Hot Shot Trucking Companies
Hot Shot Trucking Companies
If you’re planning on starting a hot shot trucking company, DAT Carrier Authority can help take the hassle out of paperwork.
Whether you’re a hot shot owner-operator or a carrier, staying up to date with paperwork that lets you operate legally can be tough. Luckily, DAT Authority can make it easier by giving you access to a team of experts who will make sure you always have everything you need to stay on the road.
- Get your USDOT and MC number quickly.
- Automatically file important tax paperwork.
- Simplify your federal and state permit submission.
Get your USDOT and MC number quickly.
DAT Authority can help you get the numbers you need to get started in hot shot trucking.
Are you just starting out in hot shot trucking? You’ll need to fill out quite a bit of paperwork before you can start hauling freight. The good news is that meeting your requirements, like getting a USDOT and an MC number, doesn’t have to be a hassle. DAT Authority will help you every step of the way, double-checking to make sure all your information is accurate and your forms are complete the first time around. That way you’re free to start finding the best-paying hot shot loads as soon as possible!
Automatically file important tax paperwork.
Focus on your freight and not on all your tax forms with help from the experts at DAT.
For a hot shot truck driver, time is money. You don’t want to waste valuable time worrying about keeping registrations and tax information up-to-date. With DAT Authority, you don’t have to. We’ll automatically file those documents for you, which will reduce your hot shot trucking startup cost in the long run since you’ll never miss a deadline. That means you can focus on finding the right hot shot trucking loads without worrying about your paperwork!
Simplify your federal and state permit submission.
Get your permits and make sure you meet all your state and federal requirements with DAT Authority.
Hot shot trucking brokers and carriers both need authority to get started in the hot shot trucking businesses. That means meeting state requirements as well as federal ones. These can vary by state and keeping track of them all can be tough. Luckily, DAT Authority makes meeting those requirements simple. We will stay on top of all the regulations you need to abide by and work with you to ensure that you are always operating legally so you can focus on finding hot shot trucking loads.
"Some say it's simple to get your authority, and that you should save your money and do it yourself. Other people, including myself, are not sure where to even begin. I used a service provided by DAT to get my authority. It was important to me that it was done right the first time, by people who have done this before."
- Chad Boblett - Boblett Brothers Trucking
"They took me by the hand an led me through all of the diffiult and confusing steps to ensure that I started off on the right food. I cannot say it any clearer than these folks know what it's all about."
- Gregg Knight, LTL Trucking
As the name indicates, hot shot trucking companies are companies that move hot shot freight. This freight consists of smaller loads that are typically more time sensitive. For example, construction companies might need hot shot trucking loads delivered quickly to meet a tight deadline and keep a project on track.
Hot shot trucking companies can move loads locally, but a hot shot trucking owner-operator or carrier may also deliver hot shot trucking loads across the country.
In order to get started in hot shot trucking, a hot shot trucking owner-operator or driver will need a few specific pieces of equipment. Since hot shot trucking loads often consist of heavy equipment or building materials, you’ll need a powerful truck that can handle the weight. You may want to get a trailer instead of a pickup truck, though a pickup truck can also work well. The hot shot loads you can pick up will obviously depend on which type of vehicle you have, but most experts agree that a dually pickup truck works best for hauling hot shot trucking loads.
In addition to your physical equipment, hot shot trucking companies need to have a subscription to a quality load board in order to find freight that will get them on the road.
There are a few things hot shot trucking services need to get up and running. You can find a full list in our Carrier Startup Guide. But the most important things you’ll need to get started are a government-issued USDOT number and an MC number. From there, you’ll need the right insurance and to stay compliant with tax forms and regular drug testing. DAT Authority will help fill out all these forms and keep them up-to-date.
These numbers are essential for all hot shot trucking companies.
Your USDOT number is issued by the Department of Transportation and is used to collect and monitor information about safety and inspections as well as to investigate crashes.
The MC number comes from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and allows you to legally move freight across state lines. Anyone who plans to work as a hot shot truck driver moving freight interstate will need both certifications.
Brokers negotiate agreements for hot shot trucking loads between carriers and shippers. Hot shot trucking brokers need much of the same authority as hot shot truck drivers, including DOT and MC numbers. In addition, brokers also must be granted a FF (or freight forwarder) number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
As a hot shot owner-operator or carrier, you need to make sure that the hot shot trucking brokers you work with have their certifications. A great way to do that is by working with a load board, like the DAT Load Board, where you can be confident that all the brokers have their broker authority.
At a minimum, it will probably take around five to seven weeks to receive full authority at both a state and federal level. On average, federal clearance alone takes about 16 business days. From there, you’ll also need to file BOC-3 process agent forms (which are required for federal authority), find the appropriate insurance policies, and cover registration fees. Any errors or missing information on these forms can delay the process.
To keep that from happening, it’s best to work with the experts at DAT Authority who will help you fill out the paperwork so you can be sure it’s done correctly the first time.
Let DAT focus on the paperwork so you can focus on the road ahead!
Hot shot trucking companies often face a lot of red tape and paperwork to get up and running. DAT Authority takes the headache out of dealing with government agencies. Our experts will ensure your paperwork is filled out correctly the first time so you’ll be moving freight and making money in no time.