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Partners in Business
The leading business training program for owner-operators.
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Overdrive Extra
Be wary of third-party trucking dispatch services
Necessary knowledge for independent owner-operators in today’s world includes knowing how not to put yourself in a position to be victimized by a bad actor. Using an unregulated, uninsured dispatch service could put you at that very kind of risk.
January 10, 2025
Regulations
Snow squall on a dark Alaskan highway leads to brutal tractor-trailer collision. Preventable?
Trucker John Doe felt he couldn't have anticipated the jackknifed flatbed coming over a blind hill during a nighttime snow squall, yet his safety director issued a preventable-accident warning after he hit the trailer. He appealed the judgment ...
January 3, 2025
Finish Line
Preventive health maintenance to ensure you cross the trucking finish line
Caring for your body is like caring for your truck in that both involve assessing products and services. The informed consumer knows how to get value and efficacy for short- and long-term maintenance of your body itself.
January 1, 2025
Finish Line
Saving, investing for yourself and a well-deserved retirement
Don't expect to rely on proceeds from the sale of your truck and/or the business itself -- the habit of saving for personal goals for retirement will yield big dividends over time.
January 1, 2025
Finish Line
Qualified retirement plans: Know your options to maximize returns
With qualified retirement accounts, you don’t pay a penny in taxes on the earnings from investments until you withdraw money. Taxes are thus delayed to when you're in a lower tax bracket (ideally). Many variations exist, however. Know your options.
January 1, 2025
Finish Line
Owner-op resources: State and other trucking associations, agencies, business information, more
Find a comprehensive contact list for state and national trucking associations, business resources, government agencies and more on this Partners in Business resource page.
January 1, 2025
Finish Line
The Partners in Business owner-operator glossary: Defining key trucking terminology
From driveshafts, drivetrains and DVIRs to sailboat fuel, swampers and the split sleeper berth, here find defined a variety of trucking terms and commonly used slang and acronyms.
January 1, 2025
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: Motor carrier authority brings risks, rewards
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
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
Keep an open mind -- eyes and ears, too -- for new customer opportunities
As noted in prior parts of this section of the guide to owner-operator business, the closer you can get to your customer the better, when hauling with authority. Find ways here, too, to manage distinct challenges of independence: cash flow, insurance.
January 1, 2025
Independence and Growth
Plan your trucking compliance duties, systems before going independent
Don't underestimate the cost of compliance in operations. 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 fine print in broker/direct customer agreements and contracts
Shippers and brokers are known to play certain risk-transfer contractual games with their trucking service providers' insurance. Here, detail on the risks associated with two common ones: the "additional insured" ask and "waivers of subrogation."
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
Taxes
Owner-operator tax obligations start with required truck registration
Independents are responsible for their own registrations, likewise Form 2290 payments. Leased owners may have the option of doing it themselves or letting the company they are leased to handle it. Find resources for starting with state DMVs and more here.
January 1, 2025
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