So, what exactly is owner – operator?
Owner – Operators are those truckers who own as well as operate their own trucking business. Sometimes they lease on to a carrier. But, if they want they can operate under their own authority.
If they decide they want to operate under their own authority they will have to be registered as a carrier. So, what they will need to do is to get an identification number from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Motor Carrier (MC).
Usually, after a long trucking experience, truckers want something more from their job. So, it is then when they decide to become owner – operator. There are few things that are crucial for you to do or take into consideration before starting this:
- Any owner-operator is free to haul freelance (which means with no permanent contract, to deliver goods to companies)
- Any owner – operator is free to enter into a lease agreement with a company so they can dedicate their equipment to one customer or product.
- Make sure you are aware that an owner-operator usually has to pay higher rates on trucking insurance. This is due to the fact that, they are smaller size than most larger companies, meaning they have to charge more to balance the cost
- Another crucial thing to consider before becoming an owner-operator is the business set up, accounting, type of vehicle and truck drivers licences needed
