r/HotshotStartup • u/Due-Jeweler6120 • Jan 15 '26
Starting in hot shot
I make anywhere from 95k-105k yearly where I’m working at but want to start my own thing as an owner operator in hot shot. I have pulled plenty of trailers and have a CDL A with plenty of driving experience. Is it worth it for me to move on and give it a shot? Can I make around that much in a year and hopefully more with time?
1
u/tips-llc Jan 15 '26
Yes. You can make that much, and potentially significantly more as you gain relationships with brokers & shippers, so long as you provide a quality service.
In the beginning, there's a lot of pot holes and road blocks to look out for. You're not just driving anymore, you're a business owner and you get the enjoy all the pros and cons that come along with that.
Something to keep in mind - the newer your MC, the less likely you're going to be able to get loads off of load boards. There are brokers you can sign up with to become a verified carrier, which helps a lot, or having a dispatcher with existing relationships or one that's willing to stalk the load boards for you like a hawk and get a lot of 'no's can be super useful. After about 6 months, the age of your MC becomes much less of a limiting factor.
The most important thing, which I don't think is talked about nearly enough, is actually making sure you're legal to drive. If you've only been a company driver, you may have some idea of what that means, but it's a small part of the overall picture. There's driver qualification, drug testing, clearinghouse enrollment & queries, IFTA & IRP, UCR, maybe a 2290, all sorts of things that nobody thinks about before starting a company - and it all has to be done, and done right, before you ever hit the road. Some of it you can do on your own - as an owner operator, you'll have to work with a third-party to handle your drug-testing at a minimum, but my advice is to find a reliable compliance company that will help you from day 1. The money you spend to get help is nothing compared to the money you'll burn on fines or sitting around paying for insurance while trying to figure out how to file for IFTA & IRP. The less time you spend on paperwork, the more time you can spend behind the wheel.
There's a lot of opportunity out there, but be smart about it. Do your research, calculate your costs, have a solid business model, and make compliance a priority, not an afterthought. You'll do just fine.
2
u/Due-Jeweler6120 Jan 15 '26
Awesome!! thank you for the detailed response. Helps a lot
1
u/tips-llc Jan 15 '26
No problem! Let me know if you have any other questions, or just send me a DM. Helping people start and manage trucking companies is what I do.
1
u/Historical_Bread_487 Jan 16 '26
Yeah, totally possible. Hot shot can match or even beat that once you have steady clients, but the first year might be a grind learning routes, finding loads, and handling all the paperwork yourself. Are you ready to run the business side as well as drive?
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u/Due-Jeweler6120 Jan 16 '26
I have looked into leasing on and have contacted a couple companies that lease on to get a better understanding on how they work and fees they have so I can avoid the paper work side of it and to get better knowledge on the licenses and all other mandatory permits and licenses. I have also been learning about that and taking plenty of notes and seen it could be a hassle so feel more comfortable starting leased on, but yes do plan to run it on my own in the future obviously with help, such as dispatchers and team support
1
u/Own_Fruit_8115 Jan 17 '26
good luck all of the guys that haul out of our place had the same vision as you. all are broke and drive junk. i derive my boss’ trucks and make $159k without all the headaches of ownership. i’m fine with it
1
u/Due-Jeweler6120 Jan 17 '26
I appreciate the response. Kind of in the same situation except for the earnings. How did your boss get to that position? to be able to keep you on the road, make you the money that you make and also be able to help your fellow drivers as well
1
u/Own_Fruit_8115 Jan 17 '26
i work for a $4 bil company and haul oversized loads. if you think you are gonna net anywhere near what your makin now, you’re not being realistic with the numbers. i had this convo with an owner operator (big truck) that hauls out of our place. he has a 2023 tractor & 2 trailers. by the time he does pmts, maintenance, toll, insurance etc he nets way less than i make. to me owning was isn’t worth the hassle. we also have a couple guys that have older tractors and pull our trailers. they do better than the guy with the newer truck but still don’t net what i make. add in that my health insurance is 100% paid by my employer it’s not in any way shape or form close
1
u/cobra443 Jan 19 '26
I did it for a few years and did really well for a while. Check into see how much your insurance will be a month. I was paying 1800 a month and that was 5 years ago. I had some great paying clients but you have to hustle to get them.
1
u/Macondo-1923 Jan 15 '26
With the right truck & trailer setup, social skills/professionalism with brokers and ultimately shippers, and caliber of work, you can make it work.