Ok what do I need to become a O/O?
 

I'm looking into getting my own truck and trailer, I figure I'll do company for a while longer and learn as much as I can but, where should I start and what is all involved, I want to run my own authority and pull reefer.

Re: Ok what do I need to become a O/O?
 

Go back a few months and read posts/comments on this forum. You'll find a ton of interesting and relevant information.

Re: Ok what do I need to become a O/O?
 

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Running your authority is expensive starting out. You will need money to run your business for at least 90 days, minimum. Your primary expense will be for fuel and taking care of your monthly living expenses. I would count on burning about 120 gallons of fuel per day plus what you use in the reefer. Of course, you will probably not be running your reefer all the time. Some loads will not require a reefer.

Getting your authority is the easy part. Making it work is the real challenge. You can get your authority for $300 if you do it yourself. You can now do everything on line through the Federal website. Insurance will be your biggest expense in getting your authority. You need to check around with insurance companies to get rates. It is much easier and less expensive if you have at least 2 years of otr experience in the type of equipment you will be running under your authority. I would expect rates of $6-12,000 proving you have a decent mvr, good credit and run in a fairly average area. Insurance rates will vary according to where you run and base your truck. You can get a bump in rates simply for living in a higher risk area.

In order to get your authority you will need to pay the $300 filing fee, have registered agents in every state in which you plan on operating and insurance. You will need a minimum of $1,000,000 in liability and $100,000 in cargo to do business with most shippers and brokers. You don't need this much insurance to get your authority, but most will require it before they will do business with you. This is pretty much average. Not all insurance companies will insure reefers. I would prepare for a surcharge that might be a bit stiff starting out. If you are a member of OOIDA, they will act as your registered agent at no charge.

There are a couple of other expenses you will incur starting out. You will need to have a base plate and pay a 2290. The 2290 is a heavy highway use tax imposed by the Federal government. It will need to be paid before you can get your base plates. Depending on where you live you can pay anywhere from $1,100 to over $2,500. A friend of mine just got a bill for over $2,300 in Virginia. I pay over $1,600 in Tennessee. Rates vary from one state to another.

If you plan on running in New Mexico you will need a $2 annual permit. Kentucky requires a KYU number but doesn't charge a fee. New York has a permit but I don't recall how much it costs. I think it is $68 every 2 years. If you want to do intrastate loads there are about 11 states you will need to get your intrastate authority. Texas and California are the two most expensive. I believe there are about 11 states which require intrastate authority if you pick up and deliver the same load in their state.

If you plan on running in Oregon you can either put up cash, a bond or buy a permit each time you enter the state. The cost is based upon the miles you run and your weight classification. If you don't run on a consistent basis I suggest you just buy a permit each time. Each permit is good for 10 days and there is an additional fee of $9 for using a credit card.

You will need to register with IFTA. There isn't a charge, but they will issue you a number and stickers for each truck.

One other charge is for UCR registration. This has taken the place of the Single State Registration in most states, although not all states participate. It is based upon the number of trucks and trailers you run. I believe the minimum is $39 for 1-3 pieces of equipment.

You will need to file fuel reports each quarter with IFTA, New Mexico and Kentucky. If you post a bond or put up a cash bond in Oregon, you will also need to file a quarterly report with them.

I think those are the highlights. I may have over looked something, but this will get you started. There are other expenses, such as load boards, maintenance, equipment payments (unless you pay cash), etc., in addition to your living expenses and regular monthly expenses which should be factored into the amount of money you will require until the cash starts coming in. If you are short of cash you may want to get set up with a good factor. They can be expensive, but it will keep your cash flow going until you have enough to run your business on your own. From the time you get your authority you need to allow for at least 90-120 days until your money starts to flow. It will likely come in sooner, but a little cushion won't hurt. I always like to plan for the worst case scenario in business.

GMAN - you are always so pleasant and helpful. You actually just gave me some food for thought, too! You are a sweetie.

I appreciate it, BlooMoose :oops:

I really hope your a girl

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Yep, she's a girl. :wink:

Ok looks like you better have your ducks in a row for this but is it the same thing if I get my own truck and lease on with a company? Can I still make decent money that way? I was thinking( and tell me what you think) that me and a buddy go in on it and we spilt everything and he run 2 to 3 weeks and then I run 2 to 3 weeks and just keep the truck rolling at all times ( except maybe a day or 2 in those weeks to go over the truck and oil changes etc....)

Thanks GMAN alot of info, what I was looking for.

I think the material items(truck, trailer) aren't as important as a good attitude, persistence, and a good business plan.

I can be successful with a piece of junk truck, but I cannot with a garbage attitude.

A good attitude will do more for you success than any other single factor.

I have a good attitude and I just take the good with the bad and keep rolling but I then again I dont take any crap from someone trying to push towards me if that makes sense.I can take some abuse but when enough is enough I stop it.

I don't have any experience in this area, but I do have a comment :roll:

It's tough to make a partnership work (been there, done that), but in this scenario, the guy at home could look for loads while the other guy is driving...would be a HUGE benefit, I think...but as to whether or not it would work. I would still have to give it 30% chance at best simply because of the partnership part.

Ya I see what you are saying on the buddy deal, I guess anything is worth a try, I grew up with him and we are on the same page about things and figured the same thing about while hes out I'll handle loads etc.... and the same when hes home, I get some driving in and good home time and same for him and the truck rolls all the time, I'm thinking as long as the partnership deal works we would be good.

It will be difficult for two people to make a decent living from one truck. Even if everything works as you hope, the numbers will be difficult to live with unless you buy more trucks. And that comes with a whole new set of problems. I have been in a couple of partnerships. Neither worked out as I had hoped. If you get the right mix of personalities it might work, but as I previously noted, I am not sure there would be enough money for both of you to earn a decent living. Some have made it work in a team environment. I am not sure how that would apply in your situation. I think the most either of you will get out of the venture is a paycheck, at most.

I hadn't considered the 50% part of that, but Gman is correct in that regard. Something that I've always though would be an option, but not as partners, would be to have 2 trucks / 3 drivers. But, I had only considered this with me being the sole owner and making the decisions myself.

Anyway you look at it, the water gets muddy in a hurry.

Can you team with your friend and have someone at home search for loads? With the SNI IC program you can preplan and grab loads off their board in advance. Maybe lease on with somebody like them first since that's the best way to get to know the in's and out's.

Well my wife is joining the Army,ya my wife, and she will have all the bennies for the family and should cover all the personal bills so I'm good there, but I'm not much of a team person with anybody thats why I figured on the I run he runs etc.... but I guess I'm missing something on the money issue with 2 people and 1 truck that is running all the time.Does anybody know if I buy my own truck how it would work on leasing on with a company?

Most carriers will require from 6 months to 2 years experience in order to lease on with them. You will need to have a fairly clean MVR and pass a dot physical. You will go through a pre-screen and be invited to orientation. The larger carriers will usually keep you about 3-4 days. The first day you will take a drug test that will be sent to a lab for testing. Some may do it locally, but most will send it off. That is the main reason for orientation taking up to about 4 days. While you are in orientation they will begin your background check. A DAC will be ordered and they will either have someone on their payroll inspect your truck or have you go to a facility to have it inspected. If there are any problems with your equipment they will need to be repaired before you will be approved. During orientation you will be introduced to the company and perhaps some of the personnel with whom you may be working. Carriers have different things they cover, but most will cover the basics of how they want their paperwork done and logs. Much of what they cover is a way to kill time until your drug screen comes back. If your background check is OK and your drug test is negative you will be offered a lease or contract to sign. This will be the last day of orientation. You will not be offered a lease until they have the results of your drug test and background back. If there are issues about your background they will need to be clarified before you will be offered a contract. Once you have your lease in hand, you will likely be introduced to your dispatcher, either by phone or in person, and they will find you a load. If you don't have a trailer, there may be someone whom you will deal with first to get a trailer. While your dispatcher is finding you a load you will be given decals with all the company information and IFTA stickers to put on your truck. Some companies may do this for you. Most will probably have you do it yourself.

You can usually get your own base plates, but some carriers require you to use theirs. In any case, you will need to have your title or bill of sale in hand and a copy for them. You will be required to pay for your own workers comp or accident policy with most carriers. You will also likely be required to have either bobtail or unladen liability insurance. Some carriers will have that available for you through a company with whom they do business. I would have my own coverage. OOIDA offers both unladen liability and bobtail insurance as well as an accident policy. I prefer having my own insurance. If you decide to leave the company your insurance will usually no longer be valid.

A few other things. Once you have your lease and are ready to get your first dispatch, the carrier will probably offer you their fuel card to use. You are usually free to have your own, but most will encourage you to use theirs. It makes it easier for them to do your fuel taxes and some make a little off of your purchases. The larger carriers usually have some discounts on your fuel purchases when made at certain fuel stops.

Some carriers may handle some of this a little differently, but that is about all there is to it.