My authority or his ????

[oldmanrandy]

If I have my own authority, but wish to pull for someone else part time,
do I cover up my DOT # and display his or just run under mine.
If running under mine does that mean he has to have broker authority or
does his carrier authority work.
New at this and just trying to lineup additional lines of income from the start.
Once I get on the run and get a trailer then I know from there.
Having just the power unit is what makes it confusing, is it my freight
or is it his.
Also when hauling anothers reefer with there freight, which insurances
are his and which are mine.
Thanks

[GMAN]

You need to either run under your authority or your friend's. You really don't want to be going back and forth. If you have his signs on your truck, the registration and permits need to also be in his name. If you run under your authority, then the base plates and permits need to be in your name. You can just trip lease or broker loads from him. Technically, if you broker loads you need to have broker authority. Unless you haul a lot of loads through your friend, you can probably take some of his loads and not have a problem. Some carriers may broker some of their excess capacity. Having broker authority means there is a bond where the carrier has some recourse, should the broker fail to pay. If the load is on your truck your insurance will be the one who pays should there be a cargo claim. If he is brokering freight, he should have authority.

[oldmanrandy]

Thanks Gman,
I would prefer to just run my own and keep my independence but he seems to be shakey about it.
But to be clear, you think that if he subs it out to me then he should have
a brokers authority.
Thanks again

[GMAN]

Perhaps you could explain in more detail. I am not sure why he is shaky or what your relationship is with him. If you are using your truck and running your authority, I would not want to run under someone else authority part time. From a legal standpoint, I am not sure you could actually do it anyway. The DOT doesn't like to see two sets of numbers on the truck. You could probably just trip lease from him and carry a load now and then. If I understand your post, you want to run your authority, but don't have your own trailer. You will need to haul loads for this guy so that you can use his trailers? Unless you have your own trailer, you may find it difficult to find loads as easily as if you owned your own. Having said that, there are some opportunities to supply power only. I have spoken to those who only have power and they tell me that they do pretty well, but they also lease to a power only carrier. If you can't afford to get your own trailer, I suggest waiting until you can either purchase or rent a trailer.

[oldmanrandy]

Understand.
It does seem overly complicated running one under another.
Just wanted to see if it was legal, otherwise he would have to trust me to his customer and hope I gave him his cut and didn't walk with his customer. I just met him so that ain't happenin.
Guess I will just have to pick up a van.
Thanks again Gman

[GMAN]

You are welcome. I find that things usually work better when you keep them simple. You are much better off having your own trailer if you run your authority. There are a few brokers, such as C.H. Robinson, who sometimes have loads for dedicated shippers who may need power only, but you will certainly have more versatility with your own trailer.