*DISCLAIMER: I am not an attorney or insurance agent. Your results may differ from mine or any other person. The information in this guide is meant to be educational and DOES NOT guarantee any sort of results.*
Alright everyone! Let's GET TO BUSINESS!
The advantage of the car hauling sector compared to other sectors of trucking (Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Step-Deck, Conestoga, Lowboy, RGN, and many more) is that it can provide you with immediate work, exceptional compensation regardless if you have investment funds for equipment or training. All that is required from you is a driver's license. HOW COOL IS THAT!
By understanding this business and the way it works from the beginning, “A to Z”, it will save you hundreds of dollars in the first weeks and thousands of dollars in the upcoming months.
Here you will learn everything about the business in the most effective way, things like: how to start, what you need, how to do the job, how or where to get business from, how to deal with customers and brokers, tips and other information which will save you thousands of dollars in the long run. You will be provided with useful links and resources that will be useful throughout your journey as a car hauler.
A personal example from my own experience, I received poor training and because I lacked understanding, and lacked the training, in my first month I received a ticket for which I had to pay a $3,000 fine. OUCH! Now if that wasn't hard enough, on top of that, I also received a violation on my record that stayed with me for 3 years! What an even bigger OUCH! The worst part about the situation is that the violation impacted my insurance severely. When I opened my own company and got my own insurance, I had to pay approximately an extra $15,000 in the first year for my premium which could’ve been avoided from the beginning. What I also found out is that this situation also impacted my personal insurance. That’s my personal experience for you to learn from.
Other examples of issues you may encounter that can cost you violations and finances are:
1) The type of equipment you’re operating
2) How you keep your maintenance records
3) How sound/road worthy is your truck and trailer mechanically
(Meeting DOT regulations is CRUCIAL!)
4) How your operating (Legal, or Illegal)
These are 4 of the most common places where newbies as well as veterans of the trucking business run into issues.
Starting with this guide is the best decision you could’ve made for yourself. Understanding the way the business works is the secret to success. This guide will help you take the right steps in achieving your goals and avoid unnecessary costly expenses, violations, and frustration. Like any other area of life, most things in this business you will learn from your own experience as you go. But it will cost you time and money. The goal of this guide is to spare you of that hassle and the experience I had above. My goal is to help you avoid those issues and teach you properly what to expect and what to do.
Most of drivers typically start by working for a company, learning the business, gaining experience and saving money so they can buy their own equipment and start working for themselves. This is what I did! This is also what I consider the best way to go. The reason i feel this way is that for whatever reason you decide this is not for you after you begin and you want to step back from this business, you have nothing to lose. You are not stuck with the truck, trailer or any type of equipment, no financial obligation and you can quit without any downside.
NOTE: When you start working for a company, they may require a minimum amount of time for to stay with them once you start working (varies from 3 to 6 months or 12 months) and they will hold a certain amount of money from your pay as deposit, this is for their assurance in case you will damage the equipment or a load or not fulfill your obligations as agreed.