You will bear the expense of purchasing or leasing a van or truck, plus the cost of licensing and insurance. This business will succeed only if you can bring in a steady stream of jobs at prices that cover your expenses and time. Work may be seasonal, with spikes of business around holiday periods. In tourist or vacation areas, companies may need extra help in the summer or winter seasons. By signing up as a contractor for a national shipping company, your job flow may be more regular, but such companies are very strict about driving records, court records, and insurance requirements.
Consult an attorney before setting up a trucking company with scheduled deliveries that cross state lines. Although the Interstate Commerce Commission no longer has a stranglehold on trucking, there are still many state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, which will take an interest in your operations. Contact area office supply stores, appliance stores, and other merchants and offer your services for on-demand deliveries. Check with major national carriers about availability of independent contractor deals in your area. You’ll need a van or truck large enough to meet the needs of your clients, but not so large that its purchase or lease and the cost of operation would eat up all of your profits. You will also be required to have a commercial driver’s license and tags, plus adequate collision and liability insurance coverage.
Contracts with major carriers usually pay by the mile, plus a stipend to cover some of the costs of the vehicle itself. Deals with smaller local retailers may be priced by the hour or the mile, with extra payments for overweight items, night or weekend deliveries, and inside deliveries (versus those left outside the door). An insurance agent can offer counsel about commercial vehicle insurance and liability coverage.
