Owner Operator (sometimes called Independent Contractors) are drivers who own the truck and operate as an independent business. Owner operator drivers decide who they will contract with, when they will drive, where they will drive and the cargo they will carry.

More information about Owner Operators (Independent Contractors)
At its most basic level, an owner operator is exactly as it sounds — a driver who owns the truck he or she operates as an independent business and is responsible for paying their expenses. You own, or have financed, the costs of your own truck in your own name. You decide who you will contract with, when you will contract, where you will drive, and the cargo you are willing to carry.

An owner operator is a 'free and clear' small business owner. Likewise, those searching for freight shipment often prefer to deal with owner operators and will pay more when the opportunity is exists. The availability of owner operators allows for carriers or company fleets and employees to maintain a certain-size based on average business levels, and then seek outside services of an owner operation to meet demand when needed. The fact that an owner operator, by definition, means the truck's owner and driver are one in the same removes the financial burden of a carrier or company hiring and training extra drivers when demand sinks to normal or below normal levels.

Power Only Owner Operator
“Power Only” owner operators are individuals who own one or more trucks but do not own trailers. When working with a power only owner operator, the individual or company contracting the services must provide a trailer the owner operator will haul. Often, power-only owner operators lease their trucks to a company and operate under the leasing company's DOT authority.

Truck and Trailer Owner Operator
The second type of owner operator is one who owns both truck(s) and trailer(s). This type of owner operator is even more of a true small business owner than a power only operation in that they run on their own authority, broker freight from various companies or work through a third-party broker and have freedom in negotiating the terms of contracts.

Perhaps the most successful path to a career as an owner operator is paying your dues as a carrier, company, and/or lease-purchase driver. Soak in all the knowledge your mind can hold about everything trucking — the industry, the lifestyle, payment arrangements, federal regulations.....and much, much more.

In terms of gross revenue, you will make far more than any other type of drivers. The average owner operator makes between $41,000 and $183,000. These figures are after expenses, so it is easy to see than even an early career owner operator might approach six figures in gross income.

Companies hiring Owner Operator drivers include Tran Stewart, Star Freight, Logix Transportation, Berger Allied Moving & Storage, Beyond Distribution and Fort Transfer.

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A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required to operate large, heavy, or hazardous material vehicles in the US. The “class” of CDL a truck driver needs depends on the type of commercial motor vehicle operated. A truck driver may hold a CDL in one of three classes: Class A, Class B, and Class C.

For a detailed explanation of the different classes of CDLs, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.

Driver Type refers to the employment arrangement a driver operates. The most common truck driver arrangements include:

  • Company Driver: Drivers employed by a specific carrier with its own fleet of trucks. “Companies” can be carriers that contract to transport other individuals' or companies' freight, or companies that carry their own freight.
  • Lease-Purchase: Drivers hired by carriers where the truck is leased to the individual driver.
  • Owner Operator (OO): Drivers who own the truck and operate as an independent business (also referred to as an "independent contractor").
  • Team Driver: Drivers operating with a partner who shares driving duties.

For a detailed explanation of Driver Types, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.

Hauling Type (or trailer type, or equipment type) refers to the type of cargo being hauled. Different types of cargo materials require different types of trailers, and each type of trailer requires unique driver experience.

For a detailed explanation of Hauling Types, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.

Endorsements are required certifications for CDL holders hauling various types of equipment and freight. The most common endorsements for long haul truck drivers include:

  • Doubles/Triples: required for drivers hauling double or triple trailers.
  • HazMat: required for transporting hazardous materials.
  • Tanker: required for operating a vehicles designed with a permanent or temporary tank attached.

For a detailed explanation of the different types of endorsements, visit Truck Driving Job Resources.

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Finding the right diesel mechanic job requires careful consideration of various factors. Research potential employers’ reputation and culture, evaluate compensation packages, and confirm that long-term growth and advancement opportunities fit with your career goals. Other factors to consider include: your own level of experience, skill and industry specialization vs the job requirements; CDL license requirements; tool requirements; location; training and professional development opportunity; work schedule, flexibility and work-life balance. For key considerations for finding a job as a heavy-duty truck diesel mechanic or technician, visit our Diesel Mechanic Job Resources.

Diesel mechanic certifications represent an industry recognized level of knowledge and expertise in a particular area of diesel engine diagnosis, repair or maintenance. These advanced certifications are offered by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and enhance a mechanic’s skill set and positively impact their qualifications and salary. Certifications may be obtained in specific areas such as gasoline and diesel engines, drive trains, brakes, suspension and steering, electronics, HVAC and preventative maintenance. For a listing of ASE certifications available specifically for heavy-duty truck mechanics, visit our Diesel Mechanic Job Resources.

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