Car hauling is a fantastic career choice, as it has proven to be both very rewarding and high-paying for many drivers in the industry. But while hauling cars might sound like a straight-forward business venture to get started in, the actual steps of becoming an auto transport Carrier might not be clear for newcomers.
To help you get started on your new career path, we’ve laid out all of the necessary steps in this quick guide for becoming an auto transport Carrier.
Get a Class A CDL
Before doing anything else, you must first obtain your Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which is the license you’ll need in order to drive large commercial trucks. If you do this step first, then you’ll have an easier time getting insured.
Purchasing the Necessary Equipment
Of course, in order to become an auto transport Carrier, you’ll need the proper equipment to do so. The most important piece of equipment you’ll need is the truck itself – leasing a truck or trailer is by far the most expensive investment you will need to make in your car hauling journey, so be prepared for a hefty upfront cost. When choosing a car hauling trailer, be sure to consider the various different sizes and types and pick the one that best suits your vehicle transport needs.
Outside of that, there are a few other pieces of equipment that you’ll likely need as a new auto transport Carrier. These include car tie-down straps for securing loads, wheel nets for better absorption of bumps and jerks, and wheel chocks and scotch blocks to improve wheel stabilization during transport.
Fulfill All Other Legal Requirements
Once you have a license and vehicle, you’ll need to fulfill all other legal requirements. This means registering for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), where in which you’ll need to apply for your USDOT number, your MC operating authority, fill out Form BOC-3, and update your registration with the MCS-150 form.
Use the Right Software
If you plan on hauling cars, then you’ll need the right software for finding loads in your area. Load boards are mandatory for finding loads, as they serve as a marketplace for Carriers to find, request, and pickup loads in their route. But you shouldn’t use just any load board; load boards vary quite a bit when it comes to their prices, user base, and features.
Super Dispatch’s load board, Super Loadboard, offers a wide range of exclusive features that other load boards lack, while also coming bundled together with an advanced TMS system. Super Dispatch’s Carrier TMS allows Carriers to view all of their loads in one place, instantly book loads with trusted Shippers in their network, easily schedule trips, send electronic BOLs, and much more.
Try Super Dispatch
Super Dispatch’s all-in-one platform is the perfect tool for new auto transport Carriers, as it packs both an advanced load board and TMS system into a single platform that is user-friendly, easy to use, and packed to the brim with features. Try it for yourself for free today!
