Are you dreaming of driving your own truck one day? Do you also want to own that truck and not just lease it? Are you thinking about becoming an owner-operator instead of leasing your truck? If you answered yes to these questions, then you’re on the right track. As a recent report revealed, there has been a steady growth in the number of Owner Operators Looking for Drivers across the country.
There are many benefits to becoming an owner-operator. Once you have acquired the necessary experience, buying a new or used truck is expensive. Leasing will still cost money every month and won’t give you any equity in return—that’s why so many drivers choose this option instead. However, if you buy your own truck, no one can take it away from you. You will have the opportunity to upgrade and make repairs without asking for permission from someone else first, which is amazing!
What is an Owner Operator?
An owner-operator is a driver who owns his or her own truck. Usually, owner-operators will have their own independent trucking business. This means that they have to find their own loads and make their own decisions about when, where, and how much to drive.
When you drive for a company, you’re a contractor. You’re basically the trucking version of an independent contractor. Leasing a truck isn’t really an option for owner-operators, since you can’t lease your own rig. Owner Operators Looking for Drivers are also called independent contractors or private fleets.
How to Become a Business Owner
How to Become an Owner Operator?
So you know what an owner operator is and what they do, but how do you become one? There are a few steps you will have to take to become an owner operator. The first thing you’ll need to do is get your commercial driver’s license. This is the first step toward driving a truck in any capacity. You may be able to take some classes online, depending on where you live.
The next step is to find Owner Operators Looking for Drivers who will hire you as an employee and let you drive one of the company’s trucks. Once you have found an employer, you’ll need to find a place to lease or buy a truck. You may have to do some research to find the right place to lease a truck. This may take some time, so be patient. Once you’re ready, you can start your career as an owner operator.
Here are 4 reasons why you should own a truck:
Expertise
After years of driving a truck on long or short trips, each driver acquires a great deal of skill and knowledge. This experience can add valuable resources to others, especially customers looking for someone reliable to make truck deliveries.
As someone who has been in the business for years, Owner Operators Looking for Drivers will know what to expect from delivery trips and will already understand the many rules and regulations associated with the trade.
Investment
Owner Operators Looking for Drivers, experienced truckers can shop for semi truck and trailer accessories or check out semi trailers for sale to start their business. This is an investment in themselves and in their future.
After working with manufacturers and merchants to move products where they are needed, these entrepreneurs will begin to have a stable business and generate profits. Owning your own truck or investing in one makes you eligible for owner-operator financing.
Recruit
With the current state of the economy, many major companies are laying off employees due to mismanagement of money or lack of sustainable contracts due to customer or contract issues. High overhead or instability causes energy to decrease, but the need for productivity increases. While trucking companies may not be able to support employees, the business is there. Products still have to move back and forth between customers and sales destinations.
By acting as Owner Operators Looking for Drivers, truck drivers can trust themselves on the job. Especially for those who have been laid off, this can lead to a promising alternative. By working with truck financing companies that provide owner and operator financing, truck drivers can return to work as self-employed entrepreneurs.
Beginning
In the trucking industry, most Owner Operators Looking for Drivers require truck drivers to have at least 12 months of experience before they are allowed to get behind the wheel on your behalf. Even the best novice driver out of school will have a hard time finding work in this economy, when many other experienced truckers are also vying for jobs.
An alternative to finding work with someone else is to become an independent business owner as an owner operator. This solves the problem of gaining experience and finding work in your field at the same time.
Learn the Basics of Trucking
This step is probably the most important one and is what all new owner-operators should focus on. You will have to learn the basics of trucking, such as how to get a load, where to find customers, etc. They can do this by attending trucking seminars and conferences.
You can also talk to other drivers and ask them questions. The more you know about this industry, the better you’ll be at it. There are many trucking schools across the country that can help you get started. You can also get the necessary training online. The more you know about the trucking industry, the better driver you’ll be.
Get Your CDL
If you’re reading this article, you’re probably already aware that you need a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive a commercial truck. The type of license you need will depend on what kind of truck you’ll be driving. There are three types of commercial driver’s licenses:
Class A, B, or C. The class of your CDL will depend on the type of truck you’ll be driving. You can get your commercial driver’s license at age 21 or older, depending on the state where you live. You’ll need to pass a written exam, a vision exam, and an on-the-road driving test.
On the road or local
Most people deal with different types of off-road or long-distance drivers when they first consider obtaining a commercial driver’s license (CDL). However, there are many CDL holders who operate locally, running businesses and corporations within a limited geographic area.
Long-haul drivers may be away from home for several days or weeks, depending on the specific requirements of the job. Long-distance drivers may be hired by shipping companies or companies and may travel locally, internationally, or between cities and specific locations on a regular basis. Most Owner Operators Looking for Drivers will have a Class A CDL, as well as different specializations and endorsements depending on the types of loads they move.
Local drivers
Local drivers generally work fairly standard hours per week and may or may not be required to work weekends. This option gives the driver time to stay home with family or stay home most, if not all, nights. Local drivers typically spend more time driving in cities and may or may not have designated routes and scheduled deliveries that are fairly routine.
Most domestic drivers will have a Class A or B CDL with or without endorsements. This will vary depending on the type of vehicle you are driving and the types and loads of trailers you will be hauling. With a Class B CDL, drivers are eligible to drive other types of heavy vehicles, including dump trucks and the like.
Comfortable with variety
Most commercial drivers must be flexible and comfortable handling a variety of different situations. Scheduling, traffic delays, waiting for loading or unloading, working with different people, erratic hours, and work weeks can all be a part of the job.
While some drivers will have a set route and routine, most drivers will find that there is a lot of variety in the job from day to day. If you’re comfortable with change and diversity and love the idea of doing something different and working with different people on a regular basis, you’ll enjoy the flexibility of a career.
Apply for an Employer Certificate of Sponsorship (COE)
If you want to work for a trucking company, you’ll have to apply for an Employer Certificate of Sponsorship (COE). This is basically a type of visa that lets you work in the United States and earn a regular salary. You can apply for both H-2-H and H-2-T visas.
If you apply for an H-2-H visa, you’ll have to be sponsored by a company that offers what’s known as “scale” wages. When you apply for the H-2-H visa, you’ll have to show that you’re getting paid at least the “scale” rate for your job.
Get a Reputable Leasing Company
The last but not least step towards becoming an owner operator is to find a reputable leasing company. A leasing company will help you get a great truck, get approved for a lease, and handle the paperwork.
Conclusion
Now that you know what an owner operator is and how to become one, it’s time to get started. You have to remember that this is a long process and it won’t happen overnight.
It will take time, but the end result will be worth it. There are many benefits to becoming an Owner Operators Looking for Drivers, such as getting paid by the mile, setting your own schedule, and being able to drive any type of truck.
