Where do I start (again)?

Last winter I filed for and recieved my USDOT # and MC #'s thinking that I was going to get out and do some OTR stuff. Long story short I decided to put it all on hold and stick with my daycab and end dump business for one more year to see if it got any better. Lo and behold this year has been another disapointment, haven't stayed near as busy as I had hoped to again. I've got the funds saved up to buy a clean older OTR truck and dry van and have been looking into doing so. After spending some time looking around I've decided I don't want to lease on to a company for many reasons and I'm ready to run under my own authority.

Several months back I was called to get set up with a safety audit but notified DOT that I had changed my plans a bit and wasn't going to run OTR anymore at that time. I beleive they said that was fine and that they would put my numbers on hold or something to that effect.

Sooooooo long story short, being where I am how do I go about getting the wheels on all of this turning again? Should I acquire a truck & trailer first and foremost and then get on with everything else or ??? I had things all figured out in a linear process last year but having walked away from it for a year I'm kinda lost on where to start again.

What I already have : CA# for running CA intrastate
MC#
USDOT#
Fed Emp ID #
BOC-3 filed
IRP was paid

Now what?

Thanks in advance.

 

CARB is kiiiiinda set. They're waivering about the deadlines some and with the economy being what it is I don't know that the state can make it happen. Last week I had my CA BIT inspection and the CHP inspector said straight up that CHP was goign to do everything it could to not enforce the new rules. We'll see what comes of that though.

That being said, if they pull the trigger on it all I'm leaving the state, plain and simple. I can't afford a '10+ truck and more importantly I don't WANT a '10+ truck. My end dump rig is an '83 Pete 359 with a 3406B and I'd like to get into a truck with a 3046E or N14, maaaaybe a 12.7 if it's the right truck.

 

Are the rates THAT bad in van right now?? I am not opposed to flats which I've done some limited work with here for the construction companies I work for, and I know the rates for flats are generally better than vans on the whole, but it's mostly been hauling big concrete blocks and various lumber and pipe. I've got to admit, having never been taught the "truckers ways" of securement and tarping just makes me a little nervous about flats though.

 

A) I haven't driven OTR for just over 2 yrs now.
B) I don't want someone telling me when/where to run (which I understand LS and SNI Choice give you options there, but I don't know that I would qualify for them at this point. I've also heard SNI Choice isn't available to those based in CA for whatever reason)

 

I wasn't bragging about hauling these items, quite the contrary as a matter of fact...

I didn't realize LS had a deal like that, I will definitely look into that. Thanks a ton for all the pointers you've provided me with tonight DD, much appreciated.