Does Tesla Hire Felons? What You Need to Know Before Applying

Tesla's growth means they're always looking for sharp people, but what if you have a felony on your record? Turns out, the answer isn't always clear-cut—Tesla does background checks, but a record doesn’t automatically mean you’re out of the running.

If you’re worried about getting stuck at the background check, here's the deal: Tesla looks at each case on its own. Some felonies will raise red flags, especially if they're recent or related to the type of job you’re after. But they’ve hired people with records before, especially if you’re honest and show you’ve turned things around.

Before you even apply, know that job posts usually mention background checks up front. Don’t let this freak you out, but don’t try to hide anything either—that usually backfires. There are cases where folks with past mistakes got hired because they explained what happened and what they’ve done to move forward.

• Tesla's Approach to Hiring Felons
• How the Tesla Background Check Works
• Improving Your Chances of Getting Hired
• Common Questions and Real Stories

Tesla's Approach to Hiring Felons

If you search up "Tesla hiring felons," you’ll find tons of mixed answers. Tesla doesn’t have an official, public statement saying they won’t hire anyone with a record. Actually, some people with felonies have shared on forums like Reddit and Indeed that they landed jobs at Tesla, sometimes even working side by side with folks from all walks of life. So, it’s not a system-wide "no." Deciding factors often depend on timing, the type of crime, and the specific role.

Here’s what really stands out: Tesla focuses on what you can do now, not just what happened years ago. If your record involves violence, theft, or certain drug charges, especially if it was recent, it’s a tougher sell. But non-violent and older cases? Those are often less of a deal-breaker. For example, someone with a decade-old conviction for a minor drug offense may get considered, especially if they show steady work history or skills that Tesla needs.

Tesla also tends to give factory and entry-level applicants a fairer shot, while jobs with higher security (like robotics, engineering, and anything dealing with sensitive data) come with stricter background reviews. A supervisor position or anything handling finances may face more scrutiny, while assembly line jobs might not be as tough on applicants with a record.

Tesla’s application process will include a background check for every applicant. This is clearly listed on nearly every Tesla job application. If you’re open about your past, explain what you’ve learned, and show you’re ready for a fresh start, they just might give you a shot.

How the Tesla Background Check Works

Right after you send in your job application to Tesla, things move pretty fast if they like your profile. Before you sign an offer, expect a full background check—it's a must for all Tesla hires, not just those with felonies. This check is handled by a third-party company, not directly by Tesla HR.

The Tesla background check will likely cover:

• Criminal history (both felony and misdemeanor records, across states)
• Identity verification and Social Security trace
• Work history and education checks
• Driving record (important for jobs that require a company vehicle)
• Drug screening (especially for roles in the factory and operations)

If you have a felony in your past, it won’t automatically mean rejection. Tesla looks at these things:

• How long ago it happened
• If the crime relates to the job you want (for example, theft if you're applying for a finance or supply chain role)
• Whether you’ve had a clean record since
• Your honesty about your history in the interview and on paper

Tesla usually checks the last 7–10 years, but some states have tighter limits on reporting older convictions. They follow what's legal for wherever you live and apply. If something pops up, you’ll probably get a chance to explain before any final decision.

One last thing: if you notice old info or errors on your record, fix them before applying—Tesla won’t do it for you. Being upfront about your criminal record gives you a better shot at moving ahead in the Tesla job process.

Improving Your Chances of Getting Hired

If you’ve got a past felony and dream of working at Tesla, don’t just wait and hope—they really do pick up on effort, growth, and honesty. Here’s how real people are getting in the door, even with a record.

First, get your story straight. Tesla asks direct questions about criminal history during the application process. Lying is usually what blows up a candidate’s chances. Instead, be up front about what happened, stick to the basics, and show what you’ve learned. If your felony is old and you’ve had steady work since, mention that. Plenty of hiring managers want to see how you’ve handled things since your mistake, not just what’s on paper.

• Update your resume—show off skills, work experience, and anything you’ve done since your conviction (like classes, volunteer work, or certifications). Tesla loves hands-on experience and tech know-how, even if it’s not from a fancy college.
• Secure solid references. If you’ve got bosses, coworkers, or even community leaders who’ll vouch for your character and hard work, that counts big time.
• Brush up on interview basics. Practice answers for tough questions about your criminal record, focusing on how you’ve changed, what you learned, and how you keep moving forward.
• Look for local programs that help folks with records get good jobs. Some cities and counties have resources or nonprofit groups that give tips, connections, and even mock interviews.

Keep in mind: Tesla usually screens harder for jobs with security concerns, or ones where you’d work around expensive equipment. If the felony was for something like theft or violence, they’ll probably look deeper and ask more follow-up questions. But if it’s unrelated—maybe something from years ago—they’ve been known to give people a shot, especially in jobs that aren’t tied to handling money or sensitive equipment.

If you’ve been through programs that help with rehabilitation or job training, mention them. Showing you’ve put in the work goes a long way during the hiring process.

A final pro tip: If you can, apply for internships, contract positions, or gigs through temp agencies that work with Tesla. Sometimes these are easier to land for folks with a record, and they can lead to full-time jobs once you prove yourself. Don’t underestimate the power of signing up for what you can, even if it’s not your dream role right away.

Common Questions and Real Stories

People want honest answers about whether Tesla will hire someone with a felony. A lot of folks ask the same questions, so here are some straight answers based on shared experiences and what’s been seen in public forums—even some tips right from ex-applicants.

• Does Tesla hire felons at all?
  Short answer: sometimes. Tesla doesn't have a public policy flat-out banning applicants with felonies. The decision often depends on what the felony was, how much time has passed, and how it ties to the job.
• How long should my record be clean before I apply?
  There’s no official timeline. But reports on job boards like Indeed and Reddit suggest if your felony is older than seven years and isn’t related to violence or theft, you have a better shot. Some folks say they got in after five, as long as they were honest on their Tesla application.
• What’s the Tesla background check like?
  They use standard national checks, usually handled by third-party companies. This covers criminal records, but also looks at driving history and drug tests for certain jobs. You’ll have to sign some paperwork for this to start, usually right after your interview.
• Can I work at Gigafactory or delivery centers with a record?
  There's proof online from people hired in production roles at the Gigafactories in Texas and Nevada even with old felonies—as long as the offense wasn’t related to machinery, drugs on the job, or theft of company property. Those spots care more about current behavior than old mistakes.

Want to see what real applicants have said? Here are a couple of examples:

• "I got hired as an assembly worker in Fremont with a 10-year-old felony. I was nervous about the background check but I told HR the truth during the interview, and they appreciated my honesty."
• "Tesla HR told me my old conviction wouldn’t be a problem for a warehouse position. But another guy said they passed on him for a security job because his felony was recent and related to theft."

To give you an idea of the odds, check out this summary from job reporting sites over the past two years:

The bottom line? Be honest on your application. Highlight what you’ve done since your offense and share references who can vouch for your work ethic. Every case is different, but those who got hired by Tesla didn’t hide their past—they explained it.