Start Your Own Trucking Business

If you enjoy driving, you may be able to make a good living as a trucker. Starting your own trucking business allows you to set your own hours and be your own boss. This is a particularly good business for anyone who has worked as a truck driver in the past, since they will have insider knowledge of the industry. Here are three things you'll want to do as the owner of a trucking company:

1. Obtain a truck.

The first thing you'll need is a freight truck. You can either rent one or buy it outright, depending on the amount of capital you have available. Both methods have their benefits. Renting can keep your startup costs low, but it has the potential to cost you more in the long run. You may be able to find a suitable compromise by purchasing a truck secondhand. If you find a used truck that looks promising, make sure you have a mechanic thoroughly inspect it before making the purchase final. Repair work can be costly and end up costing you more than a brand new truck.

2. Expand your business.

When you're just starting out, you can fulfill all the pickups and deliveries yourself by operating locally. As you get more customers, you may want to expand your operations into the greater state area. You can even operate on an interstate basis. Keep in contact with truck drivers you meet. Networking is a great way to meet potential employees and business partners. When you're ready to grow your fleet, give them a call and see if they'd be interested in working for you. Make sure you know exactly what you're offering, so you can present a good case for why they should work for you.

3. Make sure you have all the necessary permits.

The trucking industry is regulated in order to protect the safety of truck drivers and the community, as well as to preserve local roads. If you want to stay out of legal trouble, make sure you have all the necessary permits. If you plan to drive in multiple states regularly, you should get an International Registration Plan tag for your license plate. This will allow you to operate freely in any state and in parts of Canada. If you plan to haul overweight items, you will need to get the correct permit and pay the applicable fee; if your truck combined with its cargo weighs over 55,000 pounds, you need an overweight permit.

For more information on trucking permits contact a resource in your area.