Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Partner with large, established trucking transport companies

Established ground transportation companies operate hundreds to thousands of trucks, and travel across North America. Drivers that work for a trucking company do not have to own their own trucks, and benefit from established contracts. By working with an established trucking company, you will benefit from experience and gain peace of mind.

I recommend: Swift Transportation owns an extensive network of trucking facilities across the United States and Mexico. The company operates more than 16,000 trucks across this network. Arrow Trucking Company specializes in flatbed freight trucking. This company transports goods throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

Know the rules of the road before getting into the trucking business

The trucking industry is governed by both state and federal regulations. Municipalities may also have rules designed to govern trucks, especially with regard to noise. No matter what your role in the trucking industry, you must be familiar with relevant laws to keep your business above board.

I recommend: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a division of the Department of Transportation that works to keep the trucking industry safe. The agency provides access to all federal regulations governing drivers, truck companies and vehicles. Driver Networks details trucking regulations by state, and provides information on scales and weigh stations. You can search their site by route, state or weigh station.

Make your voice louder with the help of a trucking and freight association

A large number of truckers are independent owner-operators. Operating a trucking business on your own has many advantages, but also some disadvantages, such as lack of company health insurance and paid vacation time. Trucking associations exist to lobby for those in the trucking industry, and to allow individuals to participate in insurance programs.

I recommend: The American Trucking Association has been an advocate for the trucking industry for 75 years. The organization conducts research and provides education on issues related to trucking. OOIDA (Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association) represents independent drivers and owner-operators on all issues related to trucking. This coalition of small businesses pools membership dues, giving independent drivers some of the advantages that come with working with large trucking companies.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many schools operate in the U.S. that will train you to drive trucks. Courses usually last for several weeks, and prepare students for the CDL (commercial driver's license) exam. Freight companies will often pay for training in order to recruit new drivers.

Guide to Finding the Trucking Services You Need

Pricing and service levels are complicated so learn before you buy

By Barbara Whitaker, freelance writer, none

1. The type of material you need to transport and whether special handling is necessary
2. The area served by the trucking firm
3. The cost of shipping
4. Insurance coverage

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand your options

Your choice of a trucking company will be dictated in part by the size of the load you need to transport. Different types of carriers move different quantities of goods. 'Full truckload carriers' move goods in a semi trailer and carry large loads. 'Less-than-truck-load carriers' collect smaller loads and may take them to a central distribution point. A parcel carrier like United Parcel Service typically handles loads that weigh less than 150 pounds.

I recommend: For a broad look at the various types of carriers and brokers, visit Transport 911, which provides more than a dozen trucking-related directories, from freight and transportation consultants to freight brokers to truckload carriers.

Learn the language

If you don't know a bill of lading (itemized list of materials contained in a shipment) from an LDL (less than load), you can look up the terms easily.

I recommend: Find definitions and abbreviations for commonly used trucking terms at A-Z Trucking Terminology. Check out Freight101 to learn how freight fees are calculated. This site provides tools like density calculators and metric-to-inch converters that will help you calculate shipping costs.

Understand pricing

Trucking companies often use the 'National Motor Freight Classification' to calculate prices. This classification uses a formula to evaluate the density, ease of handling and liability of materials being shipped. The goods are then placed in one of 18 categories and ranked by ease of transport. The idea is to make pricing more uniform.

I recommend: The National Motor Freight Traffic Association establishes the classifications, which also include details on packaging that can ultimately result in lower shipping prices. Participation by trucking firms is voluntary. Still, knowing the prices the association sets is valuable when negotiating fees. Details about how the system works are available on the association's Web site, but you can only make actual pricing calculations by purchasing the association's classification guide.

Find a trucker

There are dozens of options, from local to national to international carriers. Business associations often create relationships with trucking companies that offer discounts to members.

I recommend: Business.com has an extensive listing of trucking companies and brokers. Among the largest shippers are Yellow Transportation, Roadway Express and Schneider National, all of which provide quotes online. If you want a local trucking company, search online yellow page directories like Switchboard or SuperPages. Look up your trade group on Weddle's Association Directory and ask about group rates on trucking.

Use a broker

Brokers do much of the legwork for you and can help you find the best price.

I recommend: Several freight brokers provide online comparison shopping and free rate quotes with no obligation. They include sites like US Truck Loads, The Freight Source and Freight Center. Also available are sites like uShip, which bills itself as the eBay of shipping, bringing together shipping companies with those who have something to ship.

Check out trucking companies

Before signing with a company get as much background information as possible about its accident history and reliability. Ask companies for their overall claims ratio, which compares damage claims with the number of shipments carried. Be sure they have registered their vehicles, they have proper insurance; and drug testing programs for their drivers (which is voluntary).

I recommend: It's a good idea to check with local Better Business Bureaus about complaints against companies. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, registers and compiles background and safety data on shippers.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for shippers that will carry your load the entire way if possible.
• •  Be sure your load is adequately insured.
• •  Check out the company's business and safety history before signing contracts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Obtain a commercial driver's license to get started in the trucking business

Prior to 1986, there were no federal requirements for operating a commercial tractor-trailer. Many states had no requirements at all, and anyone with a driver's license was technically qualified to operate a semi. Federal legislation, aimed at improving highway safety, established minimum national requirements for commercial driver's licenses.

I recommend: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for issuing, administering and enforcing safety and hazardous materials regulations. The agency provides information about the history of the CDL program, including a quick reference fact sheet. CDL Digest offers current CDL information for free. The company provides links to the CDL issuing agencies in all 50 states.

Take your freight far working with long haul trucking companies

Long haul trucking is a common mode of ground transport. Large freight trucks usually have a sleeper cab, allowing drivers to live in their vehicles for extended periods of time. The only stops they make are for food, fuel and loading and unloading of freight.

I recommend: The U.S Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook provides current long haul trucking employment information. This is a great resource for learning about the types of trucking jobs available and their respective salary ranges. Top USA Jobs provides a list of long haul trucking jobs available in the United States. The database groups jobs by state and category.

Haul smaller loads with a hot shot trucking company

Hot shot loads are smaller than loads carried by full-sized semis. Hot shot truck companies often ship cars and other passenger vehicles for auction services. This type of ground transportation is popular, as it saves money when a load doesn't fill an entire semi.

I recommend: Hotshot LTL Carrier partners with independent owner-operators to ship vehicles and other goods. Click on the Forum link to discuss hot shot trucking and freight trucking with others who are interested in and knowledgeable about these topics. 123Loadboard is a load matching service for hot shot truckers and those who need to ship a load. Sign up for a free trial to learn more about the types of hot shot loads available.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are interested in trucking, be prepared to stop at weigh stations along interstates across the country. New technology allows trucks to weigh in motion as they drive, reducing or eliminating time spent pulling off of the road. Using this service requires transponder equipment, similar to toll road express passes. Consider using this service to save time and money.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

ATA

ATA refers to both 'actual time of arrival' and the American Trucking Association. The American Trucking Association, in business for more than 75 years, works as an advocate for the trucking industry, offers educational programs and industry research and promotes safety and security among drivers and on highways.

I recommend: Bookmark the American Trucking Association website to keep up with all the latest trucking news, issues and events.

Backhaul

Backhaul is a truck's return trip from its original destination to its point of origin. If the truck doesn't carry any freight on its backhaul, it's referred to as 'deadhead' or 'empty miles' or 'gap lanes.'

I recommend: Scroll down to the “Reduce Deadhead and Out-of-Route Miles” paragraph, and read more about the significance of reducing empty backhaul miles and other tips for improving a trucking company's success at the Focus Management Group website.

Fifth wheel

In the trucking industry, a fifth wheel refers to a coupling device that's attached to a tractor or dolly; it supports the front of a semi-trailer and locks it to the tractor or dolly.

I recommend: Learn more about one of the newest fifth wheels available on Freightliner's long-haul and heavy-duty trucks.

Automated Broker Interface (ABI)

Automated Broker Interface is the voluntary program under the U.S. Customs Service that's used to automate the flow of customs-related information among customs brokers, importers and carriers.

I recommend: Learn more about ABI and its features, user requirements and benefits on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Unified Carrier Registration Agreement (UCRA)

Established by federal law within the Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005, the Unified Carrier Registration Agreement is a reciprocity contract among states within the U.S. It requires individuals and companies operating commercial motor vehicles to register their business with their home state and pay an annual fee based on fleet size. Companies operating solely as brokers, freight forwarders or leasing companies must also pay a fee.

I recommend: Keep up with the latest information on the UCRA and fee enforcement through articles such as the one at Oregon.gov.

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

The International Fuel Tax Agreement is a fuel tax contract among the 48 contiguous states and 10 Canadian provinces. It promotes and encourages efficient use of the highway system via uniform procedures for the administration of motor fuel taxation for motor carriers that operate in several member jurisdictions. The agreement reduces paperwork and compliance burdens for fuel tax reporting.

I recommend: Learn more about how the IFTA works from Truckers Bookkeeping Service.