- Spark Driver may hire felons depending on the type, recency, and nature of the felony.
- Applicants must pass a thorough background check, which may reveal disqualifying felonies.
- Disqualified applicants can appeal by providing a clear explanation and supporting documentation.
- Success in appeals varies, but proving rehabilitation and positive changes can help.
Does Spark Hire Felons?
Spark Driver does consider hiring felons, but it depends on the type, recency, and nature of the felony.
Drivers who apply to Spark must undergo a very thorough background check – which looks at their criminal history, motor vehicle records, and also verifies their identity – as part of the application process.
It is at this point during the process that a felony record will show up and potentially hinder the ability to drive with the company.
Drivers that have been convicted of felonies involving violence, theft, or serious driving-related violations are typically disqualified from the platform.
If there is something on your record from applying, Spark will reach out with the results of your background check to let you know about the red flag, as well as their decision to disqualify you.
However, there is hope. Applicants who have been disqualified have the chance to appeal a disqualification, and in certain cases, reapply if they can show that they’ve improved their circumstances.
The success of appealing and reapplying varies on a case-by-case basis, but I have talked to drivers who have successfully gotten approved to drive despite a felony record.
Appealing a Disqualification
To appeal a Spark disqualification, start by logging into the Spark Driver portal and filling out the appeal form.
You’ll need to provide your reasoning for why you think you should not have been deactivated. This really just needs to a clear, concise explanation that backs up your stance with reasoning and facts.
Any documentation that you can provide, including court documents, letters of recommendation, and supporting materials will help.
If there are inaccuracies to your background check results, this is the time to point them out and why they’re wrong.
The appeals team will then take the information that you’ve provided them and review their original decision, making a determination after their review is complete.
Once they have a decision, they’ll send you a text to let you know what they’ve decided.
As a note, you only need to submit one appeal request. Once you have confirmation that they’ve received it, don’t send another one, otherwise you’ll just slow the process down.
Getting Reactivated After Appealing
In some cases, you might get a deactivated due to a mistake. If this happens, I suggest filing an appeal to double-check the results.
In the case of one driver, he got background checked and was disqualified even though he had no criminal record.
After submitting an appeal, the driver was reactivated after the review team looked into his case.
Comment
byu/Unhappy-Cricket-2402 from discussion
inSparkdriver
My suggestion is to appeal the denial decision, even if you know that what the company found isn’t a mistake.
Drivers with felony records tend to think that just because they’ve been denied that they don’t stand a chance. However, there is a bit of discretion that the company uses.
At the end of the day, they just want to know that their customers are going to be safe. If you have a way to provide that you’ve changed since a felony conviction, put every foot forward to prove it.
Did you get a DUI but went to rehab to address an addiction? Note that. Did you serve time but then got released early for good behavior? Put that down.
I’m not saying that doing so will guarantee a decision reversal, but it’s at least worth a shot.
If you have questions or still need help while applying, drop a comment below and somebody from our team will get back to you as soon as possible with a reply.
