QuestionDo hot shots run under the same laws as a big truck? Thinking of buying a truck & just looking for some more info. Also, in your opinion can you make good money or should I think big truck? Just a couple of things I have been thinking of doing. Thanks for your help & if you could get back to me with in the next week I would O you. Thanks again
AnswerHi Tommy...
Thanks for your question. I'll try to answer part of it. My answer assumes you would be operating interstate transporting property crossing state lines. If not and you operated only intrastate, you would be subject to your state and local laws.
You asked "Do hot shots run under the same laws as a big truck?"
This is somewhat dependent on the equipment you operate and what you transport. In almost all cases the answer would be "Yes". If the GVWR/CGVWR of your truck (truck & trailer) is 10,001 lbs or more operating in interstate commerce (crossing state lines), you'll be regulated by FMCSA and will have to comply with the same laws as any other motor carrier company.
This would include registering for a US DOT and MC number, obtaining the minimum required insurance, and having process servers in each state where you would operate.
Among other requirements are, drivers are subject to Hours of Service (logbooks, driving time constraints, etc.), vehicles & equipment must be inspected, and company records are required to be maintained. Operating a motor carrier company is highly regulated and requires business management skills as well as an understanding of the laws and regulations. Driving the truck is a small part of the entire array of abilities necessary to be successful in the business.
Essentially, the US DOT number is an identifying tracking number.
The MC# (motor carrier) is basically you federal license to transport interstate. It is referred to as "authority".
Insurance is required to meet the minimum financial responsibility requirements. If you are not hauling anything requiring placarding (specific quantities of HazMat), you would be required to maintain $750,000 BIPD (liability insurance) and as a common carrier, a minimum of $5,000/$5,000 cargo insurance. Note that if you transport flammable fuel powered motor vehicles, e.g. cars and trucks, the minimum BIPD is $1,000,000. As a contract carrier, you are not required to file cargo insurance.
A process server agent is a representative upon whom court papers may be served in any proceeding brought against a motor carrier. Every motor carrier (of property or passengers) shall make a designation for each State in which it is authorized to operate and for each State traversed during such operations.
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I can't even attempt to answer you question about the equipment you should consider or the potential earnings you might expect. There are just too many variables that depend on your business plan, the market, and your personal circumstances.
We do have a website including a discussion forum where you can communicate with others that are in the small truck business. Many of them are willing to share their experiences starting out and that may be helpful to you at the moment. The organization is "Stop Illegal Trucking" and the website is found at:
http://www.stopillegaltrucking.com/ From there you can click on the red stop sign and go to the discussion forums. In the forum you can ask questions directly and seek advice from many truckers that are doing exactly what you want to do. We also have a lot of "Beginner's Tips and Advice" along with explanations and interpretations of the regulations posted under the topic "GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS IN THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY". You can view and read the forum as a guest. However, to ask questions or comment in the forum, you must register as a member. There are no fees or charges of any kind and registration takes only a few seconds.
Thanks again for the question and I hope you'll join us at "Stop Illegal Trucking".
....Don
http://www.stopillegaltrucking.com/
