{"id":20210,"date":"2023-11-29T07:03:20","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T15:03:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/?p=20210"},"modified":"2024-11-13T09:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T17:14:02","slug":"how-to-get-loads-as-an-owner-operator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dat.com\/resources\/how-to-get-loads-as-an-owner-operator","title":{"rendered":"How to Get Loads as an Owner-operator"},"content":{"rendered":"

As an owner-operator, one of your top priorities is finding the right freight. However, finding loads can be difficult if you don\u2019t have the right strategy.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Being an owner-operator is a lot of work. Not only will you need to handle the paperwork of starting and running a business and lease or purchase a vehicle on your own, but you\u2019ll also have to handle your finances and maintain your truck consistently. On top of all that, you\u2019ll need to find loads if you\u2019re an independent owner-operator.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to be one of the best owner-operator companies on the road, you\u2019ll need the right strategy for finding freight. After all, if you don\u2019t move fast enough or don\u2019t make strategic decisions when it comes to loads, you\u2019ll quickly fall behind the competition. On the other hand, if you consistently find <\/span>truck loads for owner-operators<\/span><\/a> and make profitable trips, you can rise and become one of the best owner-operator companies out there.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is an owner-operator?<\/h2>\n

While many truck drivers operate vehicles owned by their carrier employer, owner-operators own or lease their truck and other equipment. May owner-operators lease on with a carrier, essentially working as contractors who operate under the carrier’s MC number. This arrangement gives owner-operators more flexibility than company drivers. They\u2019re often responsible for their own expenses, but have the benefit of the carrier providing them with loads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Leasing on with a carrier increases an owner-operator\u2019s earning potential when compared to a company driver, but they\u2019re still sharing profits with the carrier. For completely independent owner-operators, they operate as their own carrier under their own MC number. They\u2019re responsible for finding their own loads and everything else that comes with running a trucking business. While they\u2019ll have a higher earning potential than their leased-on counterparts, independent owner-operators will assume more risk and must take on more responsibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter what kind of owner-operator you want to be, there are a few things all owner-operators need to do before hauling their first load.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to become an owner-operator<\/h2>\n

While there are certainly perks to <\/span>becoming an owner-operator<\/span><\/a>, it also requires a lot of upfront work if you want to succeed. Not only do you need to have the appropriate permits and licenses in place before you can hit the road, but you also need to have a solid business plan. After all, you want to be ready to hit the ground running with a plan for success. To become an owner-operator, you\u2019ll need to:<\/span><\/p>\n

Gain some driving experience<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve never driven a truck before, being an owner-operator might not be the right step for you right now. Many owner-operators start as company drivers to get experience without all the financial risk that comes with being your own boss. Plus, being a commercial driver will allow you to discover if you like over-the-road (OTR) trucking or prefer shorter trips before you sink time and money into your business only to discover you might not actually enjoy the type of driving you signed up for.<\/span><\/p>\n

You\u2019ll likely need a <\/span>commercial driver\u2019s license (CDL)<\/span><\/a>. The good news is that it\u2019s not particularly difficult to earn your CDL. You\u2019ll just need to pass a physical exam, study your state\u2019s CDL handbook (or take a class), and pass a knowledge test. Then, you can earn your CDL permit and take the CDL skills test to receive your full license and start driving commercial trucks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Form a business<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If you decide to become an owner-operator, you\u2019ll need to form a legitimate business. Visit your state\u2019s Secretary of State\u2019s website to determine if your intended business name is available. Then decide on a business structure (options include a limited liability company (LLC), sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation). Finally, complete the application, pay your registration fee, and submit your paperwork.<\/span><\/p>\n

Obtain your operating authority<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve formed your business, you may decide to go independent. If so, you\u2019ll need to get your <\/span>owner-operator authority<\/span><\/a>. To do this, you\u2019ll need the following:<\/span><\/p>\n