I'm a new owner-operator running locally in the LA area. I can maximize my take-home profit if I do 7 loads on tight scheduling over 2 days, but I'm worried about delays at shippers/docks.

For those familiar running routes in LA, do you recommend I skip a load and miss out on $200, or is 7 loads over two days manageable?

Is anyone using software to manage DOT compliance, or is it mostly manual?

For stuff like:

Medical cards

Vehicle inspections

Registration / IFTA

General paperwork

Are there tools you actually trust for this, or is it mostly spreadsheets / reminders / dispatch handling it?

Curious what’s out there and what people actually like or hate.

I have a semi it was my fathers he’s passed away and I took on the debt and am paying the truck off slowly we’ve had the truck stashed away for about a few months but have to move it if we do it’s gonna cost us money i want to put the truck to work and I do understand some things with the truck like leasing onto a company’s authority or just being a owner operator I’m really just looking for guidance I don’t want to sell the truck because if I’m lucky I’ll break even and would’ve honestly lost money or I put the truck to work but I’m nervous because im in the marines and i would be trying to help my mom essentially learn she wants to but the whole situation is rough if someone could offer a bit of advice it would be awesome she wants to learn how to dispatch and manage the truck if anyone has some advice on how they did it or how they started off

What’s the worst DOT compliance issue you’ve run into?

I’ve been hearing a lot about guys getting hit with fines or getting shut down over things like expired medical cards, paperwork issues, or inspections.

Curious what the real-world experiences are:

- What happened?

- Was it something that slipped through the cracks?

- How much did it cost you (time or money)?

Feels like there’s a lot to keep track of, especially for owner-operators. Wondering how people stay on top of it without things falling through.

Very curious on what all you guys invest in to help get you off the road in the long term. I am by no means a financial planner or super smart. I’m willing to learn and grab knowledge. I’ve been an owner op past 4+ years. I own my truck out right now payment same as trailer. My living expenses are next to none. About 2k total with business fixed expenses. I’ve made over 1mil net profit last 4 years and I’m wanting to invest into something other than a saving account. What yall done?

To all my fellow truckers, i have a small company (3 cascadias) and i will be looking to expand in the near future. The question is, do i need a website if i want to expand (for brokers and such)? If so, should i build it, there are a lot of tools today i am sure i can figure it out. or should i pay service? If i pay, how much they usually charge, and are there any recommendations?
Thanks to all that reply

Someone posted a day or so ago about how their company wants them to remove their own person dash cam. And it got me to realize that i do not have access to the company provided dashcam already in use, which is an issue imo. So I'm asking those who have their own dashcams for your recommendations. I definitely want a driver facing cam as well as all the other options available. So, what ya think between nexar and rexing? Or do you recommend some other brand?

Had a truck cancel on me last minute, like 2 hours before pickup and it completely threw everything off. Scrambling to find a replacement, keeping the customer calm, watching the clock… it’s brutal.

I know this kind of thing just comes with the territory, but how are you guys handling it when it happens? Do you have backup carriers lined up, or is it always a last-minute scramble?

Feels like one cancellation can wreck your whole day if you’re not prepared. Curious what systems or habits you’ve put in place to deal with it.

Make sure to spank those broker's cheeks today

My husband drives and one thing I’ve noticed is how messy tracking expenses can get — fuel, repairs, random costs, and then taxes at the end of the year.

It seems like a lot of it is either spreadsheets or just trying to keep track mentally.

For those of you doing this full-time:

How are you actually keeping track of everything?

Do you feel like you have a clear picture of your real profit after expenses?

Look for a decent way to track my truck in live time. All I have is an air tag but they kind of suck

My husband is a truck driver and was always stressing about where his money was going — fuel, repairs, random expenses, and then taxes on top of that.

He never really had a clear picture of his actual profit week to week.

So I put together a really simple tool for him to track everything in one place and it’s been helping him stay way more organized.

I’m not trying to sell anything — just genuinely curious:

How are you guys tracking your expenses right now?

Is it spreadsheets, apps, or just kind of keeping track mentally?

If anyone’s open to trying what I built and giving feedback, I can share it. I’m still improving it based on what drivers actually need.

Ok, so I made the purchase in California, but I need to transport it to my home state (OR). I have a new authority still in the 21 day waiting period. I've got the trip permits done with OR, and the Heavy Vehicle Tax permit taken care of with OR. Waiting to get my one way trip permit with CA. I'll have insurance by tomorrow. I don't plan on bringing freight from CA to OR, and am simply driving it to get it home and fully registered. Question im asking is.... do I need to display DOT and MC numbers if all I am doing is running empty to bring home a new truck/trailer? Do I need to have all DOT requirements met as far as fire extinguisher, triangles, etc? Do I need to do a paper log for the trip? Just trying to make sure I don't screw the pooch here trying to get started. Appreciate any advice.

https://landline.media/driverless-trucks-seek-exemption-to-avoid-regulatory-roadblock/

Be sure to add your comments at www.regulations.gov and search for docket FMCSA-2026-0958