Being an owner operator is a great way to be in control of your own destiny. However, it's not easy. You have to worry about taxes and insurance and fuel costs, as well as all the other costs of running a small business. And then there are all those hours behind the wheel! Why not just drive someone else's truck instead? You'll still reap most of the benefits without having to deal with all this extra work.
Get a good truck.
Once you've decided to become an independent truck driver, the next thing to do is get a good truck. The best way to do this is by buying a well-maintained and reliable vehicle that fits your budget. You should also look for a truck with good fuel efficiency so that it will save you money on gas as well as be easier on the environment. Other factors include:
- Ease of driving -- some vehicles are easier than others; if you're not used to driving trucks, this could make all the difference between success and failure!
- Parkability -- there are certain models which are easier than others when it comes out comes time park them (and remember how much space they take up!). Don't forget about how easy or difficult it might be when trying reverse into tight spaces either! This can mean life or death depending on where exactly those parking spots happen
Get the right insurance.
It's a must, but it can be expensive. Make sure you have the right insurance for your trucking business--you can get a quote online or in person at an independent insurance provider.
Stock up on gas cards, phone cards, and food cards.
Stock up on gas cards, phone cards, and food cards. Gas cards are used to pay for fuel. Phone cards are used to pay for long distance calls while you're on the road. Food cards act like credit cards so that you can buy meals at restaurants or stores along your route without having to carry cash with you all the time. You may think these sound like unnecessary purchases but if something goes wrong with your truck or car (and it will), then having these things in place will be invaluable when trying to get back on track quickly! You'll thank yourself later!
Know how to get out of trouble.
If you get stuck in mud, put the truck into four-wheel drive and slowly back out of the hole. If that doesn't work, try rocking your vehicle back and forth until it frees itself.
If you're stuck in snow or ice on an incline, don't spin your wheels; they'll just dig deeper into the drift. Instead use gentle acceleration to move forward while turning your steering wheel in small circles (this is called "crabbing"). If this doesn't work after a few minutes, try again with more power behind it--but don't spin your wheels! You will only make matters worse by digging yourself deeper into trouble without actually moving forward at all!
If you find yourself skidding out of control: Don't panic! Take deep breaths; keep calm; stay focused on keeping control over your vehicle's direction (which means steering straight ahead). This will help prevent any further loss of traction as well as keep both hands firmly on top of each other where they belong during these potentially dangerous moments when things could go wrong very quickly if not handled correctly right away before anything bad happens down there where nobody else can see them happening either...
Make friends with other truckers and learn from them.
When you're first starting out, it can be daunting to think about what to do. You want to be independent and make your own decisions, but also want guidance from people who have been there before. The best way to do this is by making friends with other truckers and learning from them.
- Don't be afraid of asking questions: Truckers are friendly people and will usually welcome a newbie into their group with open arms! They'll be more than happy to answer any questions you might have about driving or living on the road--and they'll give advice based on their own experiences (which may include things like "always bring an extra pair of shoes").
- Don't be afraid of making mistakes: When I started driving trucks as an 18-year-old kid with no experience behind the wheel yet tons of enthusiasm for adventure, I made many mistakes along my journey toward becoming an independent truck driver. But those early stumbles helped me learn valuable lessons that made me stronger later down the road when things got tough again later down the road when things got tough again later down the road..
Learn to be independent before you try to become an owner operator
Before you buy your own truck, take a job driving for a company. This will help you become independent and self-sufficient. You'll learn how to fix your semi truck when it breaks down, how to deal with the stress of being on the road and how to manage your money.
If you want to become an owner operator, but don't have much experience working as an employee first then here are some tips that might help:
- Take classes in truck driving schools or community colleges - these classes will teach everything from basic maintenance techniques all the way up through advanced driving skills like backing into parking spaces or changing tires at roadside rest areas (which happens often because trucks tend not to have spare tires).
- Join social clubs - there are many clubs out there specifically geared towards people who drive big rigs (and sometimes other types too). Joining one can help connect people who already know what they're doing with those who still need guidance in order to keep themselves safe while they're out there getting things done every day!
Conclusion
The best way to become an owner operator is by learning from other truckers and getting the right tools. You should also make sure that you have a good truck and the right insurance before trying to do this on your own. If you want more information about becoming an owner operator, contact us today!