When it comes to the steps and requirements, trucking company owners have a full plate of work to be done!
Now of course, there are benefits too, but before you even go into that topic, you will need to first roll your sleeves and do some hard work!
The fruits will be sweet, but the sweat needs to come first!
I am not trying to scare you here, but from my personal experience and long years in the logistic side of the trucking business there’s a lot to know. Additionally, from what I’ve heard and been told, believe me it’s a whole lot of hassle before you can enjoy the fruits!
People believe that trucking company owners have it easy! They think that owning a trucking business is as simple as it could be! But, the truth is that it’s all the opposite.
Not everyone is cutout for this spot! Much like not everyone can start a food truck business and be successful! Not everyone can be an OTR driver or a dispatcher!
Trucking company owners need a technical skills and business knowledge to achieve success.
With other words trucking company owners need a special oomph to run a successful trucking company.
It takes more than having money and passion for the business! You will need to recognize the possibilities and the opportunities, but in the same time the risk and the great responsibility that comes with it as well!
Trucking company owners should stay on the top of the business and make sure that all is under control.
So now you know that the people with the title trucking company owners are a special type of people! They have the ability to be leaders, and now everyone has it these days!
How Trucking Company Owners Should Start and Run the Business?
Running a trucking company business is not for everyone. It takes special skills to first start it and then run it. And not just run it, but to run it successfully!
Every factor that can influence income, stability and prosperity is a meter to the trucking company owners that should take everything in consideration and make the best out of it! This is at least how I see successful trucking company owners!
Now, don’t give up before you try!
Even if the odds are telling different, you should follow your dreams and try to be one of those trucking company owners that are on the front page of the trucking magazines, and everyone has heard of!
But before you start imagining your picture on the front page of a magazine, let me give you 101 lesson on what all is there on the road to becoming one of the successful trucking company owners.
101 Lessons for New Trucking Company Owners
There is a great opportunity for new transportation businesses to raise, but keep in mind that the trucking industry is an extremely competitive field.
Because of all the competition out there, if you considering opening a trucking business or already made your mind and are sure that you want to own a trucking business, make sure you know all the steps and requirements for trucking company owners!
Save yourself energy, time and money, by thoroughly researching the industry. Research online and check some driver forums before you jump in!
To help you get started, let me first start by telling you that when you start a trucking company, you will have to deal and comply with many rules and regulations from government agencies like:
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA);
- Safety and Fitness Electronic Records (SAFER);
- US Department of Transportation (DOT);
- Federal Motor Safety Carrier Administration (FMCSA);
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA);
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);
- United States Department of Labor (DOL);
- Federal Highway Administration;
- Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Every one of the trucking company owners should be well prepared and follow the traditional steps to starting a business.
As with any new business venture, you should understand the basics of starting a business, and then research the further steps specific to your field.
There is no way you should know all upfront, but don’t worry, you will get there!
You will learn as you go! That’s how things go in life. We learn every day! One step at the time and soon enough you will be pro and holding classes on how to open/ run a trucking company to newly trucking company owners!
The following are the things that you should keep in mind before starting a trucking business, so read it well!
Decide How Your Trucks Will Operate
The trucking company owners should first determine the purpose of their trucking business.
First then all, they should identify what kind of freight will be transported and where the freight will go.
Some types of goods will also have particular requirements like example proper equipment. Furthermore, states also have their specific laws and regulations regarding interstate goods transport.
So it’s important for the trucking company owners to determine all of these miscellaneous tidbits, before they even go further.
After you sort out all that and had determined what type of trucking business you would like to start, it’s time to identify how your trucks will operate.
Trucking businesses normally operate using one of two different forms and methods. The difference lies in how they acquire drivers to fulfill their accounts and contracts.
With other words it will all depend on the contracts and how they get their drivers.
The trucking company owners can decide:
- That they want to go with company truck drivers, and hire them in the company; or
- They can choose to go with owner operators or sub-contracted drivers.
Company Truck Drivers
If trucking company owners choose the option to privately run their business and all the other operations, they should consider employing fleet of private company truck drivers.