How To Start An Owner-Operator Trucking Business In 10 Steps

How To Start An Owner-Operator Trucking Business In 10 Steps

Ready to start driving for yourself? Find out how to start a trucking business as an owner-operator in this comprehensive 10-step guide.

Written by Nick B

Maybe you’ve been working as a company driver for years, and you’re ready to go into business for yourself. Maybe you’re a logistics entrepreneur ready to haul freight alongside an expanding fleet. Either way, you need to know how to start a trucking business as an owner-operator—a task that differs considerably from less independent entries into the industry. This owner-operator startup guide tells you everything you need to know.

The Owner-Operator Business: Advantages And Challenges To Consider

There are lots of reasons why experienced drivers and first-time carriers alike may want to start an owner-operator trucking company. Owner-operators enjoy a range of benefits compared to company drivers:

Of course, there’s another side to the owner-operator coin. Company drivers have limited, clearly delineated responsibilities. As a business owner, you’ll face a lot of work that employees don’t. The challenges of running your own trucking business include:

With traditional factoring companies, it’s easy to get bogged down in hidden fees, restrictive contracts, and slow payments. Bobtail provides the solution. Open the Bobtail app to enter freight details, upload a bill of lading, and get paid that same day (or the following day if you upload your information in the evening). There’s just one low factoring fee, with no hidden costs, and Bobtail accounts are contract-free. It’s the simplest and most profitable way to fund your owner-operator business through the early growth stages—and beyond.

Ready to get funding for your owner-operator trucking business? Start a free Bobtail trial today.


The Trucking Owner-Operator: How To Get Started

Most new owner-operators are eager to get on the road, but first you have to get your affairs in order. Follow these 10 steps to start your owner-operator business and begin hauling freight as quickly as possible.

1. Obtain a federal tax ID.

The first step toward starting a trucking business in the United States is to register with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You can accomplish this by filing for an Employer Identification Number, or EIN. The EIN functions like your company’s social security number, allowing you to pay all required federal and state taxes. Luckily, it’s quick and relatively easy to get your EIN. Just use the IRS’ EIN Assistant tool to apply online.

2. Register your business in your state of residence.

You establish your business as a legal entity at the state level. You may operate as a sole proprietor, a limited liability company (LLC), or even a partnership; regardless of which you choose, your state will require registration through the Secretary of State’s office or your state’s business agency. Find the relevant state website with the Small Business Association’s guide, and then follow the instructions to found your business officially.

3. File for a USDOT number.

To haul freight between state lines, most states require you to have a Department of Transportation (DOT) number, assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This unique number identifies your business for federal safety monitoring, audits, inspections, and other regulatory proceedings. Get your USDOT number through FMCSA’s United Registration System.

4. Apply for Operating Authority with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Along with the USDOT number, FMCSA requires most carriers to obtain Authority to Operate, indicated by the designation of a Motor Carrier (MC) number. The fee for this authorization is currently $300, and you can apply through the United Registration System on the FMCSA website, the same tool you use to get the USDOT number.

5. Sign up for the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse and maintain DOT compliance.

Both FMCSA and DOT require CDL holders to register with the Commercial Driver’s License Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse. Additionally, you will need to join a drug and alcohol testing consortium, which will place you in a random testing pool to ensure ongoing compliance. You must also maintain a Driver Qualification File (DQF) with initial documents and ongoing updates, including but not limited to pre-employment drug screening, passing an annual DOT physical, maintaining an active CDL-A license, and reviewing driving records.

6. Complete a successful New Entrant Safety Audit with FMCSA.

At some point in the first 12 months of your new operation, your business must pass a Safety Audit through FMCSA. In order for your DOT number to remain active, you must remain compliant. Any violations found can involve hefty fines and your business can be put out of service until issues are resolved. Contact FMCSA through its Safety Audit information page for more information on preparing for this step.

7. Secure a license with the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA).

The International Fuel Tax Agreement simplifies the collection and payment of fuel use taxes across states and in the Canadian provinces bordering the U.S. An IFTA license allows you to engage in interstate travel while paying a single quarterly tax on fuel, no matter where the purchase takes place. Apply for an IFTA license through your state’s relevant agency, which IFTA refers to as a “base jurisdiction.” Find your base jurisdiction with IFTA’s locator tool.

8. Buy or lease a rig and license it.

Leasing a truck—essentially renting for a set term—involves fewer up-front costs than buying a truck outright. If you can afford a down payment, on the other hand, buying your rig could save you money in the long run. Either way, you’ll need a dependable, fully licensed vehicle to get your owner-operator trucking business up and running.

9. Insure your operation.

In order to insure your truck and your business, you’ll need to complete the preceding steps. Regulatory bodies from states to FMCSA place minimum insurance requirements on carriers; talk to an insurance professional for details in your area. Different insurers may provide varying rates, so it pays to shop around, starting with a simple internet search for “commercial truck insurance.”

10. Install an FMCSA-certified Electronic Logging Device (ELD) in your cab.

Drivers must keep records of duty service (RODS) that track driving time, hours of service (HOS), and other performance data. Since 2019, U.S. law requires drivers to use ELDs to maintain these records automatically. Refer to this list of ELDs certified by FMCSA, and install one before your first haul.
With these 10 steps complete, you’re ready for the next set of challenges: Finding customers, accepting jobs, and hauling freight—all subjects for later posts. The first step is understanding how to start a trucking business as an owner-operator, and with this information in hand, you’re ready to begin. To keep operating funds flowing quickly as your business grows, call Bobtail at 410-204-2084 for contract-free, full-service factoring.