So your thinking of becoming a truck driver but dont know where to start? There are many types of trailers and loads you can haul from 48ft flatbed trailers to Reefer trailers to smaller 24-26ft straight truck (bobtail trailers). You can driver interstate or intrastate…which loads are good for you, and which loads make the most money?
For most loads brokers or shippers will want a driver to have some expierience and probably want them driving approx 4-6months of over the road experience. Other manufactures need their loads deliveried ASAP and will let a driver haul a load with little experience.
A good place to start is with the Owner Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) new drivers checklist. Once you have got your experience under your belt you will probably have lots of questions about your next steps like What is a reasonable/acceptable starting pay per mileage? or what other expenses you may have as a owner operator.
To find new loads you can get wireless access at truck stops an get on a trucking loadboards to find available loads. FindFreightLoads.com is a great loadboard that will dispatch loads over the phone so you dont need a computer or internet access when your over the road.
Another great place to start when your a new owner operator is trucking forums, they are a great place for newbies and experienced drivers give great feedback.