Trucking: starting a trucking company, trucking service, trucking business

Question
Hello, Jim. I want to start my own trucking business. I don't want to lease my truck to a big company. I'd rather get loads for my truck on my own. How i can make it happen? Do i need special permit apart from insurance? And where i can get list of companies that need trucking service?

Answer
Maria, start here for your FMCSA requirements:
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/NewEntrant-faq.asp
There is no specific list of customers, it just takes old fashioned sales prospecting.  Are you hiring drivers?  You can't sell and drive at the same time so unless you have a couple of customers lined up with commitments it will be tough to get started in this economy.
Best wishes whatever you decide.
Jim