3 Things To Think About If You Want To Be An Owner-Operator
Posted on: 11 January 2016
This country runs on semi-trucks. Without trucks, nothing makes it into the stores. That means that there is always a need for drivers to get cargo from point A to point B. That means that if you want to drive a semi-truck, you will have a good chance of being able to work whenever you want. One choice that you have is to become an owner-operator. That means that you will own your truck and be the one who drives it. If you do want to be an owner-operator, there are some things that you should keep in mind.
You Make the Schedule
It's your truck, you're the one in charge of where and when it goes. The broker or company hiring you to haul their cargo needs you so that they can meet their contract. That gives you the control to choose jobs that fit into a schedule that you want to work. That can give you a lot of freedom.
Know Your Rig
Since you own the truck, maintenance is all on you. You may not choose to physically do much of the maintenance, but you should know how to do basics so that you can work on your rig in an emergency. Plus, the more you know about how your truck works, the better off you are. You will understand what the mechanic says and make sure that everything is fixed correctly.
Find a Good Broker
Or two or three good brokers. You want to find people that you can work with who will help you get a good mileage rate and get you the good jobs. It may take some time for you to find people you like to work with, but it will be worth it. When you are first starting out, you may want to look for brokers or agents who are also starting out. As you build your reputation and they build yours, they will be able to get you better jobs. They are also more likely to work hard to get good contracts because they are trying to establish themselves.
Semi-trucks are a necessary part of the country's transportation system. Without owner-operators and other truck drivers, it would be nearly impossible to get all the cargo from one place to another. Trucks can go places where there are no train tracks, boat docks, or airports, so everyone can get their food, their packages, or whatever they need.
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