Can I get my own authority and haul freight without experience?

bzinger · Jun 29, 2016

jyoungrrt12 said: ↑

Hahaha! That's what I've been reading! I've heard the the insurance can be between $10,000 and $20,000 per year, your first 2 years of driving with your own authority.
Click to expand...

Wasn't trying to be discouraging but I couldn't resist the humor .

jyoungrrt12 · Jun 29, 2016

MrEd said: ↑

Because up to 70 hrs a week of work while living in a little box in a stinky truckstop 300+ nights a year for the industry average of around 46000 is a great paying stress free career. Add in the lousy food, sedentary lifestyle and a heart attack at 56....sounds great. If I had better options in South Dakota, I certainly wouldn't be doing this. Around there, many careers requiring a master's degree only pay in the high 30's to low 40's.
Click to expand...

Not that there's anything wrong with being a company driver, but I am in a position to pay cash for my own truck and trailer, and drive on my own authority. If driving 340 days a year and making 40 cents/mile was the only option, I would never even consider it!

jyoungrrt12 · Jun 29, 2016

Old Man said: ↑

You don't have too many options, even if you own a truck no one will lease you on with zero experience, go on your own with no truck payments you will probably have a insurance payment around 3k a month.
With no experience or training you will probably run your CSA score up and your done.
You won't like this but you need to start at the bottom, pay your dues and work your way up.
6 months of learning would save a lot of heartache.
Click to expand...

Great advice! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Before I buy anything, I will build time with a company that will help me build experience and get a firm understanding of the trucking industry. Thanks again!

jyoungrrt12 · Jun 29, 2016

SLCTrucker said: ↑

Ok its great you want to start on your own but here's my advice.

**Get your CDL

**Work for a company for at least a year, take the backing from a company, TBH in the first year you could screw up & lose everything being a O/Op.

**If you can finance a truck yourself at this point venture out on your own, maybe lease onto a O/Op carrier for a year.

**Then when your confident you can succeed then go out on your own.
Click to expand...

Great advice! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Before I buy anything, I will build time with a company that will help me build experience and get a firm understanding of the trucking industry. Thanks again!

jyoungrrt12 · Jun 29, 2016

MrEd said: ↑

I'd say you are putting the cart before the horse. And you gotta crawl before you can walk or run. I'd advise running as a company driver for awhile. There is a LOT about this industry you just can't learn till you are in it. You may decide it simply isn't for you. A huge percentage of new entrants do decide that and are gone permanently from the industry in less than a year. After you get that lined out, then buy a truck and lease it on with a good carrier. Learn the ropes from that angle, letting someone else deal with most regulatory and compliance issues. And finding your loads. Then later, when that learning curve is over go on your own with your own authority. Slow and steady often wins the race. Get a good stable foundation of knowledge under you before moving on to more expensive and complicated phases of your career. Just my thoughts for what they are worth.
Click to expand...

Great advice! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Before I buy anything, I will build time with a company that will help me build experience and get a firm understanding of the trucking industry. Thanks again!

bzinger · Jun 29, 2016

jyoungrrt12 said: ↑

Great advice! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Before I buy anything, I will build time with a company that will help me build experience and get a firm understanding of the trucking industry. Thanks again!
Click to expand...

Well if your that hell bent on this lol...and for record I still recommend against it I've been in the biz 31 years now and have been anywhere from rolling in money to flat broke ..feel free to PM me and I'll answer what I can .

str8t10 · Jun 29, 2016

Listen to these guys Op. I've owned 2 different businesses, both successful. The company I'm at now, I approached my boss and asked him how to be an O/O and permits and paperwork. I've been with them for just about 18 months and I want to go another 18 months before I start searching for a truck and actually pull the trigger. He says I'm ready now. I agree with him that I would be successful. I already talk to the brokers and customers and line up my own loads for most of the week, but I know I have much more to learn. I don't want to be losing money or breaking even I want to be making money.

Moose1958 · Jun 30, 2016

Lots of good information posted on these comments. There is MUCH MUCH MUCH more to staying legal as an OO with Own Authority. If you still plan to do it download and get to know a lot of the information on the PDF I am linking to. Trust me you don't want to do anything in ignorance.

https://cms.fmcsa.dot.gov/safety/carrier-safety/motor-carriers-guide-improving-highway-safety

jyoungrrt12 · Jun 30, 2016

bzinger said: ↑

Well if your that hell bent on this lol...and for record I still recommend against it I've been in the biz 31 years now and have been anywhere from rolling in money to flat broke ..feel free to PM me and I'll answer what I can .
Click to expand...

Thanks bzinger. I have great respect for anyone who has put 31 years into their career! You are a wealth of knowledge and experience. My current occupation isn't all that different from trucking. As I said before, I fly medical flights (air ambulance). We deal with brokers, dispatchers, doctors, and case managers to get (people) moved from one hospital to another. Its all about logistics, much like trucking. I fly extremely long days (Example: Hong Kong, China to Houston, Texas),with terrible weather and crazy hours. I love what I do, but after 17 years of holding other peoples lives in my hands...literally, I am interested in trying my hand at something new. I don't want to go back to the hospital, where I would be trapped within 4 walls, clocking in and out like a drone (I mean normal person). I travel for a living, and shutter at the thought of being trapped in a building all day. Earlier in this post, someone said that only time will tell if I have truck driving in my blood. I think the fact that I am used to being away from home for several weeks at a time, spending 8-16 hours a day in a small private jet, and love the freedom that comes with traveling to all kinds of crazy places both good and bad is a decent start. I will definitely be seeking your advice in the future. Safe travels my friend.

HotH2o · Jun 30, 2016

MrEd said: ↑

I'm not trying to be rude, and I certainly wish you the best of luck.....but if you think trucking will be either easier or less stressful, I'd advise you keep looking. There is a reason this industry has such a big turnover.
Click to expand...

I attribute high turnover to America being full of female private parts. Everyone wants to make money but nobody wants to work. I think the OP has a good head on his shoulders. I'm rooting for him!

Log in or Sign up

Forums

Find Trucking Jobs

Can I get my own authority and haul freight without experience?

bzinger Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

bzinger Road Train Member

str8t10 Medium Load Member

Moose1958 Road Train Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

HotH2o Road Train Member

Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

Wait, employers can't reach you!

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Find Trucking Jobs

Can I get my own authority and haul freight without experience?

bzinger Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

bzinger Road Train Member

str8t10 Medium Load Member

Moose1958 Road Train Member

jyoungrrt12 Bobtail Member

HotH2o Road Train Member

Wait, employers can't reach you!