CDLs do transfer, but you need to give up one to get the other, its against the law to do otherwise (you cant have 2), and now they can check (they(states)are linked up).
You might wanna run a DMV background check on the would be driver to make darn sure of his record, I know hes your cousin but insurance rates what they are, well you get the picture.
As far as insurance rates just check, get the guys DL number and call your agent and just give him a model your thinking about and he will give you a price, insurance costs are so different in every city and area.
Diesel fuel if you drive every day all day approx 200/300 dollars a week not cheap.
What you can charge again could be 50.00 a load to whatever, how far is it going and what are you hauling.
As far as size of truck, the bigger the better (you can charge more).
Now the real problem comes in when you send invoices and set and wait for you GREAT customer to give up the cash, good luck on that one.
Good paying customers are few and far between, and normally people in the business know who they are and are in line for there work, line forms to the left..........and yes that's your cousin at the end of it.
Trucking is like every other business collections,collections,collections.
Now what truck to buy, everyone got a story, might want to ask your cousin which one hes used to driving and stick with it. Since hes going to be in a new city, and then if a new style truck could be trouble, again think ins .
New or used, New always , but they aren't cheap, if used get it checked out by a pro first, could be a costly mistake.
In the end just set back and watch that money trickle in.
GOOD LUCK
For now we will for go the input about, actually starting a company, the IRS, state and local tax's, Health Ins, Being sued personally and other great stuff
Oh its also good to be a diesel mechanic, if nothing else YOU learn how to do a pre trip, If you get pulled and checked, hundreds of dollars in fines and thats not including getting it towed, AAA need not apply.
And yes its normal to pay someone to drive your company truck, but most drive there own.
Then find out if your cousin will still be friends if you fire him, if not dont hire him, which is what your doing, oh and dont forget unemployment insurance, and the dreaded workmans comp, agin think IRS.
Driver and equipment rules have really tightened up recently esp in Fla.
You almost need to have been a driver to actually go into business in trucking, theres alot to it, and Ive just scratched the surface.
If you dont know.how do you check the driver if he knows, and if he dosent you pay big bucks, and a law suit can cost you everything you own and more, trucks are targets for lawyers, esp small companies without the cash to hire big bucks defense lawyers.
Not to scare you off, but you need to know before diving in the deep end.