Starting a trucking business with just one truck is not only possible, it’s how many successful fleets get their start. With the growing demand for freight services across the country, the trucking industry offers strong earning potential for those willing to take the leap. Whether you’re an experienced driver or entering the logistics world for the first time, understanding how to start a trucking business with one truck can set you on a path toward financial independence.
In this detailed article, you’ll learn exactly how to start a trucking business with one truck, step by step. From registering your business and obtaining the right licenses to securing insurance, choosing the right truck, and finding profitable loads, this article covers everything you need to build a solid foundation for your one-truck operation.
Why Start a Trucking Business with One Truck?
Starting a trucking business with one truck is a strategic and realistic way to enter the freight and logistics industry. Instead of overwhelming yourself with the financial and operational challenges of managing a full fleet, beginning with a single truck allows you to gain hands-on experience, control your expenses, and grow at your own pace.
Here’s why launching your business with one truck is a smart move:
#1. Lower Startup Costs
Purchasing and operating one truck significantly reduces your initial investment. You avoid the high capital required for multiple trucks, employee salaries, and large-scale maintenance. This makes it easier to fund your business through personal savings or small business loans.
#2. Manageable Overhead
Operating one truck allows you to keep your monthly expenses under control. You’ll be responsible for fewer maintenance costs, fuel expenses, and insurance premiums, making it easier to maintain profitability early on.
#3. Direct Involvement
When you start small, you’re involved in every part of the operation—from dispatching and maintenance to bookkeeping and driving (if you have a CDL). This firsthand knowledge helps you understand how the business runs and where improvements can be made.
#4. Build Relationships Gradually
Starting with one truck gives you time to develop trust and credibility with freight brokers, direct shippers, and clients. As you consistently deliver quality service, you’ll build a network that supports your long-term growth.
#5. Test the Industry Before Scaling
Running one truck helps you test the waters before making larger investments. You can identify your ideal freight lanes, discover the most profitable load types, and fine-tune your business model without risking too much upfront. In short, starting a trucking business with one truck lets you learn, earn, and scale wisely.
How To Start a Trucking Business With One Truck?
To start a trucking business with one truck, you need to create a solid business plan, register your company legally, get necessary permits, buy or lease a truck, secure insurance, find reliable freight, and keep accurate financial records for long-term success.
So let us know in detail, how to start a trucking business with one truck?
#1. Write a Solid Trucking Business Plan
A strong business plan is the foundation of any successful trucking company. It helps you set clear goals and understand your costs and opportunities before you start. Your plan should include key elements such as:
- Business Name and Structure: Decide whether to register as an LLC, S-Corp, or another entity.
- Startup and Ongoing Expenses: Outline all initial costs and monthly operating expenses.
- Target Market: Identify the type of freight you will haul, like dry van, reefer, flatbed, or hotshot.
- Projected Revenue and Freight Rates: Estimate your income based on current market rates per mile.
- Marketing Strategy: Plan how you will find clients and secure loads.
- Goals for Expansion: Set short- and long-term growth targets for your trucking business.
#2. Form Your Trucking Company Legally
To run your trucking business legally and protect your personal assets, you need to establish a formal business entity. Most owner-operators choose a Limited Liability Company (LLC) because it separates your personal liability from your business risks.
Here are the essential steps to form your trucking company:
- Choose Your Business Name: Pick a unique and professional name for your company.
- Register with Your Secretary of State: Officially file your business name and entity type.
- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN): Get your EIN for free from the IRS to handle taxes and hire employees if needed.
- Open a Business Checking Account: Keep your business finances separate from personal accounts for easier bookkeeping.
Pro Tip: Forming an LLC makes it easier to qualify for loans or leases down the road and adds credibility with clients and vendors.
#3. Get Your Operating Authority (MC Number)
If you plan to haul freight for hire across state lines, you must obtain the proper operating authority from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). This allows you to run your business legally and get paid for transporting loads.
Here’s what you need to get started:
- USDOT Number: This unique identifier is required for safety and compliance tracking by the FMCSA.
- Motor Carrier (MC) Number: Needed for interstate hauling if you’re transporting goods for hire.
- BOC-3 Filing: Assigns process agents in every state you operate in—this is a legal requirement.
- Unified Carrier Registration (UCR): A mandatory registration for carriers operating across state lines to comply with state and federal rules.
Pro Tip: You can apply for both your USDOT and MC numbers online through the FMCSA registration portal. Approval typically takes 20–25 days.
#4. Purchase or Lease Your Truck
Your truck is the core of your business, so choosing the right one is a critical decision. Whether you decide to buy or lease depends on your budget, credit, and long-term plans.
Option 1: Buy a Truck
- New truck cost: $130,000–$200,000+
- Used truck cost: $30,000–$80,000
Buying a truck gives you full ownership and long-term control, but often requires financing or a large upfront payment. It’s a good option if you have stable capital and want to build equity in your asset.
Option 2: Lease a Truck
- Lower upfront costs
- Maintenance may be included
Leasing is ideal for those with limited savings or credit. While you won’t own the truck, it allows you to start your business with fewer startup expenses and sometimes includes maintenance, reducing surprise repair costs.
Factors to Consider
- Engine condition and mileage: Check important service records for used trucks.
- Truck type: Choose based on your freight needs such as dry van, reefer, flatbed or box truck.
- Fuel efficiency: Affects your profit margins, especially on long-distance travel.
- DOT inspection readiness: Make sure the truck meets federal safety and inspection standards before purchasing or leasing.
Always get a professional inspection before purchasing a used truck to avoid costly surprises later.
#5. Get Commercial Truck Insurance
Insurance is one of the largest and most important startup expenses when launching a trucking business. You’ll need to secure proper coverage and provide proof of insurance before your operating authority becomes active with the FMCSA.
Required Coverage Includes:
- Primary Liability: Covers damages to others in an accident; required minimum is $750,000, though $1 million is recommended.
- Cargo Insurance: Typically set at $100,000, it covers the goods you’re hauling in case of damage or loss.
- Physical Damage: Protects your own truck and trailer from collision, theft, or natural disasters.
- Bobtail/Non-Trucking Liability: Covers your truck when it’s not under dispatch.
- Occupational Accident Insurance: Recommended if you’re an owner-operator without workers’ compensation coverage.
Estimated Annual Cost
Expect to pay $9,000 to $15,000 per year, especially if you’re a new authority without a safety history. Rates can vary based on location, driving history, and the type of freight you haul.
Ways to Lower Insurance Costs
- Maintain a clean driving record: Fewer violations = lower premiums.
- Operate a safe, well-maintained vehicle: Fewer claims mean better rates.
- Pay annually instead of monthly: Many insurers offer discounts for upfront payments.
Pro Tip: Shop around and get quotes from multiple commercial truck insurance providers to find the best coverage and pricing for your specific needs.
#6. Install ELD and Maintain Compliance
To operate legally and avoid fines, every trucking business must follow FMCSA regulations, including installing an Electronic Logging Device (ELD). The ELD automatically tracks driving hours to ensure compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) rules, helping prevent driver fatigue and improve road safety.
Compliance Must-Haves
- ELD Device – Mandatory for most commercial motor vehicles to log driving time accurately.
- Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs) – Conduct pre- and post-trip inspections to identify safety issues.
- Maintenance Records – Keep detailed logs of all truck repairs and maintenance to remain compliant.
- IFTA Fuel Reporting – Accurately track fuel purchases and mileage in each state for tax reporting.
Recommended ELD Brands
- KeepTruckin (now Motive) – Known for its easy-to-use interface and powerful fleet management features.
- Samsara – Offers real-time tracking, driver scorecards, and compliance tools.
- Garmin eLog – A budget-friendly option that’s FMCSA-certified and easy to set up.
#7. Set Up Your Accounting and Bookkeeping
Proper accounting and bookkeeping are critical to running a profitable trucking business. Tracking your finances accurately helps you stay on budget, file taxes correctly, and avoid costly mistakes that could hurt your bottom line.
What to Track
- Fuel Expenses: One of your largest variable costs, track daily to monitor efficiency.
- Maintenance and Repairs: Record all service and repair costs to plan for future expenses.
- Load Income: Log revenue per load to analyze which lanes and clients are most profitable.
- Insurance Payments: Monitor monthly or annual premiums to manage cash flow.
- Tolls and Permits: Keep receipts for tax deductions and IFTA reporting.
Recommended Tools
- QuickBooks for Trucking: Offers tailored features for owner-operators and integrates with banks.
- TruckingOffice: Designed specifically for trucking businesses, it tracks loads, expenses, and maintenance.
- Rigbooks: Simple, affordable tool for logging expenses, income, and trip details.
#8. Start Finding Loads
Once your authority is active and your truck is ready to roll, the next step is finding freight to haul. This is where your income begins. Whether you’re running lanes regionally or across the country, having consistent access to paying loads is essential to keeping your business profitable.
Load Sources
- Load Boards: These online marketplaces connect carriers with freight. Popular platforms like DAT, Truckstop, and 123Loadboard let you browse thousands of available loads in real time. You can filter by location, weight, type, and rate per mile. Load boards are especially useful when you’re just starting and don’t yet have direct shipper contacts.
- Freight Brokers – Brokers act as middlemen between shippers and carriers. They handle the logistics and offer loads to owner-operators, often through load boards or direct communication. While they take a cut of the rate, brokers provide reliable freight for newer carriers.
- Dispatch Services: For a fee (usually a percentage of your revenue), dispatchers find and book loads for you. This can save time and help keep your truck moving, especially if you’re new to negotiating rates.
- Direct Shippers – These are companies that work directly with carriers to transport their goods—no middleman involved. Direct contracts often pay better, but they’re harder to secure without a solid track record and networking.
Load Board Subscription Examples
- DAT Power: $149/month – the industry’s most widely used board with premium features for lane and rate analysis.
- Truckstop Pro: $135/month – includes broker credit scores, load filtering tools, and rate insights.
Experienced Tip – Always deliver loads on time and communicate professionally. Over time, this builds a strong reputation that leads to repeat freight, better-paying lanes, and direct shipper relationships.
#9. Know Your Freight Rates and Profit Margins
Understanding your cost per mile and setting the right freight rates is essential to running a profitable trucking business. If you don’t know how much it costs to operate your truck, you risk taking loads that lose money rather than make it.
Start by calculating your total operating cost per mile, which includes fuel, maintenance, insurance, truck payments, and miscellaneous expenses like tolls, permits, and IFTA taxes.
Example Cost Breakdown
- Fuel – $0.60
- Maintenance & Repairs – $0.15
- Insurance – $0.20
- Truck Payment – $0.25
- Misc. (IFTA, tolls, etc.) – $0.10
- Total Operating Cost – $1.30
To ensure profitability, you should aim to charge at least $1.70 to $2.00 per mile, though this can vary depending on the type of load, lane, and season.
Higher-paying lanes (like Northeast or specialized freight) may offer even better rates, while low-demand areas may require more strategic planning.
Use rate calculators or tools on load boards like DAT to evaluate average rates for specific lanes before accepting a load. This helps you avoid undercharging and maximizes your profit margins.
#10. Focus on Growth and Scaling Later
After you’ve built a stable and profitable one-truck operation, it’s time to think about growing your business. Scaling too early can lead to cash flow issues or compliance problems, so make sure your foundation is solid before expanding.
- Hire a Driver: Bring on a trusted driver to run your current truck while you focus on operations and strategy.
- Buy or Lease a Second Truck: Once your revenue and savings allow, adding another truck can double your earning potential.
- Secure Contracts with Regional Shippers: Direct freight contracts provide steady, higher-paying work and reduce your reliance on load boards.
- Use a Dispatcher: A professional dispatcher can help keep your trucks booked, saving you time and improving operational efficiency.
Final Thoughts
Starting a trucking business with one truck is a practical and powerful way to enter the freight industry. By following a clear plan that includes forming your business legally, obtaining the necessary permits and insurance, finding reliable freight, and managing your finances, you position yourself for long-term success.
With hard work, dedication, and smart decision-making, that one truck can grow into a profitable and sustainable operation.
Every successful fleet began with a single truck and a determined owner. If you remain consistent, deliver loads on time, and build strong industry relationships, your one-truck business can become the stepping stone to something much bigger.
FAQs – Starting a Trucking Business with One Truck
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Q. What is the cheapest way to start a trucking business?
Buying a used truck and using your own authority is typically the most affordable route.
Q. Can I start a trucking business without a CDL?
Yes, but you’ll need to hire a licensed driver or lease to a carrier until you’re licensed.
Q. How long does it take to activate MC authority?
After filing, it takes around 21 days to activate if no issues arise.
Q. What’s the average profit for a one-truck operation?
Owner operators can net $70,000–$100,000/year after expenses, depending on loads and lanes.
Q. What is the best load board for new authorities?
DAT and Truckstop offer the best options with plenty of loads for new carriers.
Q. Can I lease onto another carrier instead of getting my own authority?
Yes. Leasing on is easier and reduces startup costs but gives you less control.
Q. What licenses do I need to start a trucking company?
You need an MC number, DOT number, IRP, IFTA, and state-specific permits.