As a company driver...

You said hardhat, and vest. What company are we talking about. OTR, you dont need that. Some companies pay for tolls. All will pay for the Northeast tools. But some will not pay for other tolls. Such as Indiana turnpike. Kansas tollway. You get a fuel card. They have always paid for my loadbars, tires. Rest is your responsibilty. Hope that helps.

 

Nearly all large carriers will have ComData (fuel credit card) that you will use for fuel (most companies also designate a fuel routing that you must fuel where instructed). Tires and repairs will either be done at a place which the company has a national account with, or they will find a place which accepts comchecks (you will learn more about these later). Concerning tolls, that will vary from company to company, some have prepass inacted for all tolls (and PikePass for Oklahoma), while others you may have to pay tolls, but then send in receipts for reimbursement.

 

alot of shippers will make you wear a high vis vest on their site

 

I run flatbed and I need a hard hat and vest quite a bit.

 

My company gives us a fuel card.for fuel oil etc... we have EZ pass and Pre Pass for the scales, they reimbuse or provide a cash advance for other tolls, load locks, scales, lumpers etc.

Vest, gloves and that kind if thing is on you. Most places that require them have ones you can use.

 

Concerning hard hat and safety vest, this is also company specific. I pull alot of loads i pick up in Chemical plants where I have to supply my own vest and hardhat (they supply for first visit only) I had to purchase the items on my own, but I did get reimbursed for them.

 

It's good to keep a "fair amount" of cash on you. You can end up stuck somewhere for half a day for whatever reason, and to have no cash to eat on or otherwise entertain yourself sucks. There are a number of issues that come up where "cash is king". Also, winter coming on, you don't want to end up snowed in somewhere isolated with no cash. At the very least, always have some money available somewhere for ATM withdrawal, but don't do the piddly $20 ATM withdrawals that won't last 2 days, and cost $3.50 at a truck stop. If you're going to get cash on your ATM (or Comdata), get a minimum of $100.

 

In 18 years and thousands of shippers and reciever I have been to 1.. Tyson