Starting A Company

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

You’re already “totally lost”? I don’t think you’re going to get much help here, this group encourages drivers to go company. I would expect any response you get will be a variation of the theme: DON’T DO IT, ARE YOU INSANE?

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

First, you need to know how to run a business. Second, if you are not sure where to start and how to go about it, then you are not ready to take on multiple trucks.

Once you immerse yourself in the business aspect of owning and operating a truck, buy a truck and run under your own authority. Do that for quite a while before thinking of owning a fleet.

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

You’re already “totally lost”? I don’t think you’re going to get much help here, this group encourages drivers to go company. I would expect any response you get will be a variation of the theme: DON’T DO IT, ARE YOU INSANE?

Bruce, there are numerous posts on here from Brett and other moderators saying that a driver should have several years of experience before looking at becoming an O/O. Anthony said that he has been driving for a few years. Where I think the "are you crazy?" part will come in is looking at owning multiple trucks right off.

Anthony what is motivating you to do this? And please don't answer "money". Other than driving, what do you know about the business side of trucking?

Considering the current economy and future uncertainty, I wouldn't recommend it. Even so, unless you have figured out how-to be a top performer in this business as a company driver, becoming an O/O will only expose any weakness and drain your financial resources. If you have never run a business; I'd strongly advise NOT to attempt this. Also search on PJ; he is a long-time forum member who is an O/O...hoping he chimes-in; he will tell it like it is...

There are numerous Trucking Truth Blog articles addressing this very subject, I urge you to study all of them. Here is one of the blog articles I mentioned:

Natural Progression of a Truck Driver's Career

The overwhelming majority of experienced in their forum want no parts of O/O or L/O. If the lure of "big money" were actually true, we'd all be running our under our own authority.

The overwhelming majority of experienced in their forum want no parts of O/O or L/O. If the lure of "big money" were actually true, we'd all be running our under our own authority.

That should give any driver thinking of going O/O pause. If the majority of those who have been driving for a substantial amount of time have no interest in being O/Os, it's a damn good indication that it's probably not a cash cow.

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

You’re already “totally lost”? I don’t think you’re going to get much help here, this group encourages drivers to go company. I would expect any response you get will be a variation of the theme: DON’T DO IT, ARE YOU INSANE?

Bruce, there are numerous posts on here from Brett and other moderators saying that a driver should have several years of experience before looking at becoming an O/O. Anthony said that he has been driving for a few years. Where I think the "are you crazy?" part will come in is looking at owning multiple trucks right off.

Ryan, that was the OP’s request was. He wants to get “multiple trucks” etc. if he wants to start slow and simple, great. More power to him. His ambition sounds like it needs a 10 year incubation period. He wanted advice, sooooooooo…..

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

Are you for real??!!! You don't have close to enough time in to think along those lines. I, for one, wouldn't drive for you because you don't have a clue. Do you have $500,000 or more saved up for a few trucks? Keep dreaming and talk with some owners of small companies. They will tell you how much of a struggle it is, especially with the cost of fuel and pieces/parts.

Ive been driving for a few years and I'm ready to take it to the next level but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I want to purchase multiple trucks, hire drivers, start a payroll, and deal with the administrative end but totally lost.

Any advice would be really helpful, especially with who I'd have to Register with and all the paperwork that needs to be done to get started.

Thanks 😊!

Beyond the BEST advice .. already given; where do you live? You've added no bio, nor a profile.

Many laws are state specific; especially California. That in itself would be a hurdle for ONE truck!! Read some of PJ's posts and musings, on such. Have you looked into an OOIDA membership at all? I'm surprised you've not heard of them. Good place to start, if you can't be convinced otherwise.

Just my two cents,

~ Anne ~

Anthony welcome to the forum.

Your post is sort of specific as to your goal, but nothing else. I have been an O/O for a bit. I started out leasing onto a company, and now have my own authority. Last year I ran 2 trucks and I sold the 2nd one simply because I did not need the extra headaches. I have my own customers that I haul for and 2 brokers that I have known for a long time as backup.

You need to satisfy Federal requirements first then your state requirements before you can do anything.

The current economy is not a good for starting a new business, unless you have some serious capital and a niche market. Even if you do equipment prices are very high right now. Parts are also in short supply. My mechanic has been telling me for a year how he spends more time locating parts than he does installing them.

New startups also have a hard time finding good drivers. That process alone is a major headache. Someone can look good on paper and be a complete nightmare. Insurance the first year is also expensive. There are a ton of variables getting started. Contact an insurance agent and get a quote. I got my best price through Progressive.

Your first step is a written 3-5 year detailed business plan. That answers several required questions. IE: Type of equipment needed, freight sources, personnel requirements, office/business requirements (other than trucks/trailers). and several more areas.

My email is in my profile. I’m happy to answer any questions I can for you. I’m not going to tell you what to do because I don’t know your situation, but I can share what I have done. Because it has worked for me, doesn’t mean it will work for anyone else.