Independent

Well, first you would go to school to get your CDL.
Then you would get a job as a trucker for several years to learn the trade.
And by that point your question would be moot, because you would understand.

 

Depends I'm an independent usually you'll pull for a broker or a direct customer. I pull somebody's trailer they diaaptch me and take a percentage of the revenue the truck generates but it seems to work better that way for me personally takes the headache out of finding my own loads as well.

 

Drive with a company for 3-4 years minimum.

 

Hit a sizable lottery first helps. To be a true independent you need ...

- Knowledge of the trucking industry, and your truck, inside and out (Knowing how to back into a dock and manage your log book and time is a tiny fraction of what you need to know)
- Ability to sell yourself and your services
- Knowledge of accounting and [trucking] business practices
- Extreme ability to budget and otherwise "handle" money (once it does finally start coming in consistently)
- Collection skills
- A good credit score and line of credit for emergency
- A minimum of 20% initial ownership of any truck or trailer you begin with (down payment)
- Substantial cash to get you through the first year's bumps and mistakes and shortfalls
- Good personal health and family health. If you're home sick and don't have cash to pay the bills and notes, you will go bankrupt at some point.

 

First thing, join OOIDA. Google it and do it. They are your professional organization.

I have nine years in and have just ordered my first two trucks and trailers. They will not arrive until July. Then I have to add APU's, satellites, laptop's and holder's and hire at least one other driver. I have contracts with brokers but cannot pull for them until my authority is 60 days old. So it is going to be a bit. Also, the yard needs mowed so I seem to be putting off the rush to get moving.

Don't you put it off. I am lazy enough for the both of us. Call OOIDA and join. Learn and act on that knowledge. Remember when you get your second truck to actually treat and pay your driver as you would want them to treat and pay you. I think I read that somewhere.

Good luck to you.

 

I'll be your one other driver. There I took care of one part of it for you lol.