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Independence and Growth
Independence and Growth
Getting your own authority: Basics of filing, insurance and avoiding common mistakes
For an owner-operator intending to secure freight from brokers or direct customers independent of another trucking company, motor carrier authority is a must. Follow these steps to obtain authority and avoid common application errors.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Going independent: Building business to sustain with motor carrier authority
Many owners decline to pursue authority because they realize they are unprepared for the level of responsibility necessary for success. Preparation can help, and is far more important to making the jump than any shift in the wider economy.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Master the fine art of negotiation: Resist freight-rates capitulation in today's go-go-go spot markets
Don’t let freight brokers rush your decision-making. As an owner-operator, you're the very center of any freight move. Claim that home field advantage for more successful negotiation, and arm yourself with as much information as you can before the conversations start.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Overdrive's Load Profit Analyzer: How to use to assess rates, costs
This video tutorial walks owner-operators through simple steps that will help unlock insights to drive the business forward profitably, whether analyzing load offers on the front end or holding yourself accountable after the run's in the bag.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
What are your rights, recourse options when a broker doesn’t pay?
Clearly, nonpayment has been an issue for plenty owner-operators in Overdrive‘s audience over the years. In response to polling, three in four reported taking some recourse in the event of nonpayment. Here, details on bond claims, finer points, and more.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Beware of double brokers: Getting involved with one can be a huge knock on credibility
Though not new by any stretch, the problem of double brokering has exploded in recent years, and owner-operators are the ones left unpaid at the end of the day as a result. Double brokering can show up in many forms and with different results.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Getting closer to the customer: Freight relationships beyond broker boards
The closer you can get to your customer the better when hauling with authority. Marketing yourself can help get you there, but it's about much more than just well-designed logos and the like. Here, too, ways to manage distinct challenges of independence -- cash flow, insurance -- and how so-called "power only" opportunities might help.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Do-or-die preps for the New Entrant audit, required for all new carriers
Don't underestimate the cost of compliance in trucking operations with authority. Here, do-or-die necessities you'll need in place before the New Entrant audit. Likewise: skinny on drug and alcohol testing requirements, accounting and bookkeeping for miles/fuel taxes and more.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Be wary of carrier traps in broker/customer agreements and contracts: Additional insured, offsetting, more
Shippers and brokers are known to play risk-transfer contractual games with their trucking service providers' insurance. Here, detail on the risks associated with three common ones: the "additional insured" ask,"waivers of subrogation," and "offsetting" or "setoff" language.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Insurance to defend against the downhill threat of post-crash litigation
There's plenty for owner-operators and small fleets, especially those with authority, to learn from large carriers that have been targeted in questionable litigation. Make smart choices about where to spend your money to ward off risk.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Small fleet expansion requires investment in people, systems, self-education
The long-term goal of many independent owner-operators with their own authority is to expand beyond one truck. Often, the prime focus is to raise capital to invest in additional trucks, yet that overlooks the utmost importance of team-building.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
How to get access to military freight
A primer for owner-operators and small carriers on doing business direct with the military -- or the 3PL contractor controlling a substantial portion of general military freight -- to haul DOD loads.
January 1, 2025
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Overdrive Extra
The diesel price run-up hasn't obliterated owner-ops' recent profit gains -- yet ...
But it's getting very close. Backstopping profits will be a matter of smart negotiating if you're dealing with brokers. 2025 Small Fleet Champ Wes Oberman keeps a close eye on fuel with a tool that gives him and leased owners reliable daily forecasts for the next day's prices.
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