A trucking company is capital-intensive and regulated: you'll need federal operating authority, high insurance limits and a truck that's either paid for or financed. Profit depends on cost per mile — fuel, maintenance, insurance and the truck payment — against the rates you can secure.
1. Get your CDL and experience. Most insurers and shippers want owner-operators with driving history. Many start by leasing onto a carrier.
2. Form the business. Register an LLC, get an EIN, and open a separate business bank account.
3. Register with FMCSA. Get a USDOT number and, for interstate for-hire freight, MC operating authority. Also complete BOC-3 process agent filing and UCR registration.
4. Buy commercial truck insurance. Primary liability, cargo and physical damage coverage. Expect insurance to be one of your largest early costs.
5. Get the truck and IFTA / IRP. Buy or lease equipment, then register for IFTA fuel tax and IRP apportioned plates.
6. Find freight. Combine load boards and brokers to start, and work toward direct shipper contracts. Use a factoring company if cash flow between invoice and payment is tight.
7. Write the business plan. Truck financiers and banks want to see your cost per mile, rate assumptions and how payments are covered in slow freight markets.
Revenue is freight rates per mile or per load, from load boards, brokers, or direct shipper contracts. Direct contracts usually pay better and more reliably than spot loads. Fuel is the largest and most volatile cost; insurance, truck payments, maintenance and driver pay follow. Empty (deadhead) miles erode margin quickly.
What authority do I need to start trucking?
A USDOT number and, for interstate for-hire freight, MC operating authority from FMCSA, plus a BOC-3 filing and UCR registration.
What is cost per mile in trucking?
Your total operating cost divided by miles driven — the number every rate decision should be checked against.
Can I get a loan for a semi-truck?
Yes, through equipment financing or SBA loans. Lenders will ask for a business plan showing revenue per mile and cost per mile.