I’m interested in starting my own trucking company (contract carrier). I’ve been driving trucks for 13 years. Do you know of any Websites or contacts that would provide me with help on where to begin?
— A. Baker, Via the Internet
With 13 years of experience in the trucking industry, you already have an excellent understanding of the business. The question is: Do you want to be a single operator with your own rig or start a firm that manages a fleet of truck operators? In most cases, individuals will start out with their own rig to learn how to run a trucking business from the ground up. To help you choose, I found two resources worth looking into.
Earlier this year, BE profiled the success of Road One Express, a courier service that specializes in same-day and next-day deliveries (see “Full Speed Ahead,” Enterprise, April 2006). Road One owner Leonard Wright relies on a combination of independent contractor-couriers and his own drivers. To learn more about Road One Express, visit www.road1express.com.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the international trade association representing the interests of independent owner-operators and professional drivers on all issues that affect truckers. Visit its Website (www.oida.com) to learn about business services and career opportunities.