If you’re someone who likes to spend time traveling while being out on the open road, have you ever thought about becoming a professional truck driver? There several benefits that come with taking this kind of position. For one thing, you don’t need any kind of previous experience in order to apply. Also, once you are hired, you are able to receive top-notch affordable training that can give you a high-income earning potential. In fact, many owner-operators factor freight bills in order to pay for the upfront costs involved in operating a truck.
That’s not to say that there aren’t some business and operational expenses that truck drivers are expected to pay. If you’re curious to know about what some of those are, we’ve got a list of five main ones for you to check out below:
You will need money to lease your truck. Although most truck drivers get their start working for a trucking company, there are quite a few of them who have the dream of owning their own truck. One way that they can do that is by signing up for a lease-to-own trucking program. One of the more popular ones is JB Hunt. With approved credit, you will not be required to put any money down. Just keep in mind that most leases are anywhere from 12-36 months and your payments will be expected to be completed by the end of your lease.
You will need insurance. Something that you’re definitely going to need in order to work as a truck driver is insurance. Based on the kind of driving that you’ll be doing, there are several kinds of insurance that you can get: commercial auto liability, motor truck cargo insurance and physical damage coverage are just a few of them. You’ll also need some health insurance too. In order to figure out the kind of coverage that will be best for you, it’s best to speak with an insurance agent who specializes in trucking insurance. Progressive is one company with agents who can assist you.
You will need to pay for fuel (and some maintenance). Unless you work for an all-expenses covered kind of company, you’re going to have to budget in fuel for your trips. Being that most trucks use diesel fuel, it could cost anywhere from $500-1,000 to fill up each time. That’s definitely something that you should factor into your weekly trucking expenses. Fuel cards from freight factoring companies are great options that many people use to save on fuel.
You will need your cell phone and internet. Aside from the fact that you need your cell phone for safety purposes, it can sometimes be a bit lonely when you’re riding for hours and hours on the highway. That’s why you need a cell phone with impeccable service. It’s also a smart idea to get an internet connection on your truck too. That way, you can check emails and surf the internet on your rest stops.
You will need certain supplies. A good trucker always has plenty of supplies. Some of those items include a truck refrigerator, a CB radio and even a satellite television. Sure, these are all out of pocket costs but they will make your travels so much easier. For more information on where you can get all of the truck supplies that you’ll need, visit 12Volt-Travel.com and put “truck supplies” in the search field. For more information on how to get the perfect trucking job, visit TruckerClassifieds.com.