The trucking industry contributes immensely to the U.S. economy. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the trucking industry earned $732.3 billion in revenue by transporting 72.5% of the country’s freight by weight. That same year, over 900,000 drivers were employed in as many as 996,000 for-hire trucking carriers.
The future of this industry is looking bright, with a projected job growth rate of 6% between 2020 to 2030. This is why now may be a good time to consider registering for commercial truck owner-operator authority.Â
Essentially, you become a motor carrier with owner-operator authorization. The two are almost identical, except motor carriers are typically large companies. As an owner-operator, you obtain load, get compensated, and operate your business independently while following federal, state, and local laws. You’re your own boss.
If you think owner-operator authority is perfect for you, it's time to jumpstart your business. The first thing that you should do is set up an LLC. This will separate your personal and business assets.
Afterward, you can accomplish the Unified Registration System (URS) application on FMCSA’s website and get your motor carrier and DOT number. Sometimes, you can even receive your motor carrier and DOT number during the URS application process.
Finally, you’re given 21 days to get a commercial truck insurance policy. This is based on the minimum requirements and your classification set by the FMCSA.
Some people think leasing onto a carrier is the better option for various reasons.
First, you work with lower operating costs thanks to discounts on petrol, tires, and maintenance usually negotiated by large carriers. With a carrier, you can focus full-time on driving because you’ll have dispatchers and back-office staff to take care of things like loads and administrative work. For those who are hesitant to lease onto a carrier, note that you also have the option to own equipment while operating under a carrier’s authority.
Many new operators also choose to lease from carriers because it's a good way to learn the ins and outs of the industry and fine-tune their operations. At the end of the day, the decision is yours, so it’s very important to be well-informed and consider all the factors involved.
If you've decided on registering for owner-operator authority, go through the pros and cons first. While the idea of becoming your own boss is appealing, it also comes with plenty of challenges. We’ve outlined the advantages and disadvantages, so you know what to expect.
No one will tell you which loads to take or routes to follow. You're free to make short loops in two or three cities or take direct routes. You can even take long road trips across the country if that's what you want.
When it comes to scheduling your workday, you're in total command. You can choose to take several weeks off or work more hours than usual so that you can earn bigger. But at the same time, you still have to adhere to the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
Working for yourself gives you the power to set your own prices. Of course, your maximum rates may still be determined partly by market pressures which may differ in various regions. Beyond that, you have plenty of control over how much you earn.
While expenses will be deducted, owner-operators with their own authority are entitled to keep the profits they make from their businesses. However, don’t forget that costs are higher when running your own business.
You may get to decide your hours and hauls, but that doesn’t necessarily mean having less work. Sometimes, you may even have to put in more hours than you’re used to since you’ll be establishing processes, working on paperwork, comparing commercial truck insurance rates, securing motor truck cargo insurance on your own, and so on.
The majority of brokers dislike working with brand-new carriers, so there's a chance that you'll have to wait around 90 days upon gaining authority. Once you’ve found a new broker, building your relationship from scratch can be challenging. A good load board with clear feedback can go a long way.
It’s no secret that the transportation industry is heavily regulated. Since you don’t have the luxury of having compliance officers working for you, you will have to keep up with all those regulations by yourself.
Before going any further, know that authority isn’t needed if you haul your own freight, federally unregulated cargo, or operate in commercial zones that are free from interstate regulations. With that out of the way, you can finally learn how to start the challenging yet exciting journey of owner-operator authority.
The cargo you’ll carry determines the authority you need to obtain. That’s why some carriers require numerous permits when transporting various goods. Moving cargo within certain states may also need Intrastate Authority. You can find out more at the FMCSA website.
Choose a name for your business and file it with your state. You may need to file it under an assumed name or DBA (doing business as).
An account can help you optimize the structure of your trucking business to ensure success. You can do more reading on Research Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), C Corporations, S Corporations, Partnerships, and Sole Proprietorships to make an informed decision.
Obtain your Employer Identification Number (EIN) through the IRS website. This is required for your business taxes.
Some owner-operators make the mistake of waiting until the end before checking if they’ve been approved for commercial truck insurance. What if you need bobtail insurance, for example, and don't get the approval on time? That's going to waste a lot of time and resources.
The MC number is for the purpose of identifying interstate carriers moving regulated goods for hire. You can get it from the FMCSA website.
The IFTA sticker is yours once you've registered with them. You’re already on your way when that’s done, but remember to get a trucking software package. It can greatly help dispatches, invoices, and IFTA filings. You’ll avoid plenty of penalties and downtime that way.
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How can owner-operators get loads?
Nowadays, there are many ways to get loads. You can use a load board, look for a freight broker, hire a dispatching service, or even sign up for load-matching apps.
What is the difference between a US DOT number and an MC number?
US DOT numbers are for carriers that operate within interstate commerce. Meanwhile, MC numbers are for interstate carriers that haul regulated items for hire.
Are US DOT and MC numbers transferable?
US DOT numbers are not transferable, but MC numbers are. You can learn more about them through the FMCSA website.
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