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Driver Expenses on the Road

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by KCGuy, Sep 29, 2009.

  1. Sep 29, 2009 #1
    KCGuy

    KCGuy Light Load Member

    68
    11
    Sep 20, 2009
    Kansas City, MO
    0
    I am considering driver training but have a couple of questions. These may sound stupid but to me there are no stupid questions only stupid people.

    What are the extra expenses that a company driver has to pay? Are you responsible to unload the trailer? If so, how do you handle off loading and lumpers pay? What about permits? Are those obtained by the trucking company or does the driver have to obtain any permit and who pays for them? How do trucking companies handle such small items as oil, washer fluid, light bulbs and such? What about fess on toll roads?

    Are there other expenses that I should know about? Thanks in advance.
     
    KCGuy, Sep 29, 2009
    KCGuy, Sep 29, 2009
    #1
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  3. Sep 29, 2009 #2
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    Company drivers don't pay for anything. If, by chance, you front the cash for an item (toll,motor oil, weight ticket,light bulb) get a receipt and turn it in, you'll be re-imbursed.
     
    Allow Me., Sep 29, 2009
    Allow Me., Sep 29, 2009
    #2
  4. Sep 29, 2009 #3
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
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    A large expense such as lumpers will be paid direct to the lumper via a com-check which you ask for through your dispatcher.
     
    Allow Me., Sep 29, 2009
    Allow Me., Sep 29, 2009
    #3
  5. Sep 30, 2009 #4
    Scuby

    Scuby Heavy Load Member

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    Mar 10, 2007
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    Also if your truck breaks down and your a company driver the company pays for it as well as fuel. The Federal Government allows $52 a day in per diem for food while your away from home. Any reasonable expense that the driver's pays for (such as a cell phone) thats use for work is tax deductable.
     
    Scuby, Sep 30, 2009
    Scuby, Sep 30, 2009
    #4
  7. Oct 2, 2009 #5
    KCGuy

    KCGuy Light Load Member

    68
    11
    Sep 20, 2009
    Kansas City, MO
    0
    Thanks...I appreciate the information.
     
    KCGuy, Oct 2, 2009
    KCGuy, Oct 2, 2009
    #5
  8. Oct 4, 2009 #6
    striker

    striker Road Train Member

    6,023
    6,439
    Aug 8, 2009
    Denver, Co
    0
    I'm a company driver, here is just some of my work related annual deducitons for last year:

    1. $52.00 per day meals when I'm on the road (which varies from 1 night to 3 nights per week) even though I might only spend $10 to $20 per day, I claim the full amount.

    2. ATM surcharges for getting cash from the ATM while on the road for meals

    3. Local street maps that I carry in the truck

    4. Annual map updates to my GPS

    5. New Motor Carrier Atlas every 3 yrs

    6. 4 new pair of jeans, only worn for work

    7. Approximent costs (about $2.00 per week) for laundry for washing my company shirts

    8. New CB

    9. New T.V for truck

    10. Cleaning supplies for truck

    11. Work boots

    12. 4 pair of new gloves ( I buy four new pair every Jan. 1st and they last me all year)

    13. Hand tools that I carry in the truck which the company does not supply. Since I haul containers we have to carry bolt cutters. The company supplies cheapies that break regularly. I went out and bought a $150.00 set that has replaceable jaws and weighs 20 lbs. I've replaced the jaws twice # $35.00 per set.

    14. Cellphone calls to dispatch or customers, even though I don't get an itemized bill from Verizon, I keep track of the calls. Last year I claimed 450 minutes # $.25 cpm, this is based on what Verizon charges me if I go over my minutes.

    I'm sure there were other things.
     
    striker, Oct 4, 2009
    striker, Oct 4, 2009
    #6
  9. Oct 4, 2009 #7
    REDD

    REDD The Legend

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    Jun 29, 2009
    Dueling Banjoville
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    Whats your secret? I go through 2 pairs a month easily.
     
    REDD, Oct 4, 2009
    REDD, Oct 4, 2009
    #7
  10. Oct 4, 2009 #8
    Scuby

    Scuby Heavy Load Member

    816
    235
    Mar 10, 2007
    0
    Don't buy cheap stuff. Also a laptop can be tax decutible if use for truck related record keeping.
     
    Scuby, Oct 4, 2009
    Scuby, Oct 4, 2009
    #8
  11. Oct 4, 2009 #9
    ChromeDome

    ChromeDome Road Train Member

    3,706
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    Jun 10, 2007
    Lakeland, FL
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    A TV is for entertainment. Same as DVDs, books ect. These are not deductable.
    The others are.
    Also I saw somewhere that Perdiem was raised to 59 a day as of Oct.1. and will still be the 80%. I have not seen this officially yet though.
     
    ChromeDome, Oct 4, 2009
    ChromeDome, Oct 4, 2009
    #9
  12. Oct 5, 2009 #10
    notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

    10,311
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    Jan 1, 2007
    NASA HQ
    0
    He doesn't tarp. I use the more expensive leather ones and they don't last... It is the dang bungies... it is always 2 fingers that I wear out...:biggrin_25521:
     
    notarps4me, Oct 5, 2009
    notarps4me, Oct 5, 2009
    #10
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