Hot Shot Trucking DOT Regulations
Hot Shot Trucking DOT Regulations
We’ll take on the regulatory paperwork—so you can focus on your business.
If you want to start your own hot shot trucking business, it’s important to focus on providing high-quality service. But there are also regulatory challenges to watch out for, which can be time-consuming. That’s where the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program comes in—we specialize in handling the paperwork for hotshot trucking requirements.
- DAT’s experts can help you start a hot shot business.
- Let DAT take care of your applications and paperwork.
- Ensure you’re in compliance with DOT rules for hot shot drivers.
DAT’s experts can help you start a hot shot business.
Skip the hassle—DAT’s experts are here to help you fulfill your hot shot driver requirements.
We’ll handle the hotshot DOT requirements to get your business up and running. We’re experts in hot shot trucking DOT regulations, federal and state permits, and other requirements for hot shot trucking—so you don’t have to be. The DAT Copilot™ Authority Program supports you through the entire process, helping you avoid costly delays and unnecessary confusion.
Let DAT take care of your applications and paperwork.
DAT helps you satisfy government regulations so that you can focus on out-performing competitors.
At DAT, we know that starting a hot shot business and fulfilling hotshot requirements can involve time-consuming paperwork. We’ll take care of the forms for authority, federal and state permits, and DOT requirements for hotshot trucking. DAT is well-versed and up-to-date in government and industry regulations, including hot shot trucking DOT regulations. We monitor your stats—from emissions to weight standards—to help ensure you’re in line with requirements.
Ensure you’re in compliance with DOT rules for hot shot drivers.
Need help navigating DOT hotshot regulations and other requirements? The experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program are here to support you.
When you sign up to work with the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program, we make it our business to get you your MC number, along with the rest of DOT regulations for hot shot drivers, as soon as possible. We’ll speed you through the approval process, so you can spend less of your valuable time worrying about forms and hot shot trucking DOT regulations. DAT’s experts take on the responsibility of making sure your forms and permits get filed on time every year.
"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 difficult and confusing steps to ensure that I started off on the right foot. I cannot say it any clearer than these folks know what it's all about."
- Gregg Knight, LTL Trucking
Hot shot truckers deliver smaller, time-sensitive loads. Instead of Class 8 semis, they usually drive super-duty pickups with trailers. You can become an owner-operator with your own motor carrier (MC) number or lease with another company. Drivers often rack up experience as a hot shot trucker before taking the often expensive and riskier plunge into driving a semi-truck. Hot shot trucking can be lucrative, but given the lower barrier to entry, there’s a lot of competition—which means offering high-quality service is especially important.
Before getting started, check out our Hot Shot Trucking Startup Guide. All hot shot drivers—and anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle—need a commercial driver’s license (CDL). You’ll also need to get a physical examination in order to receive a Department of Transportation (DOT) medical card.
A commercial insurance test quote can help you decide whether to become an owner-operator or lease with another company. You’ll also need to make a business plan, obtain insurance and a vehicle, and ensure you’re complying with hot shot trucking DOT regulations. If you need support with the paperwork, DAT Copilot™ Authority Program can help.
Hot shot truckers may not be subject to all of the same regulations as drivers who operate larger vehicles. However, you will need to obtain a DOT medical card, commercial driver’s license (CDL), and—if you’re involved in interstate commerce—a DOT and MC number. You’ll need to get operating authority from the DOT, which determines what type of cargo you can carry. Drivers will also go through a hotshot DOT inspection to ensure compliance. For more info on regulations and standards that may be applicable, check out our guide on How to Start a Trucking Business.
In addition to following hot shot trucking DOT regulations and obtaining all the necessary permits and paperwork, there are other hot shot trucking requirements to keep in mind. Most importantly, hot shot drivers need a pickup truck and a trailer for hauling loads, as well as some basic equipment like straps, chains, and tarps. You’ll also need to locate hot shot trucking loads. DAT’s load board makes it simple and efficient to find hot shot freight.
Your DOT number is an identifier that is issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and it’s the main method for tracking your trucking business. It’s used to monitor info around things like safety, inspections, and accident investigations. Your MC number, issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), allows you to participate in interstate commerce.
Fulfilling all the hot shot trucking requirements can take some time. It may take five to seven weeks to finish the state and federal approval process. Between filling out BOC-3 process agent forms, selecting insurance policies, and sorting out registration fees and other required documentation, there’s much to take care of. That’s where the experts at the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program can help—we’ll streamline this process and handle the paperwork, so you can focus on moving freight.
Cover all hot shot trucking DOT regulations with the DAT Copilot™ Authority Program.
The DAT Copilot™ Authority Program will help you deal with the government regulations and the paperwork—and on top of that, you’ll get dedicated expertise to help you start your hot shot trucking business without a hitch.
DAT Copilot™
Authority Bundle
- Federal MC Authority ($300)
- BOC-3 MC Authority ($30)
- 50% off DAT One for 6 months (from $150)
- The DAT One Fuel Card with a $60 rebate and $100 preloaded
- Discounted factoring rate from OTR Solutions
- Free commercial trucking insurance quote from Marquee Insurance Group