Starting out on the road, trucking independence starts when you become a self employed operator. Contrary to popular misconception, were you aware that independent contractors and self employed truckers haul the majority of freight?
It is not something you consider when passing branded wagons and trailers all bearing corporate logos and slogans. This is due mainly to the independent drivers owning the cab and not the trailer of freight they are pulling. Being self employed in the trucking and transportation industry is becoming more and more popular.
Owning a truck and running your own trucking business is not to dissimilar to any other business. Elements such as strategy, planning and finances all still need to be accounted for and let us not forget our end of year tax bills, tax still needs to be paid assuming that you make a profit. The key to making a profit is within these stages and being able to drum up some business.
Business can be made to whom ever you prefer, you are able to pick and choose who you operate for. Truck Brokers and Agents can provide you contracts with firms, or you can negotiate your own directly, avoiding the middleman thus saving yourself and the client money.
Brokers work essentially as middlemen who have contracts with companies to deliver a certain number of units over a given period of time. They make money by finding the most viable truck drivers to pull their clients product to its destination.
This isn’t always the cheapest driver, but usually a weighting between this, experience and previous successful campaigns.
To become a self employed truck driver, you are going to need some wheels. Unfortunately specialist vehicles like these do not come cheaply.
Brand new trucks are obviously more expensive than second hand ones which also run the higher risk of breaking down and developing faults, the trade of between these needs to be taken into account.
During purchase you will need to consider if it is better for you to obtain finance, lease a truck or just buy the truck outright. Usually a truck brand new is anywhere between $ 150,000 – $ 200,00. The cost is more should you add extras and really kit it out, making the truck your own.
In starting out it will be hard for a while, every business will be difficult to get traction. Trucking is especially difficult because of the high set-up costs, don’t let this deter you. The benefits of being an independent truck owner operator are huge.
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