While it’s true that there is certainly a wide range of different opportunities open to you as a truck driver, you’ll still have to work at your career – the same as anything else. A job isn’t just going to fall into your lap, so to speak. You need to be proactive about earning that next position, and you’ll want to lean into any source of help you can find along the way.

One such resource that will be used during this period is a DAC report. It’s a bit like a credit report for CDL drivers, and it’s something that any potential employers will absolutely look at when deciding whether to hire you. Because of that, you need to know exactly what they’re looking for and other key insights that will be relied on moving forward.

What is a DAC Report?

In a broad sense, a DAC report is a type of specialized background check that dives into more detail about the driving and employment history of truck drivers. Potential employers will use it as a way to find out more about who you are, how you perform as an employee, and if there are any type of issues in your past that may impact your job performance in the future.

Again – it’s not unlike a credit report, which a potential lender will pull before deciding whether to give you a credit card in the future. If your history is filled with abandoned accounts and delinquent payments, a new lender probably isn’t going to give you a brand-new card with a high credit limit. If your credit history is immaculate with absolutely no issues, they might. The point is that they have easy access to the data so they can decide for themselves.

Who Keeps DAC Reports?

All DAC reports are managed, maintained, and provided by a private company called HireRight. They’re an organization that specializes in exactly this type of industry-specific employee background screening.

It can be strange for one company to have so much of a foothold in an entire industry, but it does. A significant majority of medium and large trucking companies in particular will pull a DAC report as a part of their hiring process, which means you really need to concern yourself with what is on it and how accurate it is.

What are the Benefits of DAC Reports?

From the perspective of a carrier, the major benefit of a DAC report has to do with the improved hiring decisions that come with it.

Trucking companies no longer have to rely on just the word of a potential hire when making a decision. They have a document they can turn to with detailed, verified, and accurate information about someone’s entire work performance. They won’t have to guess whether someone is the safe driver they claim to be. The carrier can make the most informed decisions possible regarding who they hire and what kinds of tasks they’re assigned to.

Along the same lines, this also helps to mitigate a significant amount of risk on behalf of the employers themselves. If you’re a trucking company, and you hire someone with a known history of accidents, violations, and other examples of poor performance, and that driver gets on the road and eventually has an accident that causes serious injury, you could be held responsible for hiring that person in the first place. It will literally be argued in a court of law that you should have known better than to give that driver a job.

With a DAC report, on the other hand, you can show you’ve done your due diligence. Not only do you have a document that shows you that someone is a reliable driver to begin with, but if they do have a big accident, you’re protected from the aforementioned argument.

What Information is Contained in DAC Reports?

DAC reports contain quite a bit of information, including any relevant driver identification like a driver’s name, address, and license number.

Someone’s employment history is a big part of what a DAC report will contain. This will include the length of time they worked for particular jobs, performance details, and even reasons for leaving.

Given the fact that you’re talking about a truck driver who is trying to find a job in the transportation industry, that person’s accident history and violations will also be included and are very relevant. Any accidents that someone has been involved in during their career will be included, including the date the accident happened, the circumstances under which it took place, and more. You’ll also be able to see whether they got not just a speeding ticket, but also a DUI or other driving-related violations as well.

Along those same lines, any available drug and alcohol testing information will also be contained within the DAC report. Other pieces of data that a carrier will be able to rely on when making a hiring decision include any endorsements or restrictions that the driver has had, as well as any claims of litigation. That last part is particularly important, as you’ll be able to see the details of any lawsuits that someone has been involved in, any claims that have been made against them, any disputes they may have had with other drivers, and more.

How to Fix Inaccuracies in DAC Reports

Not unlike a credit report, it’s important to note that all truck drivers are entitled to get a free copy of their DAC report directly from HireRight. They’ll be able to verify that what employers see when they pull the report is actually correct. If there are any inaccuracies, you can file a dispute with HireRight to have it taken care of.

Key Points to Understand About DAC Reports

While the easiest way to understand a DAC report is to use a credit report as an example, know that these are two different things. A DAC report relates to someone’s professional history within the trucking industry in general. A credit report can relate to someone’s both personal and professional life in a much broader way as it relates to finances.

Also, understand that DAC reports are not infallible – errors can and often do occur. Some entries may not have the correct dates. Others may be devoid of important information that would give an employer context. That’s why drivers need to be proactive about getting their free copy of their DAC report to file any necessary disputes and to otherwise correct any inaccuracies that may be found.

To find out even more information about what is a DAC report and why it’s ultimately so important, or to discuss the future of the industry in general, please reach out to the Advanced Commercial Capital team today.

Commercial truck driving is an incredibly important profession, serving as the backbone of the United States economy. It’s also dangerous, as accidents involving tractor-trailers and other heavy commercial vehicles can be quite severe in a worst-case scenario.

Thankfully, the Department of Transportation, otherwise known as the DOT for short, has taken steps to mitigate this as much as possible. One such step is the 14-hour rule – understanding what it is and what it means for truck drivers is the key to making the most informed decisions possible moving forward.

What is the DOT 14-Hour Rule?

As the name implies, the DOT 14-hour rule is a new rule that says that a truck driver can only work a maximum of 14 consecutive hours within a single 24-hour period. This is to limit the amount of time that one person can spend on duty during a work day, thus reducing fatigue and helping to curb accidents across the country.

What Other Time-Based Rules Does the DOT Enforce?

Note that the 14-hour rule is hardly the only (or even the first) time-based rule that the Department of Transportation enforces. Others include the following.

11-Hour Rule

The 11-Hour Rule states that drivers are allowed to drive a maximum of 11 hours during 14 hours. This limits the amount of time they can spend actively driving, hopefully giving them more than enough time to rest and recover before they get back on the road.

70-Hour Rule

The 70-Hour Rule limits the total number of hours a driver can work in a 7-day or 8-day period. Once they hit 70 hours of time spent performing the duties of their job, they need to rest for at least 34 hours in a row before they can begin what is considered to be a new work week.

How Do DOT Time Rules Work Together?

The Department of Transportation’s time-based rules all work together to help create more of a work/life balance for truck drivers everywhere. Collectively, they give truckers rest periods that make sense – hopefully minimizing the amount of fatigue they experience while still allowing them to achieve maximum productivity on behalf of their employer.

The 14-hour rule includes both driving and other duties like loading and unloading, for example. The 11-hour rule relates specifically to driving time, giving the trucker three additional hours for non-driving activity.

How are Driver Hours of Service (HOS) Tracked?

In the modern era, driver hours of service are tracked automatically through electronic logging devices provided by their employer. These devices automatically record not only the amount of time someone spends driving, but also the length of time that the truck’s engine is on, and other essential information. It is actually mandated that commercial drivers use electronic devices that are compliant with all current rules and regulations.

These devices sync with the vehicle’s engine to track the driver’s time behind the wheel and help make sure that they do not exceed daily and weekly driving limits. These devices also allow for easier enforcement of current commercial trucking rules by law enforcement agencies, as they can access a driver’s log data during roadside inspections.

The Importance of the 14-Hour Rule

Again – the number one reason why the 14-hour rule is important and why it’s in place at all has to do with helping to cut down on driver fatigue as much as possible.

It’s been said that fatigue is the number one cause of truck driving-related accidents in the United States. Think about how dangerous it can be to get behind the wheel of a standard passenger vehicle if you haven’t slept for many hours or if you’ve been on the road for long periods of time. They have rest stops alongside most major turnpikes for a reason.

Now, multiply the dangers of that situation exponentially when you consider how large commercial vehicles are and you begin to get a sense of just how devastating fatigue is.

From a logistical perspective, the rule also encourages better planning and scheduling for transportation companies, helping drivers and managers stay within legal driving limits while still meeting delivery deadlines.

Who Needs to Follow the New 14-Hour Rule?

The 14-hour rule established by the Department of Transportation applies to any commercial truck driver who is taking part in interstate commerce. This includes those who are transporting loads across state lines, as well as those who are working in long-haul transportation.

Consequences of Violating the 14-Hour Rule

In addition to potentially severe fines and penalties, any drivers found to violate the 14-hour rule will go through increased scrutiny (and likely audits) in the future. They’ll probably start to see repeated inspections from regulators that they weren’t previously subject to in the past.

From a broader perspective, one of the biggest consequences of violating the 14-hour rule has to do with the legal liability that all parties expose themselves to. In the event of an accident, especially one involving driver fatigue, violating the 14-hour rule can lead to legal actions and claims for negligence. This could be costly for the driver or the trucking company.

Driver Challenges & Concerns

Obviously, the number one challenge concerning the 14-hour rule is the time pressure that drivers are normally under. Drivers are hired to meet delivery deadlines and they must do so without working too long or violating the 14-hour limit in any way. This could have an impact on their earnings, which could make it more difficult to enjoy the type of career they had always seen for themselves.

Strategies to Manage Drive Time Within the 14-Hour Limit

Luckily, there is a wide range of strategies that can be used to manage drive time within the 14-hour limit moving forward.

Maybe the number one best practice that all parties should follow involves effective, proactive route planning. Careful planning can help drivers optimize their driving hours, avoid traffic delays, and reduce the chances of running out of available driving time before reaching their destination. It’s not a foolproof way to avoid issues, but it will go a long way towards mitigating risk from unexpected delays versus heading out onto the road without a plan.

But beyond that, drivers need to know their limits and make smart decisions whenever possible. Drivers must be mindful of the time they spend not only on the road but loading and unloading as well. Practice time management skills to make the most of the time you do have available for the best results.

If you’re interested in finding out even more information about the new 14-hour rule for truck drivers, or if you have any additional questions about rules and regulations that you’d like to go over in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact Advanced Commercial Capital today.

There’s an old saying that reminds us “time is money” – whoever coined that phrase was likely talking about an owner-operator in the logistics industry whether they realized it or not.

When taking on work, it’s important to acknowledge that not all jobs are created equally. If you have two tasks ahead of you with both requiring you to drive 100 miles, one could still be profitable while the other is woefully inadequate. This is because different factors determine your owner-operator cost per mile.

Understanding what those factors are – and how to calculate that cost before you take the job – is the key to making the most profitable decisions possible when it comes to your career.

How Much Do Owner Operator Truck Drivers Make?

Owner-operator truck drivers can earn between $150,000 and $300,000 annually, depending on factors such as freight type, distance traveled, and operational efficiency. Actual earnings vary widely based on market conditions and individual business strategies, but the role offers significant income potential for those who manage their operations effectively.

Why You Should Calculate Your Cost Per Mile

One of the biggest reasons why you should always calculate your owner-operator cost per mile is because it helps you remain profitable. If you know how much you’re spending to drive one mile on an average job, you know whether your rates will actually be able to cover your expenses. Not only do you know how much of a profit you’re making, but you also have actionable information that you can use to increase those profits as much as possible.

Having said that, knowing your owner-operator cost per mile also helps to keep you competitive. You can strike that delicate balance between making as much profit as you can and making sure that your rates aren’t set so high that you have a hard time getting attention.

Beyond that, knowing your owner-operator cost per mile is all about the foresight it gives you. If you know how much you’re spending per mile, you can focus on things like route optimization, for example. You can also concern yourself with better budgeting and planning, all of which will help make sure that you’re operating as efficiently and as cost-effectively as possible. This is in comparison to owner-operators who don’t know their cost per mile, who probably end up spending a lot more than they realize on an average job.

Factors That Determine Cost Per Mile

Many new owner operators in particular make the mistake of assuming “cost per mile” and “cost for gas” are the same thing. In reality, that is just one small part of a much larger story. Other critical factors that you must track include the following.

Travel Distance

Obviously, one of the main things you’ll want to look at to determine your cost per mile is the travel distance. Believe it or not, short-haul trips usually result in a higher cost per mile because a lot of the fixed costs you’re dealing with, like insurance, are distributed over fewer miles.

Weight & Dimensions of Shipment

Heavier loads will typically be associated with a higher cost per mile because they require more fuel, more of your time, and sometimes even specialized equipment that ends up being more expensive.

Freight Classification

Freight that is of a higher freight classification tends to be bulkier, more fragile, or just more difficult to handle. This will increase the amount of time it takes to move them properly, which will ultimately raise your cost per mile as well.

How to Calculate Your Cost Per Mile

Once you know which fixed and variable factors impact cost per mile, you can begin to calculate your own. You should do this before accepting or even bidding on a job so that you know exactly how much you can expect to make from it if all goes to plan.

Determine Expected Mileage

First, look at the route you’ve laid out for yourself and determine how many miles you expect to drive. Thankfully, this is something that can be done right online these days.

Calculate Your Fixed Expenses

Next, look at all the fixed expenses that you have that will not actually change depending on the length of the trip. These still impact your cost per mile because they still need to be accounted for. This includes but is not limited to things like any truck payments or leasing costs that are still outstanding, the amount you’re paying for insurance, and even depreciation.

Determine Your Variable Costs

Next, you can take a look at all your variable costs. These will always fluctuate based on the amount of miles you’re traveling, which is why you need to re-run these numbers with every trip.

Factors that would fall into this category include fuel because you can’t control (nor can you predict it). Any maintenance or repairs that are needed for the upcoming trip in particular would also qualify. As would tolls, fees, and any driver costs (like wages for someone other than yourself) that need to be accounted for.

Include Salary Expenses

Speaking of wages, always include your own salary (or the salary of someone else) in your calculation.

Calculate Cost Per Mile

Finally, you can get down to actually calculating the cost per mile. To do this, take the total fixed costs you have and add to them the total variable costs. Take the number you arrive at and divide it by the total number of miles you’ll be driving for this trip. At that point, you have your cost per mile, and you can set bids (and make other financial-related decisions) accordingly.

Start Optimizing Your Earnings Today!

Once you learn how to calculate your cost per mile (and use that information to your advantage), you can begin to explore other techniques that optimize your earnings – like freight factoring.

Also commonly referred to as invoice factoring, freight factoring is a type of financial service that allows you to sell your invoice to a third party to get paid immediately – all to free up cash flow so that you can devote the majority of your attention to the task ahead.

Just because you know how much your cost per mile is doesn’t mean a client will necessarily pay you on time. With freight factoring, you can take care of those outstanding invoices and spend less time collecting so that you can spend more time driving – which in and of itself is the most important benefit of all.

If you’d like to find out more information about how you can easily calculate your cost per mile as an owner-operator, or if you have any additional questions that you’d like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Advanced Commercial Capital today.

Whether you’re brand new as an owner-operator or if you’ve been in the shipping and logistics field for many years, you no doubt know exactly how important it is to control your costs as much as possible.

Sometimes, the money you spend in the operation of your business is beyond your control – you can’t help the expense of that unfortunate unplanned maintenance on your truck, for example. But other times, you do have options, especially when it comes to the amount you’ll pay for fuel.

There are several fuel cards that owner-operators in particular should absolutely be looking into to help maximize their income in 2025.

What are Fuel Cards?

Fuel cards, as the name implies, are a type of payment that is used to purchase fuel (along with other vehicle-related accessories from the same establishment). Although personal users can buy fuel cards, they are often used by truckers and other professionals in logistics to help pay for expenses.

Types of Fuel Cards

As a logistics professional, there are a few different types of fuel cards to choose from depending on your needs. They include but are not limited to ones like:

Cost-Plus

Here, the price that you pay for fuel is determined by A) the base cost of fuel at the station you’re at, and B) an additional fixed markup added. If prices drop, you could pay less for fuel – but prices do fluctuate based on factors like the market.

Retail-Minus

With this type of fuel card, your provider works with a network of gas stations to negotiate what is essentially a discount. The “minus” is the amount you take off whatever the posted price is at the pump – that’s the amount you pay for gas. The downside is that if gas prices are already low, the discount might not be quite as significant.

8 Fuel Cards to Consider for 2025

When it comes to fuel cards, you are certainly not without your options. Here are the ones you should consider to help maximize your spending in 2025 and beyond.

Apex Fuel Card

This is one of the more popular fuel cards out there for truckers in particular because it is accepted at gas stations across the United States. The discounts it offers are known for being very competitive, too.

DAT One Fuel Card

If you’re a business owner with a fleet looking to help simplify fuel management across the board, the DAT One Fuel Card was designed with this in mind. It offers real-time pricing data and more.

Fuelman Deep Saver

This is a type of fuel card that was designed to help small and mid-sized businesses in particular.

Comdata

Comdata provides fuel cards to not only businesses that run large fleets but owner-operators as well. It is looked at very favorably among these demographics.

ExxonMobil BusinessPro

As the name implies, this is a fuel card that is designed to offer savings at both Exxon and Mobil stations across the country. Between the two, you’ll find the coverage quite significant.

Truckers Advantage Fuel Card

This is a type of fuel card intended for not just owner-operators, but small trucking businesses as well. It’s known for being easy to maintain, which is especially useful if you’re trying to get your enterprise off the ground.

Shell Fleet Navigator

This is a type of fuel card that is designed to offer very competitive discounts at Shell stations across the country. If you happen to be based out of an area with a lot of Shell stations, it’s certainly something you’ll want to look into.

Love’s Express

If you frequently shop at Love’s Travel Stops, you’ll know that there are always gas stations attached to them. The Love’s Express is a fuel card designed to offer discounts at those gas stations in particular.

How Do Fuel Cards Help Owner Operators Save Money?

Obviously, the number one way that fuel cards help owner-operators save money is through discounts on the price of gas. Depending on the time of year and the market conditions, the right fuel card could save you hundreds of dollars every time you go to the pump.

They prove invaluable in a lot of other ways, too – especially when it comes to how you run your business.

Simple Accounting

Especially if you’re new to the trucking industry, you understand just how complicated accounting can quickly become. Fuel cards help simplify at least this aspect of accounting by allowing you to easily track the amount of money you’re spending on gas in real-time.

Enhanced Security

Rather than carry cash or use a personal credit or debit card for gas purchases, a fuel card offers sophisticated protection against unauthorized transactions. At the very least, it’s a way to help mitigate the risk of fraud or other unwanted purchases, which will come in handy as you travel the country.

Additional Discounts

Sometimes, a fuel card will offer exclusive discounts on other items that go beyond simply giving you money off the price of gas. This can be a great way to save even more as an owner-operator than you otherwise would.

We Simplify Freight Billing

At Advanced Commercial Capital, we pride ourselves on our ability to simplify freight billing for owner-operators and others in the logistics field as much as possible. We do this in a number of ways, with freight factoring being chief among them.

With freight factoring, you give us your unpaid invoices, and we’ll give you most of the balance the same day. We’ll keep a small percentage as a pee, and work on collecting the full amount from the client. That way, you can preserve your cash flow and rest easy knowing that you’re being paid for a job well done.

If you’d like to find out more information about the best fuel cards for owner-operators to watch out for in 2025, or if you have any additional questions that you’d like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

What is hot shot trucking? On the surface, it may seem like a fairly straightforward situation involving what is essentially expedited shipping. In reality, it’s slightly more complicated than you think and if you’re considering taking your career in this direction, there are a few basic things you’ll want to keep in mind.

How Does Hot Shot Trucking Work?

Hot shot trucking is a term used to describe the transportation of smaller loads, typically under 10,000 pounds in weight. These are usually loads that are time-sensitive, meaning that fast delivery is of paramount importance to clients.

What are Hot Shot Loads?

From a technical perspective, there is a lot of overlap between hot shot loads and less-than-truckload loads, otherwise called LTL loads for short. These get sent directly to their destination, rather than going through some type of centralized hub or terminal as would otherwise be common. These, too, are usually delivered with fast turnaround times and are inherently flexible – thus underlining the appeal to many companies.

Small machinery, parts, and other types of construction equipment would be a good example of a hot shot load. The same would be true of certain types of agricultural supplies, manufacturing components, and even oilfield equipment. If something breaks down in a manufacturing environment, those replacement parts need to get delivered quickly because literally every minute that machine isn’t working is a minute the business is losing money. But at the same time, they can’t wait for a traditional load – which is where hot shot loads come in handy.

The Hot Shot Load Payment Structure

The actual hotshot load payment structure will vary depending on the exact organization you’re talking about.

Because of the time-sensitive nature of what is taking place, sometimes they’re paid by the load. The rate will likely depend on the final weight and size of the load, as well as how complicated the delivery job is.

Some organizations that specialize in hot shot loads charge a flat rate that is calculated based on average distance and timing. Some charge per mile, and some charge depending on how long it will take that load to be delivered.

Again – it really varies depending on the provider you’re talking about, which is why you want to make sure you have all the facts in order before choosing a logistics partner to go with.

Hot Shot Trucking vs Expedited Shipping

At this point, you may be wondering how hotshot trucking is anything different from the expedited shipping procedures that many of us are used to. Keep in mind that hot-shot trucking is typically focused on smaller shipments that are urgent in nature. Expedited shipping, on the other hand, just guarantees that delivery will be “faster than normal.” This can still involve air transport or larger freight items, so long as the load gets to where it needs to be at the moment it was promised.

Best Hot Shot Trucks & Trailers

Hot shot trucking depends on vehicles that can deliver smaller loads quickly – meaning that there are a few different types of trucks and trailers that are ideal for such a demand.

Class 3

These trucks typically range from 10,000 to 14,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight.

Class 4

Class 4 kicks things up a notch, extending the aforementioned range from 14,000 to 16,000 pounds.

Class 5

Class 5 trucks would have a gross vehicle weight of between 16,000 and 19,500 pounds. They can handle larger loads but still fall firmly under the purview of hotshot trucking.

Gooseneck Trailers

Gooseneck trailers are often a popular choice because they have stability when hauling heavier loads, but better weight distribution in most circumstances.

Lowboy Trailers

Lowboy trailers, as the term implies, have a lower deck for safer transportation. Within the context of hot shot trucking, they’re typically used to carry loads that are larger or even taller but that still need to be delivered urgently and flexibly.

Bumper Pull Trailers

These are arguably the most standard type of trailer out there. They connect directly to a truck using a hitch on the rear bumper.

Tilt Deck Trailers

Tilt deck trailers are those that have been specially designed to tilt to a low angle. This makes loading and unloading much easier, making the entire trailer better for certain types of equipment. Remember that when things need to be delivered as quickly as possible, getting those items on and off the truck must happen fast, too.

Pros & Cons of Hot Shot Trucking

As is true with all types of trucking, hot shot trucking is not for every situation. Only by carefully considering both the advantages and the potential disadvantages will you be able to decide if it is a direction you want to go in.

Pros

By design, the biggest benefit that hot shot trucking brings with it is one of flexibility and independence. If you’re a hot shot trucker, you set your own schedule and often have more than enough work to fill your day. It’s a fast-paced field (again, by its nature) and is always in high demand.

You get to work with a wide variety of loads, which also leads to a potentially higher profit potential – especially when you’re just starting your career. Because of the time-sensitive nature of these shipments, you typically get to charge a rush fee. This can vary depending on the route and the type of equipment you’re hauling.

Cons

The biggest potential disadvantage of hot shot trucking, especially for those newer to the profession, has to do with the high operating costs that come with it. You have to consider fuel, vehicle maintenance, and insurance – all of which can add up quickly, even though you’re operating a smaller truck.

To make any type of real money in hotshot trucking, you also have to work long hours. This can include nights and weekends because you never know A) when an urgent shipment is going to occur, and B) how long you’ll have to wait for the next one if you turn the current one down.

Hot shot trucking is also known for being a field with heavy competition, largely due to the low barrier of entry. These are all things that should be considered moving forward.

Hot Shot Trucking FAQs

How do hot shot truckers get paid faster for their loads?

Hot shot truckers often face delayed payments from brokers and shippers, sometimes waiting 30–60 days. Freight factoring solves this by advancing cash on your invoices—so you can get paid within 24 hours instead of waiting weeks.

Is hot shot trucking profitable for owner-operators?

It can be, especially due to the ability to charge premium rates for time-sensitive loads. However, profitability depends on managing expenses like fuel, maintenance, and insurance. Consistent cash flow is key—which is why many hot shot drivers use factoring to stabilize income.

What makes hot shot trucking different from traditional freight?

Hot shot trucking focuses on smaller, urgent loads that are delivered directly without going through terminals. This allows for faster turnaround times and more flexibility compared to standard freight shipping.

Do I need a factoring company if I’m just starting hot shot trucking?

Starting out often means limited cash reserves. A factoring company can help you cover upfront costs like fuel and maintenance while you’re waiting on payments—making it easier to grow without taking on debt.

How do I choose the right factoring company for my trucking business?

Look for a company that understands trucking, doesn’t lock you into long-term contracts, and offers transparent pricing. The right partner should simplify your billing process and help you stay focused on running loads—not chasing payments.

We Simplify Freight Billing

At Advanced Commercial Capital, we understand hot-shot trucking and want nothing more than to help you succeed. We simplify freight billing so that you can worry less about the billing process itself and focus more on having the best experience possible. If you’d like to find out more information about hot shot trucking, or if you have any additional questions you’d like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact the Advanced Commercial Capital team today.

What is a Carrier Packet?

At its core, a carrier packet is a collection of documents that any freight broker requires from a carrier BEFORE they can begin transporting freight. Essentially, it helps make sure that every variable is accounted for. Freight can’t begin its journey if there are still lingering questions about compliance or regulatory standards, for example. Therefore, a carrier packet confirms elements like these, along with the finer details of the entire business relationship, so everyone is on the same page before work begins in earnest.

What is Included in a Carrier Packet?

While the actual specifics of a carrier packet will vary depending on the entities that you’re talking about, a proper carrier packet will have several critical documents. These include but are certainly not limited to ones like the following:

New Carrier Information

This includes what is essentially an overview of the carrier in question, including elements like their name, address, contact information, and MC (motor carrier) number.

Broker-Carrier Agreement

This is a legally binding document that goes into more detail about the terms and conditions of the relationship between the broker and the carrier. This helps all parties understand things like liability, responsibilities, and other pressing matters.

Notice of Assignment

A notice of assignment is one that makes it clear to all parties that the broker has the authority to assign the freight in question to the carrier. Essentially, it’s a way to prevent any arguments that may occur over who is responsible for what.

W-9 Form

This is a document used for income tax-related purposes. It will have the carrier’s Taxpayer Identification Number, otherwise known as their TIN for short. It is mandatory for complying with IRS regulations.

Safety Rating

As a part of any proper carrier packet, the carrier will need to provide their safety rating. This is something that is assigned by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, otherwise known as the FMCSA for short. It’s a rating that reflects their overall safety performance and history as an organization, which can be the actionable information that brokers need to properly assess risk on their own terms.

Driver’s License

Whenever you’re talking about a situation like freight transportation, you obviously need to make sure that everyone involved is legally allowed to be on the road in the first place. This is why it’s important that any carrier packet also has a copy of the driver’s license for any and all drivers who will be operating the vehicles. If the vehicle transporting the freight requires any special skills or licenses to safely operate, this is also information that will be noted in this section.

Broker Bond

A broker bond is a critical document that shows the carrier has the financial backing needed to fulfill their obligations, essentially. It helps protect the broker from any potential losses that would happen if the carrier fails to complete a load or ends up defaulting on a payment.

If a carrier is chosen to transport a load and only later do you find out they were insolvent and didn’t have the resources to do so, that’s more than just a minor inconvenience. In this scenario, the broker would incur significant financial losses and reputational damage as well. A broker bond is one of the things that helps prevent that type of situation from happening.

Invoicing Procedures

In freight transportation, everyone needs to get paid, and it is in the best interests of all parties to make sure that happens as quickly and as smoothly as possible. Invoicing procedures are guidelines designed to guarantee precisely that, including information about how invoices should be submitted, what payment timelines exist, and any specific documents that will be required alongside the invoice to help things go as quickly as possible.

Certificate of Insurance (COI)

Also known as a COI for short, a Certificate of Insurance is exactly what it sounds like – proof that the carrier has all necessary insurance coverage for the task at hand. This goes a long way towards protecting both the broker and the shipper from anything that could happen during transportation, be it due to negligence or something totally unforeseen and beyond anyone’s control.

Certificate of Authority (COA)

Also commonly referred to as a COA for short, a Certificate of Authority is a document that shows a carrier is legally allowed to operate as a freight carrier. Again, this is a big part of how proof of compliance with federal and state regulations is established.

Why are Carrier Packets Important in Trucking?

Freight transportation in general involves an incredible amount of risk for all parties. Carrier packets are one of the biggest ways to help mitigate that risk as much as possible, especially in terms of compliance with various regulations. Well-designed carrier packets also help to establish trust, streamline operations, and more – creating a mutually beneficial situation for all parties.

How To Create a Carrier Packet & Standout from the Crowd

When putting together a carrier packet to stand out from a crowd, the number one thing you can do is be comprehensive and organized. Make sure that all necessary documents are included and that nothing is overlooked. Make sure everything is accurate, and your finished product should be as professional as possible. You should also be ready to provide any additional information as requested.

How Often Should You Update Your Carrier Packet?

Generally speaking, your carrier packet should be updated whenever there are any significant changes in not only regulations and compliance but also your business practices as well. If you no longer accept certain types of roles or are unwilling to fulfill certain duties in the relationship, that needs to be reflected.

It seems like a bit of a cop-out to say “Your carrier packet should be updated whenever updates are necessary,” but that’s largely a rule of thumb to live by. If your company name changes, you need to update your carrier packet. When you get new drivers, you need to update your carrier packet. If compliance changes, and you’ve had to make significant adjustments to show that you’re not in violation, you need to update your carrier packet.

Your carrier packet should always be updated and current to make sure that everyone has the most complete set of documents to work from moving forward.

If you’d like to find out more information about the important role that carrier packets play in the world of freight transportation, or if you have any additional questions that you’d like to go over with someone in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact the team at Advanced Commercial Capital today.

What is a CDL?

Also commonly referred to as a Commercial Driver’s License, a CDL is a type of specialized license that you need to operate any type of large commercial vehicle. This includes not only most large trucks, but also buses, any vehicle that carries hazardous materials, and more.

How Many Types of CDLs Are There?

The purpose of a CDL is to make sure that the driver has the specialized knowledge needed to safely operate the vehicle in question. There are a lot of different types of vehicles that require special skills out there – meaning that there is no “one size fits all” approach to getting your CDL.

Today, there are three main classes to choose from depending on your needs – Class A, Class B, and Class C.

What is a Class A CDL License?

If the vehicle that you’re trying to operate is under 26,000 pounds or won’t be towing anything over 10,000 pounds, you need a Class A CDL license.

How to Obtain a Class A CDL

To obtain a Class A CDL, you’ll first need to make sure that you’re at least 18 years old or are 21 if you’re planning on driving between states. You’ll have to pass a knowledge test that covers things like road signs and best practices, and you’ll have to go through a training program. After passing a skills test, you’ll be able to obtain your Class A CDL.

Salary Outlook for Class A Drivers

While the salary outlook for truck drivers in particular will vary wildly depending on what company you’re working for, where in the country you live, and other factors, truck drivers with a Class A CDL can typically expect to make between $45,000 and $75,000 per year.

What is a Class B CDL?

This is a type of CDL that allows drivers to operate vehicles that weigh 26,000 pounds or more, provided that they’re not towing anything heavier than 10,000 pounds.

How to Obtain a Class B CDL

The process for obtaining your Class B CDL is similar to that of a Class A CDL, with a few key exceptions. All the skills you need will be specific to Class B vehicles, so you can expect both the knowledge test and the training to be geared more towards that direction. Once you successfully pass your driving test while safely operating a Class B vehicle, you’ll be able to apply for your Class B CDL.

Salary Outlook for Class B Drivers

Again, this is something that will vary wildly depending on where you live, what type of vehicle you’re operating, and even how much driving you’ll be doing regularly. Typically, you can make between $35,000 and $60,000 per year as a Class B driver.

What is a Class C CDL?

This is a special type of CDL that allows drivers to have more than 16 passengers at a time, including themselves. This is also the type of CDL you’ll need if you’re going to be transporting hazardous materials or if you are behind the wheel of a vehicle big enough to require placarding.

How to Obtain a Class C CDL

As you would expect, obtaining your Class C CDL will require you to go through specific courses and pass a written test that has been customized for Class C regulations. Once you have the necessary training under your belt, you’ll be able to take that skills test. Once you pass, you can finalize your CDL application and submit it at any DMV in your area – the same as you can with the other types of licenses.

Salary Outlook for Class C Drivers

Because you’re specifically talking about transporting passengers, the salary outlook for Class C drivers is going to fluctuate depending on the industry you’re operating in. Keep in mind that school bus drivers or shuttle service operators need a Class C CDL to operate, too. Because of that, you can usually expect to make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year, once all other variables are accounted for.

What Are CDL Endorsements?

Again, not all commercial vehicles are created in quite the same way, and sometimes to get a job, you’ll need to show that you have additional qualifications beyond what a simple CDL license will provide.

For those situations, you have endorsements, which show that you can operate specific types of vehicles or carry certain types of loads. CDL endorsements can include but are not limited to ones like T, which is used for double or triple trailers, and H, which is used for hazardous materials. The N endorsement is also applicable to tank-based vehicles.

What Are CDL Restrictions?

Based on your skill as a driver or the type of vehicle you have experience working with, you could also find certain restrictions placed on your vehicle. A K restriction means that you’re only able to operate within a specific state, for example. You can’t cross state lines at all, which will limit the types of jobs you can take. An L restriction means that you’re not able to operate vehicles that have air brakes.

What is The Difference Between a CDL & CLP?

A Commercial Learner’s Permit, otherwise known as a CLP for short, means that you’re able to operate a commercial vehicle only under the supervision of someone who actually has a CDL. It’s not too dissimilar to a learner’s permit for a traditional driver’s license in that way.

How Long Does it Take to Get a CDL?

The amount of time it will take you to get your CDL will vary depending on several factors, including the state where you live and the amount of training you need to go through. Usually, people can get theirs in a period of a few weeks to several months, at which point they can start applying for jobs.

How Long Does it Take to Get a CLP?

If you want to get a CLP, on the other hand, know that this is a relatively straightforward process. In most situations, you’ll be able to get yours in a few days or even a week or more. Ultimately, it will come down to the state, but part of the point is to get you on the road as soon as possible.

If you’d like to find out more information about the different types of CDLs that are out there and how they might fall into your own career goals, or if you’d just like to speak about your long-term prospects with a team of professionals in a bit more detail, please don’t hesitate to contact the Advanced Commercial Capital team today.