K&B Transportation: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

According to the company's website, K&B Transportation was founded in 1987 by Ken Ackerman in Sioux City, Iowa, with a fleet of 25 tractors and 85 meat rail trailers that hauled carcass meat between IBP plants. In 1989 the company began moving freight over the road across the Greater Midwest, and in 1997 it relocated to its current location in South Sioux City, Nebraska, closer to the IBP plants. It grew through the acquisitions of Artex Transportation in 1999 and Marx truck line in 2001.

Ken Ackerman stepped down in 2000, and his sons Brock and Kory Ackerman, the current owners, took over day-to-day operations. K&B describes itself as a leader in the transportation of perishable food products, with over-the-road and dedicated service for customers, real-time load tracking through FourKites, and a service area centered on the greater Midwest along with other areas of the United States. The company says it has grown to more than 2,000 pieces of equipment.

On the driver side, K&B's driver recruiting site lists Midwest and national over-the-road, dedicated fleet, and home-weekend positions, and it says approved drivers can be flown to orientation in South Sioux City. Driver applications run through an online application portal linked from the careers pages. The corporate careers page lists office careers in Operations (including fleet managers and customer service managers), Safety and Compliance, Driver Recruiting and Retention, Finance and Administration, and Maintenance Administration, and candidates can submit a resume through an online form.

Company culture and employee programs: K&B's driver recruiting pages describe benefits that include vacation time, referral and safety bonuses, and a sign-on bonus, and they say drivers and dispatchers know each other by name. The company's stated core values are performance, communication, and people, including equal opportunity for each individual to reach their potential. Pay packages, benefits, and bonuses typically vary by fleet and driver position, so candidates are encouraged to confirm the details with a recruiter.

Yes. Employers in the trucking and freight transportation industry, including K&B Transportation, are legally permitted to conduct pre-employment background checks, provided they follow federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs how third-party background reports are used, including consent, disclosure, and adverse action steps. Drivers also fall under federal motor carrier safety rules, which add driver-specific checks on top of standard screening.

K&B Transportation is generally reported to screen driver candidates, which is consistent with standard practice among carriers that haul freight for customers. Trucking employers typically review driving records, work history, and criminal history, and they may follow federal safety rules for commercial drivers. The scope of the K&B Transportation background check may vary by position, fleet, and customer requirements, and office roles may be screened differently from driving roles.

The K&B Transportation hiring process typically starts with an online application, either through the driver application portal for drivers or the corporate careers form for office roles. For drivers, K&B's recruiting site says that once an applicant is approved to attend orientation, the company can fly them to its main location in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Office candidates may interview with the hiring manager for the department after submitting a resume. Candidates who receive an offer are usually asked to consent to a background check and any other pre-employment requirements before a start date is confirmed.

A K&B Transportation background check typically takes a few business days, though some searches take longer. Driving roles may involve several records, such as court searches, motor vehicle records, and previous employer checks, and responses from agencies and former employers can affect timing. Candidates who want more detail can review background check turnaround times.

The specific components of a background check are determined by the employer. For a driving or office role at a carrier like K&B Transportation, a check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review the disclosure and consent forms they receive to see which searches apply to their specific role.

K&B Transportation may require a drug test for driver candidates, since commercial drivers are generally covered by federal testing rules. The company does not publish a full testing policy on its recruiting pages. Federal rules for commercial drivers in 49 CFR Part 382, titled Controlled Substances and Alcohol Use and Testing, set drug and alcohol testing requirements for drivers who hold a commercial driver's license. Whether and how testing applies to office roles may vary. Candidates can confirm what applies to their position with the recruiter or in their offer paperwork.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

K&B Transportation's policies on candidates with criminal records are not published in detail, and decisions are typically made case by case. For driving roles, factors that may matter include the type of offense, how recent it is, the driver's motor vehicle record, and customer or insurance requirements. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when employers can ask about criminal history, though the rules vary by location and some apply only to certain employers. Candidates should answer application questions honestly and be prepared to discuss their background if asked.

Candidates for K&B Transportation roles will typically be asked to provide written consent before a background check begins. Applicants should be ready to supply their full legal name, date of birth, address history, and Social Security number, and drivers will generally need a valid commercial driver's license and a driving record that meets carrier and insurance standards. K&B's recruiting pages describe Class A CDL over-the-road opportunities, so candidates should confirm the exact license, endorsement, and experience requirements for their fleet with a recruiter.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

A K&B Transportation driver typically needs a valid commercial driver's license and a driving record that meets the carrier's standards. Carriers that haul freight generally review motor vehicle records, past employer information, and criminal history, and drivers are typically subject to federal drug and alcohol testing rules. K&B's recruiting site lists Class A CDL over-the-road, dedicated fleet, and home-weekend positions, and requirements may differ by fleet. Candidates can ask the recruiter which checks apply to their position and when they are completed relative to orientation.

K&B Transportation's corporate careers page lists office careers in five areas: Operations, Safety and Compliance, Driver Recruiting and Retention, Finance and Administration, and Maintenance Administration. According to the page, Operations includes fleet managers and customer service managers, and Safety and Compliance covers regulatory compliance, claims, and risk management. Office roles may be screened for employment history and, for finance roles, credit history where state law allows.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what K&B Transportation may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

Create your report in minutes at Checkr Personal Background Checks. To showcase verified credentials proactively, build a free Checkr Profile you can share with recruiters, hiring managers, or potential employers.

Check your report status in the Candidate Portal. Or, visit the Checkr Help Center for FAQs, dispute steps, and to contact support.

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.