Owner-Operator / motor carrier difference?

[Mandilon]

I typed 'motor carrier' in the search engine and got this: No topics or posts met your search criteria

Motor carriers are not discussed in this forum?

This is what made me search:

Brokers can never give loads to owner-operators as owner-operators do not have motor carrier authority. Owner-operators must lease to a motor carrier and never to a broker.

This particular section is for owner-operators. Does this mean all are leased-on to motor carriers?

Are there any 'motor carriers' in this Owner-operator section? If the above describes the different characteristics shouldn't a seperate section exist for motor carriers?

THX

[BigDiesel]

I typed 'motor carrier' in the search engine and got this: No topics or posts met your search criteria

Motor carriers are not discussed in this forum?

This is what made me search:

Brokers can never give loads to owner-operators as owner-operators do not have motor carrier authority. Owner-operators must lease to a motor carrier and never to a broker.

This particular section is for owner-operators. Does this mean all are leased-on to motor carriers?

Are there any 'motor carriers' in this Owner-operator section? If the above describes the different characteristics shouldn't a seperate section exist for motor carriers?

THX

Where on earth did that quote come from ????

As a O/O you are either leased on to a carrier ( Landstar, Schneider, Swift, etc..) and operating under their Authority. Or as I, and most in this section, have their own Authority and we are finding our own freight through established shippers or reputable brokers. Some even have a Broker Authority to broker freight as an additional revenue stream.

[RostyC]

Try typing in "authority." A little broad but it should get ya started.

[Mandilon]

Where on earth did that quote come from ????

.....from a broker course by RexEvilsizor.com

THX BigDiesel & RostyC

[rank]

try searching again this had been discussed a million times. I defined the terms about a week ago.

[person]

I think that O/O means different things to different people. I was filling out govt forms before and I believe they used the term to refer to a carrier that had no employees (as I recollect). I use the word carrier as often as I can to avoid confusion.

[GMAN]

This particular section is for owner-operators. Does this mean all are leased-on to motor carriers?

Are there any 'motor carriers' in this Owner-operator section? If the above describes the different characteristics shouldn't a seperate section exist for motor carriers?

THX

There are some of us on here who operate under our own authority. If you have your own authority, you are a motor carrier. If you own a truck and lease it to a motor carrier, you are an owner operator. There are some who consider themselves an owner operator, even though they run under their own authority. However, they are actually a carrier.

[person]

(a) The department shall establish a classification of motor carrier of property known as owner-operators. http://law.onecle.com/california/vehicle/34624.html This appears to be a third definition
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Example of o/o being used both ways.
http://www.owneroperatordirect.com/?...FRUHWAoduBgABQ

As far as I'm concerned having my own authority, I am an owner/operator. I own my truck and I operate it same as someone who is leased onto a carrier.

Just a bunch of people who wanted to have a classier name. Sort of like the guy who pumps gas is now called a gasoline technician or that trash guy is now a sanitary engineer.

[MADLUX]

Just a bunch of people who wanted to have a classier name. Sort of like the guy who pumps gas is now called a gasoline technician or that trash guy is now a sanitary engineer.

So we can't use Freight Relocation Specialist any more :?:

So we can't use Freight Relocation Specialist any more :?:

Oh man....that's a good one.

Bed Bugger - Interior home placement professional

[GMAN]

I know quite a few single truck carriers who still consider themselves to be owner operators. They are owners of the truck and they do operate it. The odd thing is that every time I get something from the Feds about my authority they always address me as "motor carrier." :? Oh, I get it.....it must be because I have more than one truck. :wink: What about the guy who owns a single truck and doesn't drive it. He has a driver in it? Would you consider him to be a carrier or owner operator? Maybe he is actually a owner non-operator.

[Mandilon]

I know quite a few single truck carriers who still consider themselves to be owner operators. They are owners of the truck and they do operate it. The odd thing is that every time I get something from the Feds about my authority they always address me as "motor carrier." Oh, I get it.....it must be because I have more than one truck. What about the guy who owns a single truck and doesn't drive it. He has a driver in it? Would you consider him to be a carrier or owner operator? Maybe he is actually a owner non-operator.

Since 'leased-on' owner-oprators are actually employees (without the benefits of WC and other benefits) of carriers with their own authoritiy, it seems the 'distinction' of motor carrier is more appropriate for truckers with their own authority.

I will stick to 'carriers' for those with authority to clearly define between the 'two worlds.'

What about the guy who owns a single truck and doesn't drive it. He has a driver in it? Would you consider him to be a carrier or owner operator? Maybe he is actually a owner non-operator.

I would address this as an 'absentee owner-operator' if equipment is leased-on and simply a motor carrier if trucking with own authority.

I'd rather B more 'specific,' I'd certainlly want to know who I'm dealing with.

-My 2 cents, THX for your input.

[rank]

....and all these years I thought O/O on the side of the truck meant he was on percentage.

[jonboy]

If you are leased on, you may OWN the truck, but you are OPERATING the truck under that CARRIERS authority, insurance, direction.

Before I got my own authority (interesting word authority), I always thought owner operators were just as the name implied, self employed, and they are, just in more like a franchise form. Just like when a business is franchised, you give up some of your autonomy (authority), for potential increased efficiency and productivity, due to greater purchasing power. Some people like this form of business, and others find it too restrictive. To each his own.


jonboy

[CJSamples]

So we can't use Freight Relocation Specialist any more :?:

I, myself, am a certified freight relocation engineer!!

[Orangetxguy]

Where on earth did that quote come from ????

As a O/O you are either leased on to a carrier ( Landstar, Schneider, Swift, etc..) and operating under their Authority. Or as I, and most in this section, have their own Authority and we are finding our own freight through established shippers or reputable brokers. Some even have a Broker Authority to broker freight as an additional revenue stream.

Big D...I hate to point out the obvious here...but by having your "OWN" authority, as well as your own insurance that meets DOT qualifications, you are a "MOTOR CARRIER". In fact..you yourself could lease in "Owner-Operator's" if you chose to do so.

That DOT number as well as the MC number that accompanies it, are what makes you a Motor Carrier.

[jonboy]

I was talking to some guys at a truckstop tonite, and they asked me if I was an owner operator, and I told them I was a carrier, and they said you're a what?

They were a little loaded so I was messing with them a bit....

I told them I was not an owner operator, but a carrier, just like JB Hunt or Swift or whatever. They told me there was no way I could be that.

It just cracked me up.

They somehow didn't think it was possible for a regular person to be a carrier, certainly not someone as green as I am, and with only one truck and trailer.

It is a bit comical as I think about it.

[Mandilon]

try searching again this had been discussed a million times. I defined the terms about a week ago.

I wish this site's search feature were at least 10% as effective as Google. I have trouble finding most search terms. 'Motor carrier NOT FOUND?' Gimme a break!

Is there a trucker's website that caters to motor carriers/small fleets?

[Rev.Vassago]

try searching again this had been discussed a million times. I defined the terms about a week ago.

I wish this site's search feature were at least 10% as effective as Google. I have trouble finding most search terms. 'Motor carrier NOT FOUND?' Gimme a break!

Is there a trucker's website that caters to motor carriers/small fleets?

I did the exact search you did. I found 236 matches. Perhaps it's the operator, and not the site.




Pssst. There's a little button below the search box, that says search any words, or search all words. :wink: