Things to think about before starting a Local Owner Operator Jobs
It’s now time for you to advance in your trucking profession. You’ve worked hard thus far to complete your CDL training, and now is your chance to start a fulfilling job! We have already discussed OTR, Local, Specialized, and Team Truck Driving in this blog series. Owner Operators is the final destination on our tour of Local Owner Operator Jobs. Local Owner Operator Jobs may be the best option for you, regardless of your level of experience behind the wheel. It seems wonderful to have the independence of being your own employer, doesn’t it?
How can you tell if being an owner operator is a viable career for you?
There are around 350,000 owner operators in the United States, some of whom drive independently and others who lease on a bigger carrier, according to OOIDA Foundation motor carrier study. Local Owner Operator Jobs typically start their careers at around 37 years old and have a lot of expertise. For younger (or older) owner-operators with any level of driving expertise, success is still possible.
It’s critical to assess both your financial situation and personal goals before deciding to pursue an Owner Operator profession. Before starting your new career, evaluate the following four areas.
Self-Evaluation
First, ask yourself what you want from your profession as a truck driver while giving yourself a hard time in the mirror. You might be a good fit for the job if you want to set your own hours, be your own boss, and make truck driving your career. To determine if being an owner operator is the right fit, you must also consider your personality, current/potential health condition, family, and career goals.
Finances Are Important
Financial stability is one of the most crucial aspects of being an owner operator. How are you going to raise the money necessary to launch this new company? In addition to the vehicle itself, expenses to take into account include fuel, taxes, health insurance, and truck maintenance and insurance. You must have fundamental accounting and booking keeping abilities, as well as be aware of the costs related to being an Local Owner Operator Jobs (or hire someone who can help!)
Owner Operator Leasing or Independent?
The next decision is whether you wish to work independently or in conjunction with another carrier. Working alone gives you the freedom to choose cargoes that fit your lifestyle and operate your truck whenever you want, whenever you want. However, leasing your vehicle from a different carrier enables you to receive more regular cargoes, some driver reimbursements, and company-provided trailers. You must evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the two possibilities. What matters most in the end is whether you value ultimate independence or load security more.
Making an Equipment Selection
The type of vehicles you want, where you will get them, and how much you are ready to pay are the last things you need to think about. Fancy trucks may look great on the road, but they are expensive and may end up costing you more money over time. In general, old trucks are less expensive and still functional. However, make careful to take the truck’s mileage, warranty, and fuel efficiency into account before making a purchase. Choose a truck that is appropriate for your area of activity as well. The truck you select will have a direct impact on how much money you can make at the end of the day.
Would you like to start the process of becoming an Local Owner Operator Jobs? Class A, Class B, and Ag Transportation CDL Training classes are all offered by Advanced Career Institute, a California truck driving school. ACI has sites in Merced, Visalia, and Fresno, all in California, where it offers truck driving training programmes. Visit Our Programs to learn more about our CDL Training!
Have you read the other three articles in this series on truck driving careers? Visit our earlier posts to compare team driving, specialised truck driving, and OTR vs local truck driving!
References:
- Hours of work, and perceptions of fatigue among truck drivers
Available online 11 June 1998.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0001457597000262 - Risk factors for depression in truck drivers
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00127-008-0412-3
