Hotshot Trucking: Everything You Need to Know

Though it’s been around for a while, it seems like hotshot trucking is now more popular than ever.

Truck drivers who want to start their own trucking company often look to hotshot trucking as a cheaper option.

Hotshot hauling supports a specific niche in the trucking community, and there are various things you can and cannot do when you start a hotshot business.

What is hot shot trucking and what are the hotshot trucking requirements?

Find the answers to these questions and more in this hotshot trucking guide.

Hotshot Business

What is Hot Shot Trucking?

Hotshot hauling involves using medium-duty or one-ton trucks to pull trailers containing time-sensitive loads.

The “term hotshot” originated from the Texas oil fields, where pickups used to deliver quickly-needed parts to off-road drilling and pumping stations.

Hotshot trucking has survived from them to now and is actually regaining momentum with the increase in truckers’ desire to be their own boss without the high startup costs.

Plus, certain hotshot driver requirements make it a bit easier to get started quickly.

Pros and Cons of Hotshot Trucking

Besides avoiding the trucking business startup costs of buying or leasing expensive equipment, many hotshot loads are local and close-by, which means plenty of time at home.

Smaller loads that most freight trucks don’t want to haul are perfect for hotshot hauling.

Circling back to equipment expenses, purchasing a dually or 1-ton new truck is, on average a $40,000 investment, much cheaper than a rig.

Also, that vehicle won’t burn through fuel the same way that a larger semi-truck or rig will.

Hot Shot Trucking Requirements

Another major perk of hotshot trucking is that hotshot drivers are not necessarily required to have a CDL license.

A CDL is meant for vehicles weighing 10,000 pounds or more, depending on the state.

However, depending on what loads you’ll be transporting, you may want to get a CDL if you’re crossing state lines.

You’ll also need a USDOT number and possibly an MC number.

Speak to the Department of Transportation to find out specifically which documents you’ll need.

So, are you ready to start your own hotshot business? Hopefully, this information helped!

If hotshot hauling isn’t for you, but you’re interested in owner operator trucking or fleet management, check out some of our other blogs for resources, or print the one-page guide below to help you get started!

If you’re already in business and you’re looking for a trucking business management solution, check out TruckLogics, trucking management software with features for dispatch management, maintenance planning, business report generation, expense management, and more.

Use the free 15-day trial to check it out today!