Owner-Operator Vs. Company Driver: Which Is the Better Path For a Truck Driver?
If you’re just entering the world of becoming a commercial truck driver and you’ve gotten your CDL, you’ve probably recognized that you have a few different job options available. A truck driver can choose to be an independent contractor who owns their own truck and seeks out their own work, or they can join up with a company and drive trucks that are part of that company’s fleet. The best option for you will depend on a number of factors, so here’s what you need to know about both options.
Owner-Operator Commercial Truck Driver
If you value your independence, you may prefer being an owner-operator to driving for a company, especially if you already own your own truck. If you’re buying a truck, you get to choose exactly what features you want in it, so that it’s comfortable for you. One drawback of this is that you’re also on the hook for all truck expenses, including maintenance and repairs.
As an owner-operator, you can choose when you work and when you take time off, which can be very freeing. You can even choose to stick closer to home so you can spend more time with your family. It may sometimes be hard to find steady jobs to earn enough money, though.
Company Truck Driver
When you sign up with a trucking company, you’ll be able to leave your work at work when you go home, because the company takes care of a lot of the issues that an owner-operator would have to handle themselves. Companies manage truck maintenance, cleanings, bookkeeping, and other paperwork, so you don’t have to spend your free time doing these tasks.
When you drive with a company, you also have more job security and you get to keep all the money you earn, rather than having to spend it on your truck. Also, you shouldn’t have to pay any start-up costs.
The drawbacks of company driving are that you may not be home as often, and you may not make as much money. You also have to drive the truck you’re assigned, which limits your options.
Stop by our dealership in Sanford, FL, today to view our current stock of new and used commercial trucks for sale. DeBary Truck Sales serves our Florida customers in Miami and Orlando and our Georgia customers in greater Atlanta.