To become an owner-operator truck driver, you need a CDL, business skills, and savings. Get a license, gain experience, buy or rent a rig, and find cargo to haul either by hiring a carrier or going independent.
To become an owner-operator truck driver, you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL), good business acumen, and substantial savings or a strong credit history. If you are not already a commercial driver, the first step to becoming an owner-operator truck driver is to obtain a license. After that, you might want to get some experience driving for another company. A lot of owner-operator work is done off road (OTR), so you may choose to work for a trucking company that offers this type of driving. The next step is to buy your own rig or rent one, at which point you can start hauling cargo as an owner-operator.
To become an owner-operator truck driver, you first need a commercial driver’s license. There are many trucking schools that can teach you what you need to know, but typically you must pass written and practical exams provided by your local department of motor vehicles (DMV). Usually, a commercial endorsement is added to your regular license when you can legally drive large vehicles for commercial operations.
An important step on the path to becoming an owner-operator truck driver is to gain experience. The best way to do this may be to work for an existing company that handles the type of freight you want to haul your own truck. If you plan on taking long OTR trips, you should have experience with a long-distance trucking company. How much experience you get this way is up to you, but you should get very comfortable handling your rig and navigating the roads before taking the next step.
Buying your own rig is usually the next logical step in becoming an owner-operator truck driver. You may want to do a lot of research at this step, as these vehicles can be quite expensive. The rig price typically needs to be weighed against factors such as fuel economy and maintenance costs, as you may be responsible for all of these expenses as owner-operator. If you’ve saved up enough money, you can buy a rig right away, but you can also get a bank loan or lease a rig.
Once you have your own gear, the last step is finding cargo to haul. The two different options normally available are to hire a specific carrier or to go completely independent. Each of these options can provide benefits; therefore, you will normally need to make your choice based on what exactly you are looking for. Working with a carrier can provide you with regularly guaranteed jobs, but going independent can give you greater freedom of choice over what you transport and when you do it.
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