Trucking: Starting in the business, trucking co, target market

Question
Hi, some of my friends and myself are trying to make a move and join together with about 15 trucks and start a trucking co. Some are experienced in the trucking field, but we don't quit know where to start. Any advice would help.

Answer
Ray, to begin start by understanding the legal requirements for DOT registration. http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/NewEntrant-faq.asp
Here is a site that wants to sell you startup services but a simple review of their services will give you an idea of what you need to do,
http://www.truckingstartupservice.com/index.html
Here is a site that will sell you a prepackaged business plan, http://www.125aday.com/books/266/business-plan-trucking-company.cfm
Once you have covered all of the legal compliance and registrations you need to focus on marketing.  Who is your target market?  Can you price your service to cover all costs and still compete in the market?  Can you specialize in a niche or provide a premium service that will allow you to charge more?  This is not intended to be a comprehensive step by step but should give you some direction to continue pulling your plan together.  Best of luck.  Jim.