FAQs & Tips

FAQs

To lease to Minor Carriers, you can apply directly on the Owner Operators website page by clicking the Apply Now button.

We lease owner operators who have their own truck, at least 2 years OTR experience (no breaks for those two years) with or without a trailer, and wish to run totally independent, even though they are running under our MC number.

Yes, you will receive a Fleet One fuel card, you can get up to 300 gallons a day once you are under a load. Whatever you spend on fuel will be deducted from the gross cost of the load once you are paid for it.

Once you have completed your load, you scan proof of delivery (POD) and, whatever required trip paperwork we receive by Noon on Tuesday, you will be paid for on Friday. Payday is every Friday.

Computing and filing your fuel taxes, maintaining your drug program, maintaining all your logs and required DOT files. Our Load Attendants will take care of the emailing and paperwork for all the loads that you book. We also handle all the billing and collecting from your brokers and shippers. All this, in addition to paying you each Friday for all loads turned in by Noon each Tuesday and providing the Authority, is what we do for our 10% fee.

Associated with operating your equipment. For example, it is necessary that you have your own base plates. You will also assume all responsibility for maintenance and repairs of your equipment. We believe it is essential that you set finances aside for those unexpected repairs and maintenance costs.
Bobtail and Physical Damage Insurance can be provided by our insurance partners First Guard Insurance by contacting the customer service dept. at 800-995-4827.

Initial lease expenses and other expenses for the operation of your equipment. Below is a list of included expenses:

  • Initial Expenses (approximately $400 start-up cost plus $2,600 escrow)
  • IFTA decals and KY permits
  • Pre-employment drug test
  • Clearinghouse query
  • Drug program
  • Carrier’s lettering (company name & DOT #s)
  • Escrow account
 

The initial lease expenses will be deducted from your settlements during the first 14 weeks with Minor Carriers. Here is an overview of how this is handled: during your 1st week leased with us, we will deduct $400 to cover the MVR, PSP, IFTA decals, permits, carrier’s lettering, clearinghouse query, ELD installation, drug testing and enrolling into the drug program. Then, weeks 2nd through 14 (13 weeks total), we will deduct $200 per week to build your $2600 escrow account.

Quarterly
Fuel taxes-cost varies

Yearly
IFTA decals and KY permits
Drug program

We do not transport the following:

Money (both coins and paper money)
Anything with monetary value; i.e. lottery tickets, stamps, etc.
Fine Art
Household goods
Livestock or poultry
Any living thing
Hazmat
Liquor
Tobacco Products
Furs or fur-trimmed garments
Eggs
Precious stones and precious metals**
Automobiles

No, it is IMPERATIVE that you do NOT disconnect from your trailer at any time while loaded.

No, we do not allow our owner operators to receive advances from the brokers; only WE are authorized to provide advances to you. If an advance is requested and/or received from a broker, Minor Carriers will charge you 10% for the advance received.

Whether or not you decide to turn your paperwork in weekly or bi-weekly, cargo and liability insurance is charged weekly. Cargo and liability insurance is $300 per week, so if you turn your paperwork in to our office every 2 weeks, there will be 2 weeks of insurance deducted from your settlement, which is $600.

Occupational Accident Insurance is not required currently.

Yes, A referral bonus of $500 will be paid to any driver who refers an Owner Operator to Minor Carriers that leases on and completes 3 months.

Minor Carriers takes customer service very seriously. For this reason, any disrespect, rude behavior or foul language towards brokers, shippers, receivers, and our office staff could be grounds for immediate termination.

Dropping a load or refusing to pick up a load after it has been confirmed is not excusable. Under extreme circumstances, such as an accident or mechanical breakdown, contact your broker first, then Minor Carriers to notify us and arrange alternate plans for the load to be transported.
Falsifying your logs can result in immediate termination! To maintain accurate logs, you MUST report any and all stops lasting more than 8 minutes, including fuel stops. When comparing your logs to our reports, the log time must be within 30 minutes and the logged miles must be within 50 miles to be considered accurate.

Your paperwork MUST be sent in by Noon each Tuesday for you to be paid Friday, 3 days later. If your paperwork is sent later than Noon Tuesday, you will be paid for those loads on the following Friday, 10 days later.

Tips

Plan out your route before your trip begins; consider when and where you will stop for breaks and to purchase fuel. Also, calculate the estimated fuel cost, toll roads, pallet exchange, special permits, escort fees and lumper fees. Many of these are negotiable! The ability to negotiate is essential in order to ensure you are profitable.

A laptop and Internet service is not required, but you will find it to be extremely useful when searching for loads. If you are not familiar with load boards and how they work, it may be a good idea to check them out. Many load boards are free of charge, while others require membership fees, but none of them will prove to be handy if you aren’t constantly watching them!

Finding your own freight is a large responsibility; please think this over seriously. We encourage our owner operators to contact us with any questions or when they find themselves in areas of the trucking business where they may be unsure. We will assist you in any way possible to ensure your profitability.