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Owning a Trucking Company: Answers to 5 Important Questions
Jun 17, 2021

Owning a trucking company can be a great avenue for anyone interested in working for themselves and cashing in on the optimistic outlook for the trucking industry in the coming years. Before you get started, though, make sure you have answers to a few of the questions you probably have—and maybe a few you didn’t think to ask.

Why Do We Need a CDL Physical? How Do You Start a Trucking Business With One Truck?

Plenty of trucking companies operate with just a few trucks, and starting a trucking business with one truck is certainly possible. In fact, starting a trucking business with one truck requires you to follow many of the same steps as owners with a full fleet (link to “6 Questions New Fleet Owners Always Ask”). You will still need to choose a company structure to establish your business; register for a USDOT number, an MC number, and an IRP; and get the proper insurance.

Can I Lease a Truck?

Yes, leasing a truck is a fine way to get started if you’re interested in owning a trucking company but don’t have the money to outright purchase a truck. Be sure to research the type of truck you want to get started with. Flatbed loads often pay the highest rate (though this can fluctuate), but you might determine that a van, step deck, or reefer is the right choice for you. There are pros and cons to consider when leasing a truck. But the benefits are clear: a lease doesn’t require a large amount of upfront money, it allows you to consider the latest models, and it has fewer maintenance costs.

How Long Does it Take to Start a Trucking Company?

How long it takes to start a trucking company can vary depending on several factors, including the time it takes you to choose things like a processing agent or how you will acquire loads. The paperwork process, though, typically takes about three weeks.

What Does Owning a Trucking Company Require?

If you plan to be an owner/operator, you will need a commercial driver’s license if you don’t already have one. After that, owning a trucking company requires several types of paperwork, registrations, and insurances, which we’ve laid out in this helpful blog (link to “What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?”). Worried you might miss something and looking for a little more help? We have years of experience helping trucking companies get set up.

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping?

While carbon neutral shipping might not be at the top of your list when thinking about owning a trucking company, these forward-thinking practices will help your business in the long run, so thinking about them at the outset might make the process easier for you down the line. Carbon neutral shipping means adopting environmentally friendly business practices that negate the carbon emissions your business puts into the atmosphere. This is a practice any business can adopt, but it is especially important for trucking companies because transportation accounts for such a large part of carbon emissions. Learn more about what carbon neutral shipping is and how you can adopt greener business practices (link to “What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?”).

Now It’s Time to Get On the Road

If you’re thinking about owning a trucking company, now is the time to get started. Don’t let the early stages of starting a trucking company hold you back. You can start a trucking company with just one truck, and if the business set up is making you hesitate, you don’t have to go at it alone. Gold Star offers business set up plans, consultation packages, and dispatching services that will get you on the road quickly and efficiently.

Your Guide to the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program

17 Jun, 2021
It’s impossible to think of the trucking industry without considering Amazon. In 2019, the company delivered 4.5 billion packages in the United States . Their Amazon Delivery Service Partner Program enables anyone with some startup capital the opportunity to get involved in their massively successful business venture. There are pros and cons to becoming an Amazon DSP, but the steady stream of work is certainly eye-catching to start-up trucking companies. Amazon lays out some of the most important information , but let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions.

Your Guide to DOT Background Check Requirements for Drivers

17 Jun, 2021
A thorough, compliant background screening program for your drivers should be the backbone of your hiring strategy. Background checks ensure that your new drivers have all of the qualifications necessary to do the job well and to best represent your company out on the road. Background checks also, of course, weed out any drivers with disqualifying criminal histories, a history of driving violations, and substance abuse problems. That’s why they should be a standard part of your fleet safety program anyway (link to “Fleet Safety Program: 4 Important Things to Remember”). In our regulated industry, a DOT background check is required. Here’s how DOT background check requirements differ from standard employment screening.

Will Truck Driving Be Automated?

17 Jun, 2021
It’s the question on the minds of truck drivers, owners, and delivery companies everywhere: will truck driving be automated? Automated trucks have been a conversation point for years now, with many worrying that technology advances will put millions of people out of work. Despite these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 5% growth for trucking employment in the coming years. While other industries struggle to adapt to new technology, the trucking industry is greatly benefiting from it. There are a range of opinions when it comes to this question, though most truck drivers seem confident that their jobs can’t (or at least won’t) be done by machines any time soon. Before getting into the trucking industry, it’s important that you take a look at the landscape and make an educated decision about it—but remember there will always be a need to move goods from one place to another, and the explosion in online ordering suggests that need is only going to expand. Let’s take a look at the current state of automated trucks as we dive into the question: will truck driving be automated?

What Is Carbon Neutral Shipping & How Do Companies Become Carbon Neutral?

17 Jun, 2021
Trucking and logistics is no longer just about getting materials from point A to point B. Much like consumers want to buy their products from socially responsible corporations or boycott businesses that don’t align with their beliefs, many companies want to work with trucking companies that prove they care about the environment. Whether due to their personal beliefs, to the corporate responsibility goals they’re mandated to meet, or to a desire to please their own customer base, you’re serving clients who will ask about your carbon neutral shipping practices sooner rather than later. Now is the time to start taking this topic seriously. Do you find yourself asking “what is carbon neutral shipping anyway?” Are you wondering why carbon neutral shipping might be a benefit? Curious to know how companies become carbon neutral? Keep reading to discover the answers to all of your questions about this climate-responsible approach to business.

What Do I Need to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
The trucking industry landscape is largely made up of small businesses—with over 90% of companies operating fewer than seven trucks—so there is room for you if you’re considering starting a small trucking business. Whether you’re a professional truck driver already or you’re just a prospective business owner looking to cash in on the projected growth in the industry, you can get on the road toward a successful business with our help. What do you need to start your own trucking business? Just a little bit of insight from Gold Star’s experts.

The Facts & Figures: How Much Does it Cost to Start a Trucking Company?

17 Jun, 2021
Are you ready to work for yourself? Find yourself wondering how much does it cost to start a trucking company? Some estimates anticipate between $10,000 and $20,000 to get started with a small trucking company, assuming you don’t have to factor in the average cost of a semi truck. What goes into the cost of starting a logistics company? Let’s take a look.
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