Advice For New MC

1. Yes, it's gna be expensive
2. Yes, gna be hard
Amazon doesn't take new mc last I heard

 

No sense in getting a US DOT number with MC authority as an interstate carrier if you are also going to be the driver. You must be 21 years old to engage in interstate commerce, even non-cdl and even as an owner operator. I hate to burst your bubble as I too was an 18 year old with a dream at one time. I ended up working full time as a diesel mechanic and school bus driver while also buying a tow truck and doing local work until 21 when I was able to legally operate interstate.

Remember, even if you do not leave the state, if the freight comes from or is going to another state or country, as Amazon's does, you must be a fully qualified interstate driver even to handle the in-state part of the shipment. FMCSA regulates the INTENT of the shipment, not just the fact that it goes across state lines. This makes railyard freight, port freight, Amazon, UPS, and most other freight off limits to anyone under 21 years old.

If you want to do local non-cdl box truck work find an appliance delivery company that takes owner operators or something like that where you do not need a interstate operating authority. Otherwise, even if you get insurance and manage to get signed on somewhere when they come to do your new entrant audit and discover you as the driver are not at least 21 you will be shut down and facing severe fines and penalties.

 

You could try dump truck if you want to stay local. I would definitely get Class A when you get your CDL, even if a triaxle doesn’t require it. And as far as job security, there will always be infrastructure happening, so you really don’t have to worry about being out of work. At least not in Indiana! Personally, I think about any truck will get you further in life than a box truck. Best wishes on your decision!

 

Try this company:
Shipt Same-Day Delivery | Unlimited, same-day delivery

 

Here is the thing, while most are negative because we all see failures and don't want others to be a failure, you have taken a path that has super high competition, very low rates, and is easy to get involved with. I have seen people buy a former Uhaul box truck for $700 and make a go at it, charging $1.50 a mile and making money. they don't give a crap what they haul and don't give a crap where they go, so one day it would be manure in the box, the next was new furniture from Ikea and another day it would be used auto parts.

While your question is a good one it begs another, if you have a background in trucking, and enough connections to start, why are you asking us?

 

The source for my comment is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. First look at Part 390, which are the heart of the regulations. 390.3 says these regulations are applicable to all that engage in interstate commerce. The look at 390.5, definitions to see what interstate commerce is, paying close attention to paragraph 2 about within one state then lastly look at 391.11 (b) (1) where it says to be an interstate driver you must be 21 years old.

So, if you stay only in your state and do not haul any freight that could be interstate commerce, as I said in my comment yesterday, then yes at 19 you could operate a box truck, or even a dump truck or tractor trailer legally. But, given the broad definition of interstate commerce you will have a hard time finding freight legally that is truly intrastate and not just misrepresented interstate freight. Agricultural commodities and aggregates are your best bet, but even there be careful because some of those are also regulated and could be interstate. Example, delivering stone or asphalt to an interstate highway or airport is interstate commerce but to a homeowner or a apartment complex is not. It gets very complicated which is why I have built a nice business over the years consulting on this very subject.

Here is the link to the regulations for your reference and I have copied and pasted the relevant sections for your review.

§ 390.3 General applicability.
(a) The rules in subchapter B of this chapter are applicable to all employers, employees, and commercial motor vehicles that transport property or passengers in interstate commerce.

390.5 Definitions
Interstate commerce means trade, traffic, or transportation in the United States—

(1) Between a place in a State and a place outside of such State (including a place outside of the United States);

(2) Between two places in a State through another State or a place outside of the United States; or

(3) Between two places in a State as part of trade, traffic, or transportation originating or terminating outside the State or the United States.

§ 391.11 General qualifications of drivers.
(a) A person shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless he/she is qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle. Except as provided in § 391.63, a motor carrier shall not require or permit a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless that person is qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.

(b) Except as provided in subpart G of this part, a person is qualified to drive a motor vehicle if he/she—

(1) Is at least 21 years old;

(2) Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records;

(3) Can, by reason of experience, training, or both, safely operate the type of commercial motor vehicle he/she drives;

(4) Is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with subpart E—Physical Qualifications and Examinations of this part;

(5) Has a currently valid commercial motor vehicle operator's license issued only by one State or jurisdiction;

(6) Is not disqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle under the rules in § 391.15; and

(7) Has successfully completed a driver's road test and has been issued a certificate of driver's road test in accordance with § 391.31, or has presented an operator's license or a certificate of road test which the motor carrier that employs him/her has accepted as equivalent to a road test in accordance with § 391.33.

 

Great answers here IMO. A lift gate would be a must in you scenario.

Good luck if you do it. Sincerely. It is kinda brutal in several ways.