Taking the leap...

I will offer the following suggestion. You are correct about the maintenance file. Carriers are required to keep records regarding inspection and maintenance. Check with a local Occupational and Health Clinic concerning Drug and Alcohol Testing. They are usually set up to provide such services. Check with OOIDA. At one time they had a list of clinics by state and city that were approved by DOT to do the tests. I would also suggest that you set up with the clinic a testing schedule for you. I was set up to do the tests every 6 months. Keeps DOT happy and really helps you in case of an accident. An accurate record from such a clinic really puts "ambulance chasers" in a bind. They can't dispute the records. You might check your local yellow pages under Motor Carrier Services. These are people who help O/O's get their Authority, IFTA, BOC-3, etc. They usually can point you in the direction of a DOT approved clinic. Some will dispute this but from first hand experience I can tell you that not every doctor or clinic is approved or acceptable to the DOT. Make sure yours is! Good Luck with becoming an O/O. I believe with proper planning and a willingness to work anyone can be successful. Planning is the key. One other piece of advice: Permit only for those states you currently run in or plan to run in. I was permitted for 25 states and my plate cost less than $1300.00. I have a friend who was plated for 48 states and in 2008 his plates were almost $2000.00. After I told him what mine cost for 2009 he is now plated for 16 midwest states and saved almost $700.00 per truck. It's something to think about.

 

KYU # http://www.lrc.ky.gov/KRS/138-00/660.PDF

 

Unless you're running a NAFTA Truck...why the 720?

The 1040 and the 2290 are the only ones I file....

 

Respectfully I would permit for Kansas. If you unload in Denver and there's a load going to IN,OH,GA, etc you don't want to be up on I-80 going to these states. JMO

 

stepnfetchit, You drug testing plan may not be what is required. You need to belong to a group that can call you for a random drug test.

Random Testing (382.305)
DOT regulations mandate that the company establish a random drug and alcohol testing program. The rate for drug testing must be 50% and the rate for alcohol testing must be 10%, based on the average number of driver positions.
Selection must be made by a scientifically valid method and testing must be spread reasonably throughout the calendar year. If the company conducts testing through a consortium, the number of drivers to be tested may be calculated based on the total number of drivers covered by the consortium.
Random alcohol testing shall only be conducted on a driver while on duty, just before driving or just after driving.