How to Start a Trucking Business

Business Overview:

If you love the freedom of the open road and want to be your own boss, learning how to start a trucking business could be the answer you’ve been looking for. Trucking is a huge industry and there is always room for another fleet on the road. This is why starting a trucking business is a terrific business idea in any economic environment. However, it takes more than a CDL (commercial driver’s license) to be a successful driver and business owner. You also need some experience and, perhaps more importantly, you need to know all the tips and tricks and behind-the-scenes information from seasoned drivers to be successful and happy on the road. Happiness is the ultimate goal and that can be hard, even if you’re making a good living. Learning how to handle the stresses of the road and knowing how to balance demands of work and family can be the difference between just having a successful business and being a happy and successful business owner. But before you start your own trucking business, you do have to have a CDL and some training. This training can be obtained at various trucking schools; costs vary and range between $2,000 USD (if you are being trained by a trucking company to work for them after training) to upwards of $20,000 USD. You should be able to find a quality education, however, for around $3,000 – $5,000 USD. If you already have your CDL and are trained as a professional truck driver, all you need is some experience and you’ll be ready to start a trucking business of your own. Soon you will be able to add drivers and trucks to your fleet. Ultimately, you may even be able to stay home with your family while concentrating on marketing and managing your trucking business.

A Day in the Life of a Trucking Business Owner:

Your day will vary depending on what type of load you’re carrying and how far you’re going. Typically though, you will start your day by checking your load and mapping your route. You will spend your day driving, enjoying the open road and the beautiful countryside. If you’re picking up or delivering a load, you will coordinate with the warehouse (or other type of facility) to arrange pick-up or drop-off times. Being on time is crucial in this business so you will pay close attention to your mileage for the day to ensure you are on schedule to your destination. If you have a fleet of trucks working for you, you will spend your day communicating with your drivers and your pick-up/delivery sites to ensure loads are picked up and delivered on time.

About Your Customers:

Your customers will be companies who need large products (or a large number of smaller products) transported a long distance.

What You Need to Start:

• CDL (commercial driver’s license)
• Training
• Trucking business plan
• Truck
• Fleet (if desired)
• Laptop computer (to use at truck stops with their Wi-Fi service to check for new shipments you’ll need to transport)

The Good:

• Owning a trucking business is a wonderful way to be out of an office and on the road.
• There is a great amount of freedom in the trucking business.
• Your trucking business can be quite lucrative.
• If you own your own fleet, you can have them do the driving and you can manage the business from your home most of the time.

The Bad:

• The hours can be long and the conditions difficult.
• It can be expensive to get your CDL and trucking education.

Resources:

• American Trucking Association
• Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association
• America’s Independent Truckers’ Association
• Bureau of Labor Statistics on Truck Drivers
• Wikipedia on Truck Drivers
• National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools

About The Author

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