Question about starting up

Ill make this simple,an't going to work out if your planing do this on weekends,its either take the gamble and go all in or just stay at your current job and forget about this business plan.

 

Get an insurance quote for the truck and trailer you will be using. You will need commercial insurance. Most places you haul for will probably want min 1 million coverage.

The quote I received on a 1 ton dually, with a 3 car wedge. $1200 month. with a 500 mile radius. (that was liability only. with full coverage it was about $1800) Progressive was the only company that would even give me a quote.

I have had my CDL for about 8 years. that was the best quote I could get.

After you get a quote. figure out if you can make enough money just to cover your expenses (ins, fuel, maintenence, tires, etc.) running only weekends.

 

You will need an MC number if you haul ANYTHING for hire .
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/registration-licensing.htm You have to realize all hours worked for your other job also count as on duty toward your 70 hours in 8 days .

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=395.2

 

I don't see how anyone could make it only working part time in this industry, whether regular trucking or hot shot. If it is something you want to pursue, you should start with insurance. For most shippers and/or brokers to load your truck, most will require $1,000,000 in auto liabiity and $100,000 in cargo. You also need to count on getting your CDL. I would go for the class A rather than class B.

There are some carriers with whom you might be able to lease on, such as Bennett or Jones. Both have hot shot divisions. I doubt that most would want to discuss it with you if you only want to work part time. Most hot shot people that I see have at least a 40' trailer. Some have a 53'.

Sometimes you need to just jump in and sink or swim. Some businesses can be started part time and on weekends. I don't see this as one of them. We often pick up loads of Friday that will need to deliver on Monday morning. It is rare to find shippers that will work on weekends. You might be able to pick up and deliver cars to local dealers, but again, much of that business is conducted during the weekdays. This is a very expensive business to enter. Insurance is usually high starting out. Not having a CDL may be a drawback. Insurance companies prefer to insure those with at least a year or two experience. You will need motor carrier authority. In order to get authority you will need insurance.

I believe that there are a couple of websites devoted to hot shots. They could provide more information. I have no idea of their address.