Question about Hiring First Owner Operator

Typically, leased O/O's will provide bobtail liability and physical damage coverage and the carrier will provide auto liability and cargo (but things can always be varied by agreement).

 

There is no such thing as a simple lease agreement. There are a few on the web that you can make your own, but EVERYTHING has to be spelled out in the lease in regards to pay, insurance, deductions, etc. requiring OCC/ACC Workers Comp is a good idea as well.
Of course you need to add him to your drug testing consortium as well as create and maintain a driver file and equipment maintenance reports. You treat the o/o and his equipment the same way you treat a company driver and your equipment as far as compliance goes.
Good luck

 

The O/O pays for his own workers comp

 

To help protect your points, you may want to schedule a vehicle inspection every 3 months or so at your cost. It could be a lot cheaper than having him getting shut down every time you turn around.
There is also a cheaper way for the owner op to go as far as his workers comp if he is the only employee in his company. I forget what it's called right now off the the top of my head, but you can get it through Old Republic Life insurance. You can call 1-800-497-0339 and they should be able to help.

 

Yes you need a driver file which would need the application and the lease. OOIDA could probably give you a checklist to make sure you don't overlook anything. With the exception of the lease, the driver file should be identical to a company driver. You'll need a copy of his Registration and 2290 as well in the equipment file.