirm compensation, schedules, and home time expectations during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the trucking and transportation industry, including Cassens Transport, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. Screening through a consumer reporting agency is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires disclosure, written consent, and adverse action procedures. For driving positions, federal Department of Transportation (DOT) and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules add mandatory checks that go beyond what many other industries require.

Cassens Transport is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, consistent with standard practice among regulated motor carriers. For commercial driver roles, federal rules require carriers to verify a driver's qualifications, review driving history, and check safety records before putting a driver behind the wheel. The exact scope of a Cassens Transport background check may vary by position, with driver roles subject to the most extensive requirements.

While steps vary by role, the hiring process for driving positions at a car-haul carrier typically includes an application covering the past several years of employment and driving history, a review of the candidate's commercial driver's license (CDL) and endorsements, and interviews with recruiting or terminal management. Candidates who receive a conditional offer are generally asked to consent to a background check, complete a DOT physical, and pass a pre-employment drug test. New car-haul drivers usually complete extensive training on loading, securement, and delivery procedures before operating independently. Office, shop, and terminal roles follow a more standard application and interview sequence.

Turnaround depends on the searches ordered, the responsiveness of courts, agencies, and former employers, and the candidate's history across jurisdictions. Many checks are completed within a few business days, though DOT employment verifications and multi-county criminal searches can take longer. Candidates can learn more by reviewing background check turnaround times.

Employers select screening components based on the role. For a driver position at a motor carrier like Cassens Transport, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should read their disclosure and consent forms carefully to understand which searches apply to the role they are pursuing.

Lookback periods depend on the search type and governing law. Under the FCRA, consumer reporting agencies generally may not report most negative information older than seven years, although criminal convictions can often be reported further back and exceptions exist for certain higher-salary positions. Some states impose stricter limits. Separate DOT rules set their own windows: safety performance history checks generally cover three years, while motor vehicle record reviews follow state record retention rules.

Cassens Transport does not publish a detailed policy on hiring candidates with felony records, and decisions are typically made case by case. Considerations usually include the nature and recency of the offense, its relevance to the job, and the candidate's driving and work history since. Trucking employers must also account for insurance and customer requirements when vehicles of significant value are involved. Many states and localities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws limiting when employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates with records are encouraged to be truthful on applications and prepared to discuss their background.

Candidates will typically be asked to sign a disclosure and consent form before a background check begins. Driver applicants should be prepared to provide a valid CDL, accurate personal information including full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and address history, plus several years of employment and driving history as required by DOT regulations. Drivers also complete a DOT physical and pre-employment drug test, and consent to Clearinghouse and safety history queries. Accurate, complete information helps prevent delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. It requires employers to obtain written consent before running an employment background check, to provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights before taking adverse action based on its findings, and to allow candidates to dispute inaccurate information. For a deeper overview of how the FCRA and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) guidance apply to hiring, see this introduction to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Cassens Transport may see and helps you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

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The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.