Safety audit O/O

I'm going to have to get used to this username asking these types of questions ha I was befuddled

 

1. Insurance.
First of all, you stated earlier that you have experience from driving in eastern Europe which I am not sure would have and bearing here from the perspective of an insurance underwriter...you don't have to convince me that driving in Eastern Europe is any less challenging or demanding lesser skills than here, as a matter of fact, I believe it is much tougher to be at this profession over there than here but those insurance policies have different perception parameters that they go by. I don't mean to burst your hope bubble or discourage you but once you get your MC, get yourself a set of different quotes, and see if they are not cost-prohibitive and I am afraid they might be.
2. Cost equipment
That's itself one big bubble that's about to burst in the next 12-24 months. I am not sure what the chances are to order a new truck anywhere now but if we talk about second-hand equipment, then you would be now overpaying big time but let's say you have money, and if you are too eager to go for it. Right now someone might sell you a 5-year-old Freightliner with 500 000 miles on it for an absurdly high $130 000 where everything is to be overhauled or overhauled soon. You are talking $30 000-50 000 repairs in the first 12 months of usage, potential long downtime due to part shortage, and high monthly insurance payments which must be paid while you make no money.
3. FMCSA audit is the least to be concerned with.
There are threads here that will give you an insight. Basically, when you get your own authority you are obligated to have the hiring procedure in place, keep the records of mileages and whereabouts for IFTA and IRP, keep logbooks, keep maintenance records and belong to a drug consortium also sign up to the FMCSA drug clearinghouse. The audit is only to make sure that you are set up correctly, started off correctly with all the bureaucracy, not to derail you at the initial phase of your carrier career or fine you to death.
I really would recommend becoming a member of OOIDA and they would file all the things correctly for you and also make you prepared for the safety audit.
I think that the DAT loadboard also provided a similar service. Basically, you pay someone to avoid some procedural filing mishaps.
Good Luck!

 

OOIDA has educational videos. Google it or go on to YouTube and look for them.

You have to look for it but there's a video in there or series of videos that shows you how to set up all of your files. It'll explain to you what has to go into your files to be legal, how to set each file up, and what exactly you need.

If you have everything in place you'll have everything you need for your audit. They may even have a video that explains the audit and what exactly they're looking for.

You do need to carry Insurance in order to get your Authority and you do need a truck.