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Starting a NEW Trucking Business...
(the "HOOP's" you MUST jump through!)
BEFORE you can FLY FREE!
    1. Write a BUSINESS plan including what type of trucking company you are starting. The most common is a company that offers hauling or moving items for other companies.
    2. Figure out where the start up money is going to come from. Do you have savings? Do you need a loan? This is the single most important step in starting a new business. You must also plan for operating expenses for the first six months or so.
    3. Get all the appropriate LICENSES and permits.

These include;

1. FEIN - Federal Employer ID number,

2. USDOT - United States Department of Transportation number,

3. UCR - Unified Carrier Registration,

4. IFTA - Illinois Fuel Tax Reporting,

as well as,..

Insurance for the appropriate to type of trucking vehicle and loads you will haul with your business.

If you are going to maintain an OFFICE, then you should also...

  1. Set-up and "outfit" your office space with required components (Desks, Phones, Computers, etc.),
  2. Create/Establish your "Policies & Procedures", and Maintenence Monitoring/Scheduling necessities. 
  3. Create/Build relationships and start networking for clients. This should include cold calling, attending conferences and creating a great marketing plan.
  4. Hire extremely qualified truck drivers. You may want to consider hiring owner-operators as this will cut down on your cost by not having to buy a fleet. Do extensive background checks on your drivers before hiring them. There will be nothing more detrimental to a new trucking business than a bad accident or any kind of incident with an unprofessional driver.

Connections & web-sites; for required Federal and State Registration/Licensing/Bonding/Tax Requirements, etc.

http://business.illinois.gov/step_by_step_guides.cfm 

www.IllinoisLicenseServices.com

http://business.illinois.gov   &   http://www.sos.state.il.us 　

What Are the Steps In The FMCSA Registration Process?

　

Step Description

1. Determine FMCSA registration needs/requirements (i.e., USDOT Number and Operating Authority)

2. Determine which forms must be filed

3. Complete and submit application form(s) to FMCSA

4. Complete State notifications/registration requirements

5. Begin New Entrant Safety Assurance Program

6. Obtain permanent USDOT registration

7. Maintain USDOT Number and Operating Authority information

State Notifications

In addition to the Federal registration requirements, companies are also responsible for understanding and complying with applicable State rules and regulations impacting registration and licensing. In general, companies are subject to relevant State regulations for each State in which they conduct business operations (includes transporting operations passing through a state) or where they have established a company office.
U.S. Department Of Transportation. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
USDOT - Federal Motor Carrier Registration and Authority site...
USDOT Number Registration:
Use LINK below:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/online-registration/onlineregdescription.htm

Starting a Trucking Company...

"BASICs of How to Run a Trucking Business"

by: D. W. McAllister Jr. 2005

　

For many truck drivers now may be the prime opportunity to start a trucking company as an owner-operator. The demand for trucking is currently on the rise. In fact the US Department of Labor predicts that employment for truck drivers will increase 21% between 2010 and 2020. Running a trucking company as an owner-operator can be both rewarding and challenging. Before making this decision, it is important to consider all the factors involved in starting your own trucking company.

Establishing a trucking company as an owner-operator comes with the responsibilities of being both a driver and a small business owner. Getting started requires start-up capital because owner-operator must meet various federal regulations. These requirements have associated costs ranging from simple registration fees to the cost of procuring and insuring a truck. As a driver, federal regulations require you have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and endorsements that cover the types of freight you plan to transport. Drivers must also have an insured truck that is suitable for the proposed cargo and routes. There are also federal regulations that the business as a whole must comply with. Trucking businesses must be registered and bonded in order to legally provide interstate transportation services. In addition to meeting commercial transportation requirements, owner-operators must establish the trucking company as a business entity for tax purposes. After deciding whether you will register as a sole proprietor, LLC or corporation, you must obtain the business licenses and permits required by your state. Registering properly varies by state, but generally requires filing paperwork and paying fees. Once your business entity is established, the next step is setting up an accounting and invoice system for the company. These databases will help you keep on top of outstanding payments and will be very helpful for tax season.

Starting your own trucking company gives you more freedom and increased earning potential. Department of Labor statistics indicate that the average yearly salary of an employed trucker is between  $37,000 and $67,000. According to surveys from the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), the average owner-operator, however, earned a median gross income of $160,000 in 2013.

Choosing your own freight and routes gives you the opportunity to increase earnings by selecting cost-effective routes, specializing in pricier freight, and dealing with clients you choose.

It is very important to remember that while owner-operators earn more, and receive higher reimbursement per mile" ($1.40 to $2.10 per mile), they are responsible for taxes and other operating expenses such as fuel, office-related fees and truck maintenance.

   *** THESE HIGHER PAYING LOADS OFTEN require Additional or Specialty PERMITS, ADDITIONAL ATTENTION or HANDLING, SPECIALTY PRECAUTIONS or INVOLVEMENT.  When required by the Owner-operators to OBTAIN their own Load Permits, or Route Approval, this additional WAIT TIME - for APPROVAL may complicate the entire JOB!

One way to find jobs is through a reputable job board or bidding site. In addition to posted opportunities, networking with other owner-operators and previous clients is a great way to find leads. As your company proves itself through successfully completed jobs, your company’s name recognition will grow and business opportunities will increase. Additionally, owner-operators are responsible for ensuring that they receive payment for completed work. This means that being an owner-operator requires time devoted to customer service even after completing a successful delivery.

Despite these challenges, another benefits to being an owner-operator is the freedom of a flexible schedule. According to surveys from the OOIDA, an owner-operator drives just over 100,000 miles per year. As an owner-operator, you set your own schedule and have the option of working only the jobs you want.

Running your own trucking company allows you to work the hours that are the best fit for your lifestyle and needs.

Before you take the plunge talk to established owner-operators. They are a great additional resource for advice on the everyday ups and downs of having your own trucking company. Their experienced perspective will give you a realistic picture of the life an owner-operator has and what you can expect during the start-up process. They can also share tricks of the trade and dangerous industry pitfalls.

　

　

Here are a few links with additional information on how to start an owner/operator trucking company:

　

    • Succeeding as an Owner-Operator (PDF): published by the Used Truck Association,... a brief overview on how to build a successful trucking company.
    • OSHA Trucking Industry Index: detailed resource on federal trucking safety standards AND... links to federal training requirements, state-specific websites, etc
    • Occupational Outlook Handbook: trucking industry employment facts and statistics from the US Department of Labor.
    • DOT Interstate Motor Operations Booklet: guidebook identifies... rules and requirements of interstate trucking and provides contact information for applicable state and federal entities.
    • IRS Trucking Industry Overview: detailed overview of tax and accounting specifics... used in running your trucking company.
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Being an Owner-Operator (PDF): uses numerous interviews with truckers ... opinions by/from independent trucking "pro's/con's" and being an owner-operator.

or 'TYPE" the following in your Browser Search Window;　

http://www.uta.org/downloads/docs/WhitePaper_-_succeeding_as_OO.pdf

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/trucking_industry/index.html

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Transportation-and-Material-Moving/Heavy-and-tractor-trailer-truck-drivers.htm#tab-1

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/licensing/overview.html

http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Trucking-Industry-Overview---Complete-Version

http://www.uark.edu/rd_engr/MBTC/MBTC_DOT_3026.pdf
Mr. Doug McAllister aka: CDLTeacher.com
OUR Consultation or advice is "FREE" and available for any of the areas previously mentioned, to give you or help clarify what is needed to gain state KNOWLEDGE, to achieve HIGHER Performance, to go from "Wanting" to "Doing!"

We've TRAINED in proper operation of MANY
technical fields as-well!
MUNICIPAL Entities, to"Corporate Groups",... to the "Individual", have ALL been trained! 

Emergency Equipment, Municiple Vehicles, Specialty Equipment;


CDLTeacher.com offers "FREE" Vehicle Inspection and Operation instruction on most brands of equipment on our roads, and in use today by our local & federal entities... Specifically; (Fire/RESCUE Apparatus ~ see Mfgr-LINK's  here) such as; E-ONE, Classic FIRE, SAULSBURY, ROSENBAUER, or LIFELINE to name a few....

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