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7 Steps to Starting a Successful Trucking Company

Start a Successful Trucking Company

Have you ever thought about starting your own trucking business? Trucking companies and their hard-working drivers are essential to keeping the economy moving, and the demand for this industry remains strong. Starting your own business gives you the chance to take charge of your future, become your own boss, and create a dependable source of income.

Although the process might seem overwhelming at first, it doesn’t have to be. From setting your goals to managing expenses, knowing what to expect will help you move forward with confidence.

The trucking industry is steady and full of long-term potential. With the right business plan, you can build a career that offers not just financial stability, but also the freedom to shape your own future. By taking the first step today, you’ll be on your way to creating a successful and independent trucking business!

7 Steps to Start a Successful Trucking Company
Start with a Plan: Write a Trucking Business Plan

Get started with a free guide that helps you:

  • Define your services and goals
  • Identify who to hire
  • Project costs, expenses, and profits
  • And more!

Get Your Free Guide

Step 1: Register Your Company and Get Trucking Authority

To operate legally, you’ll need to:

  • Register your business and secure a USDOT and MC Number from the FMCSA.
  • Obtain insurance, file required registrations, and acquire equipment

This process can be complex, but services like the Apex Startup Program simplify it by handling registrations, entity formation, and more.

Step 2: Find Loads to Haul

Online load boards are a great way to find loads. Platforms like NextLOAD.com offer free access to loads, while other boards may require a subscription. Load boards not only help you secure freight but also build relationships with brokers and shippers. Over time, you can establish direct customer connections, creating regular lanes and stable income.

Step 3: Check Credit Before Hauling

Before hauling a load, always check your customers’ credit to ensure they’re reputable and will pay on time. Subscriptions for credit checks can be costly, so it’s better to focus on loads that pay well per mile rather than those that pay quickly. If you factor with Apex Capital, you get unlimited free credit checks to help you make smart business decisions.

Step 4: Track Expenses

It’s important to know your trucking company’s business expenses. Use a profit and loss statement or bookkeeping software to track costs like:

  • Insurance payments
  • Truck maintenance and repairs
  • Truck and trailer financing
  • Fuel
  • Employee and driver wages
  • Other operational costs

By keeping all your expenses in one place, these tools can help you identify tax deductions, save money, and understand exactly how much it costs to run your business.

Step 5: Save Money on Fuel

Fuel is a big part of a trucking company’s variable operating expenses. Getting a fuel card for trucking companies can help you manage your fuel purchases and save money at the pump. When you use a fuel card, like the Apex Fuel Card, you always get the cash price or better at thousands of truck stops. Using a fuel card also gives you other benefits like fuel management tools, IFTA reporting information, fuel theft protection, and more.

Step 6: Manage Cash Flow

After hauling a load, trucking companies often wait 30, 60, or even 90 days to get paid, which can put a strain on cash flow. Without steady cash flow or a line of credit from a bank, it can be difficult to keep your trucks running. Factoring provides a solution by offering immediate cash flow. A factoring company buys your freight bills and gives you cash up front, so you don’t have to wait for payments. This allows you to quickly access funds for expenses such as insurance, payroll, repairs, fuel, and more.

Step 7: Get Back-Office Help

As a small carrier or owner-operator starting a trucking company, managing paperwork and following up on payments can take up a lot of time. Partnering with a trusted service to handle billing and collections can simplify these tasks, so you can focus on running your business. One of the most effective ways to do this is by working with a factoring company. Factoring companies not only advance payments but also manage invoicing and collections. Outsourcing these tasks saves time and helps your business grow.

Step 2: Find Loads to Haul

Online load boards are a great way to find loads. Platforms like NextLOAD.com offer free access to loads, while other boards may require a subscription. Load boards not only help you secure freight but also build relationships with brokers and shippers. Over time, you can establish direct customer connections, creating regular lanes and stable income.

Step 4: Track Expenses

It’s important to know your trucking company’s business expenses. Use a profit and loss statement or bookkeeping software to track costs like:

  • Insurance payments
  • Truck maintenance and repairs
  • Truck and trailer financing
  • Fuel
  • Employee and driver wages
  • Other operational costs

By keeping all your expenses in one place, these tools can help you identify tax deductions, save money, and understand exactly how much it costs to run your business.

Step 6: Manage Cash Flow

After hauling a load, trucking companies often wait 30, 60, or even 90 days to get paid, which can put a strain on cash flow. Without steady cash flow or a line of credit from a bank, it can be difficult to keep your trucks running. Factoring provides a solution by offering immediate cash flow. A factoring company buys your freight bills and gives you cash up front, so you don’t have to wait for payments. This allows you to quickly access funds for expenses such as insurance, payroll, repairs, fuel, and more.

Step 7: Get Back-Office Help

As a small carrier or owner-operator starting a trucking company, managing paperwork and following up on payments can take up a lot of time. Partnering with a trusted service to handle billing and collections can simplify these tasks, so you can focus on running your business. One of the most effective ways to do this is by working with a factoring company. Factoring companies not only advance payments but also manage invoicing and collections. Outsourcing these tasks saves time and helps your business grow.

Your Path to Success

These seven steps can help you build a solid foundation for your trucking company. Many successful carriers start with just a single truck and a dream. With dedication, hard work, and the right resources such as load boards, fuel cards, and factoring services, you can build a successful business.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re ready to start your trucking company, the Apex Startup Program is here to help.

From forming your business to offering tools like factoring and fuel cards, we’ll set you up for success.

Get Started Today!

Resources to Learn More about Starting a Trucking Company

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How Much Will it Cost?

Wondering how much it’s going to cost to start a trucking company? Learn more about the initial costs and ongoing expenses to plan for as you get your trucking business started.

Read about Costs to Start a Trucking Company

Choose a Name

Choosing a name for your trucking company can be a little more complicated than it seems. Here are some ideas and requirements for trucking company names.

Choose a Trucking Company Name

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After You Get Started

Running your trucking company and becoming successful has its own set of challenges. At Apex, we care about helping small businesses grow so we’ve compiled the best tips for trucking business owners.

Read Trucking Business Tips