r/OwnerOperators

I purchased a truck myself and was in the starts of creating a llc with my friend. Things fell through so now I'm in the process of doing everything myself through my state. I already own the truck with title and have created the LLC in my state what are some good options for insurance I should look into? From what I gathered cover whale and logrock are the big ones that people use? Thanks!

Be aware! Got a rate con today saying the carrier is responsible for half the lumper, up to $300. Never gonna happen… 🙅‍♀️Read those rates cons!

New entrant here. Own authority. Got a quote for $36k a year flatbed cargo.

This is insane, is this what you guys go through as newbs? Am I screwed or can I make this work?

I'm looking for some advice from carriers who have been through the startup phase.

I'm in the process of launching a specialized open-deck trucking company. The long-term plan is to start with a couple of low-profile step deck trailers and build from there. My goal isn't to be the biggest carrier—it's to build a company with a reputation for professionalism, reliability, and integrity.

From day one, I plan to run a first-class operation with:

Professional tarp service and securement

ELD tracking and real-time communication

Quick, accurate paperwork and invoicing

Strong back-office support

Excellent customer service and honest communication

I know that's how many companies used to operate, and I think there's still a market for carriers that truly do what they say they're going to do.

My biggest question is about surviving the first 3–6 months while my authority ages.

I don't want to invest in new specialized equipment only to have it sitting in the yard because I can't access enough broker freight or direct customers with a brand-new authority. I'd rather be strategic than rush into buying expensive assets that aren't generating revenue.

Would it make more sense to:

Start with a box truck, Sprinter van, or hotshot setup to age the authority while generating cash flow?

Lease equipment instead of purchasing initially?

Focus heavily on direct shipper sales from day one?

Or is it realistic to jump straight into open-deck specialized freight with a new authority?

For those of you who have started a carrier recently:

How difficult was it to get freight with a brand-new authority?

How long did it take before brokers began working with you consistently?

What would you do differently if you were starting over today?

Any mistakes I should avoid during those first few months?

I'd really appreciate hearing from people who've actually been through it. Thanks in advance for any advice.

I drive for a small local company for a percentage of the load(30%). Been hauling for 2-2.75centa per mile or so. My dispatcher is showing me some pictures where most loads are around or under $2 per mile(Ohio-Tx/Az or any other states). We are looking for load out of ohio and usually run ohio to Colorado/Texas or any other states with higher paying load. Is this where the market right now or am I getting screwed. Thanks in advanced.

I have a friend who is trying to persuade me to buy a truck. When I ask him about how much he makes, he says his revenue is around 60k per month consistently and making around 30k in net. That number seemed a bit too high for me and I was wondering if that even sounds realistic. I am really new to this so I don't really know what the avg is for a truck owner operator.

Recently switched insurance, had it uploaded into Motus…it clearly shows my insurance is active but for some reason it’s making my Mc inactive by saying it’s not there. Got a letter saying so. Anyone else going thru this bs right now? We can’t book loads. Have called the FMCSA multiple times, asked to speak to supervisors. Our case was escalated 3 weeks ago but still nothing. Our business is taking a huge hit because it’s saying our Mc is inactive. Very frustrating. Anyone have any input here?

Hey all, not selling anything here.

Genuinely trying to validate an idea before building it, and figured this sub would have the most honest answers.

I keep hearing the same complaint from independent truckers: brokers taking 15-35% commission, little communication, no direct relationship with the shipper.

I’m exploring a platform that would connect owner-operators directly with companies that need industrial equipment hauled (flatbed, lowboy, oversized loads), cutting the broker out and dropping the cut to around 10-12%.

A few honest questions for anyone who’s been in the industry:

Does the broker commission complaint actually match what you deal with day to day, or am I overestimating the pain point?

Would a lower commission actually change your decision to use a platform ?

What would make you NOT trust a new platform like this (payment speed, no track record, etc.)?

Anything obvious I’m missing about how loads get assigned/insured/no-show handled that a broker normally deals with?

For context, I’m an engineer working as a project manager and on my end I deal with the other side of this problem constantly, lack of transparency from transport companies, no real-time visibility on shipments, having to go through a broker for basic info instead of talking directly to the carrier. That frustration is really what pushed me to think a direct platform could fix things for both sides.

Appreciate any blunt feedback, good or bad. Trying to figure out if this solves a real problem or if I’m missing something obvious from the actual driver’s side.

Hello im currently 23 and make about 1900-2000 after taxes a week at my job and I have about 50k saved. I live at home with my parents who dont really ask for bill money or anything like that so my monthly expenses are under $200, but i want more. I was wondering wat owner operators who have a hired driver make a week and what they net after taxes fuel driver pay and so on. Would it be smarter to get an 18 wheeler or box truck and send it out over the road? I also plan on leasing it on and paying a driver a guaranteed 1500 a week with bonuses is this too ambitious? What companies would be good to lease on with and which ones would let me hire a driver?

I’m just getting started with this third career, my CDL course is in three weeks. There is a lot to understand and I’m appreciative there is a Reddit group! To haul freight for someone I need to get the dot/mot numbers. To apply for these numbers I have to have insurance, which depends on what I’m hauling. So… it seems like I can’t register as a carrier without something to carry, and I can’t get something to carry without registering as a carrier. Clearly, I’m missing something. Thoughts?

WE ARE LOOKING FOR OWNER OPERATORS IN CINCINNATI OH WITH 24-26’ BOX TRUCK WITH LG TO RUN DEDICATED USPS ROUTES.

I’m a small fleet owner, and I’ve been thinking about a problem I keep running into.

Imagine plugging a small device into your truck (or using one that’s already available) and opening an app that shows everything in one place:

Check engine lights with plain-English explanations
Fault codes and how serious they are
Tire pressure
Oil life and fluid levels (if supported by the truck)
Battery health
Maintenance reminders
DOT inspection reminders
GPS location
Driver alerts
Repair history
AI predictions of potential failures before they leave you stranded

For example, instead of seeing a random fault code, the
app could say:
“Your truck has a DEF-related fault. This issue commonly leads to derate mode if ignored. Estimated repair cost: $400–$900. Recommended to schedule service within the next 200 miles.”

The goal would be to help owner-operators and small fleets avoid breakdowns, reduce downtime, and stay ahead of maintenance.

I’m not selling anything. I’m trying to find out if this is a real problem worth solving.

A few questions:
Would you actually pay for something like this?
How much would you realistically pay per truck each month?
What features would make it a must-have?
What do current systems like Samsara or Motive do that you like—or don’t like?
What’s your biggest frustration when it comes to truck maintenance today?

I appreciate any honest feedback, even if you think it’s a terrible idea.

Full disclosure up front, I help run a DOT random testing consortium, so this isn't a gotcha, it's a real debate happening on our team and I figured the people it actually affects should be the ones to settle it.

Here's the split. Some of us think sending a random selection notice on a weekend or a holiday weekend is rude. It lands on your one stretch of downtime and feels like work bleeding into your time off. The other camp says weekends are actually the best time, because a lot of drivers are home or parked, plenty of clinics have Saturday hours, and it's easier to just knock it out than to burn a driving day during the week.

So I want it straight from you. When a random pops, when do you actually want that notice? Does a Saturday text ruin your day, or is it the convenient time to go get it done? Does a holiday weekend make it worse? And does it change if you're a solo O/O versus running a few trucks?

Not selling anything, genuinely trying to not be the company that annoys the people we're supposed to be helping. Appreciate any honest takes.