Covenant Transport: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Covenant Transport was founded in 1986 by David and Jacqueline Parker in Chattanooga, Tennessee, starting the business with 25 trucks, 50 trailers, and modest seed money (with one source citing $150,000 in initial capital). David Parker has described the company's founding as rooted in a personal covenant he made with God, drawn from Scripture: he committed to running the business "the right way" and by the Golden Rule, if God would provide the resources needed for it to succeed, which inspired the company's name. In 1994, Covenant became a publicly traded company, listing as Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CVTI" (later "CVLG").

Covenant grew significantly over subsequent decades through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions, including Southern Refrigerated Transport (expanding refrigerated shipping capabilities), Star Transportation (a regional dry van carrier strengthening its southeastern U.S. presence), Landair and Landair Logistics (adding dedicated truckload and warehousing capacity), and Lew Thompson & Son Trucking (expanding its Dedicated Contract Carriage segment, particularly in poultry transportation). The company also entered into an affiliated relationship with Transport Enterprise Leasing, providing equipment leasing and used tractor and trailer sales. In July 2022, the parent company changed its name from Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. to Covenant Logistics Group, Inc., reflecting its broadened scope beyond core trucking into logistics, warehousing, and freight brokerage services.

Today, Covenant Transport operates as one of the largest truckload carriers in the United States, with more than 3,000 professional drivers and thousands of tractors and trailers, generating hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenue as part of the larger Covenant Logistics Group, which generates over $1 billion in consolidated revenue. The company's headquarters spans more than 180 acres in Chattanooga, Tennessee, housing its main terminal, home office, maintenance shop, and body shop. Covenant Transport's workforce is centered around CDL truck drivers, including expedited, dedicated, and regional drivers, along with maintenance technicians, logistics coordinators, and corporate operations staff.

Company culture and employee programs: Covenant Transport was founded on Christian principles and emphasizes a values-based corporate culture centered on integrity, a customer-first servant attitude, and treating people the way the company would want to be treated. The company has developed programs supporting military veterans, including MPACT (Military Placement at Covenant Transport), a one-year, three-phase training program that helps veterans transition into truck driving careers using their G.I. Bill benefits. Benefits, routes, and advancement opportunities can vary by driver type and role, so candidates should confirm specifics with a recruiter during the hiring process.

Yes. Employers in the trucking and logistics industry, including Covenant Transport, are legally required to conduct thorough background checks on driver candidates, given federal Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations in addition to standard employment screening. In the United States, employment screening is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which requires employers to obtain written consent, provide disclosures, and follow adverse action procedures.

Covenant Transport is generally reported to conduct background checks as part of its hiring process, which is both standard practice and a federal regulatory requirement for commercial truck drivers under DOT and FMCSA rules.

The hiring process for CDL driver positions at Covenant Transport typically includes an application, verification of commercial driver's license and relevant endorsements, a review of driving records, DOT-required drug and alcohol testing, and a background check prior to a final offer.

Background check timelines can vary based on the type of screening requested and how quickly records can be verified. Learn more about typical background check turnaround times to understand what factors can affect the process.

A typical pre-employment background check for a commercial truck driver role may include:

Under the FCRA, criminal history reporting is generally limited to seven years for most background checks, though FMCSA regulations require commercial driver employment history checks going back at least three years, and safety-sensitive drug and alcohol violation history is checked through the FMCSA Clearinghouse without a standard time limit.

Hiring decisions involving candidates with criminal records are generally made on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the nature of the offense, how much time has passed, and its relevance to a commercial driving role, with federal regulations imposing specific restrictions on certain offenses for CDL holders. Some states have adopted "ban-the-box" laws that restrict when employers can ask about criminal history during the hiring process.

Candidates can generally expect to provide personal information such as full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security number, along with signed consent authorizing the background check, in compliance with FCRA and DOT/FMCSA requirements. A valid CDL is required for driving positions.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates how employers can use background check information in hiring decisions. It requires employers to notify candidates before running a check, obtain written consent, and follow specific adverse action procedures if a decision is made based on background check results.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Covenant Transport may see during the hiring process, helping you address any concerns before you apply. A personal background check can include:

Learn more about Checkr Personal Background Checks and explore your Checkr Profile to see what information may appear in your own background check.

If you're a candidate with a background check in progress through Checkr as part of your application to Covenant Transport or another employer, you can check your status through the Candidate Portal. For additional support, visit the Checkr Help Center.

The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice. All information is for general informational purposes only. Checkr does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. This article may contain links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader. Checkr does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites and disclaims any affiliation with the companies mentioned in this article unless otherwise stated.