Nov 09, 2017 • Carriers

Oversize Load Regulations

Oversize Load Regulations

Oversize Load Regulations

Find oversize load regulation details for each state.

Since the truckload is oversized, it’s a danger to other drivers who may not be experienced driving near or around such a large object. Due to this, type of truck freight requires red flags and lights to help identify the oversized truck freight on the road.

State by State Oversize Permits and Load Regulations

Since different states require different oversize permits it’s difficult to keep track of them all. That’s why we’ve compiled an easy guide to help you find oversize load permits by state.

Click on a state to find the FMCSA requirements associated with oversize load permits and oversized load permits. (It might be a smart idea to bookmark this page for future reference.)

Find Loads on Truckloads Free Load Board

If you have trucking authority and are looking for truck loads, (oversize or not) you can use Truckloads free load board to customize your truck freight search and filter results that are the best fit for you. You can choose from 11 different trailer equipment types when searching for loads and search based on location, date, deadhead and even load weight.

There are over 150,000 loads added each day so you can rest assured there’s freight that’s a fit for your needs!

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TagsOwner Operators

How to Grow Your Hard Earned Money in Trucking [p]There are at least 3 ways to "grow" one's hard earned money in trucking:[/p] [p]1. earn more for what you do as a trucker;[/p] [p]2. earn a second income from the cab of one's truck; and[/p] [p]3. put your money in an investment that lets it grow while you're driving. [/p] [p]The majority of truckers are paid by the mile or by the task, meaning that they are trading their time for money.[/p] [p]There are a lot of "time wasters" associated with trucking, including: [/p] <li>detention at shipper and receiver locations;</li> <h2></h2> <li>waiting for loads;</li> <h2></h2> <li>road construction; </li> <h2></h2> <li>bad weather and storms; </li> <h2></h2> <li>bottlenecks and congestion; </li> <h2></h2> <li>mechanical breakdowns;</li> <h2></h2> <li>accidents (both preventable and not preventable); and</li> <h2></h2> <li>time that the Hours of Service regulations force truckers to wait without getting paid.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Seek to reduce or eliminate as many of these time wasters as possible.[/p] <h2></h2> [p]Regarding earning more money for what you do, you can:[/p] <li>make yourself available to drive during all hours when you legally can drive;</li> <h2></h2> <li>develop a good relationship with those in your trucking company who assign loads, including your driver manager;</li> <h2></h2> <li>develop good relationships with mechanics in your trucking company's shop, so that they will perform maintenance or repairs on your truck in a timely manner; </li> <h2></h2> <li>be friendly with everyone with whom you come in contact, including guards and lumpers; </li> <h2></h2> <li>work for a trucking company that values your experience and will pay you accordingly; and</li> <h2></h2> <li>perform with excellence all of the tasks assigned to you, so that you will develop a good reputation and be worthy of getting more miles or being assigned higher paying tasks.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Seek to pay off all that you owe as you buy things, so that you don't have to pay credit card interest.[/p] <h2></h2> [p]If you don't have a budget, begin by using our "spending diary" (free download) for a minimum of 30 days so that you track where you are spending money.[/p] [p]From there, set up a budget, including what you save.[/p] [p]When the time is right, put your savings into:[/p] <li>either an interest-bearing account of some kind;</li> <h2></h2> <li>or investments that are most likely to grow.</li> <h2></h2> [p]Two ways to save more money as a trucker include:[/p] <li>preparing and eating as many meals as possible in your truck; and </li> <li>resisting the urge to spend money on non-critical things. </li> [p]We provide 35+ free downloads through our site.[/p] [p]To get them instantly by email, sign up through the form on the page listed below and confirm your subscription: <h2></h2> <a href="https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html">https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/free-downloads.html</a>[/p] [p]On behalf of my husband Mike and me, we wish all professional truck drivers safe travels and lots of money saving opportunities on the road.[/p] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> [p][b]By Vicki Simons[/b][/p] <a href="https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/">https://www.truck-drivers-money-saving-tips.com/</a>

Jan 08, 2021 • Carriers

Thinking Like a Business Versus Thinking Like a Trucker It's ironic that the business practices that can feel like the enemy of independence are actually the best ways for truckers to hold onto the independence they care about most. Good business habits aren't about selling out — they're the foundation that makes it possible to keep doing things your way. <h2>Cost per mile: the number that tells you everything</h2> Are you making money or losing money on a given load? The answer lives in your cost per mile (CPM). Know your CPM and you know your break-even point. Know your break-even point and you know what rate per mile you need to make a run worth taking. <h2>The biggest costs that determine your CPM</h2> Based on the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) <a href="https://truckingresearch.org/about-atri/atri-research/operational-costs-of-trucking/">Operational Costs of Trucking</a> report: <ol> <li><strong>Fuel: 38% of operational costs.</strong> Finding the best prices and running fuel-efficient practices has major impact on profitability — more than almost anything else you control day to day.</li> <li><strong>Truck payment: 31% of operational costs.</strong> With today's high borrowing rates and vehicle prices, truck payments make up a large share of CPM. It's a strong argument for used equipment and paying cash when possible.</li> <li><strong>Parts and maintenance: 16% of operational costs.</strong> Don't treat these as incidental. Estimate a per-mile cost and build it into your CPM — they add up whether you plan for them or not.</li> <li><strong>Insurance: 8% of operational costs.</strong> Premiums are a major cost today. Actions that lower your risk profile — a good safety score, clean inspections, no violations, consistent PM records — can indirectly lower this number over time.</li> <li><strong>Tires: 4% of operational costs.</strong> A necessary and predictable expense. Use past purchases to estimate your per-mile tire cost and include it in your CPM calculation.</li> </ol> Calculate your CPM using a tool like <a href="https://www.ooida.com/trucking-tools/cost-per-mile/">OOIDA's CPM calculator</a>. Most costs stay fixed day to day — you can fine-tune by adjusting for actual fuel costs as they change. <h2>Five business practices worth thinking deeply about</h2> <ol> <li><strong>Planning.</strong> A big-picture strategy keeps you from living load-to-load. Will you specialize in a lane, build repeat relationships with specific customers, or work with freight brokers? Having an answer gives you focus and a way to measure progress.</li> <li><strong>Policies.</strong> Clear rules around detention and accessorial charges protect your time and your revenue. Without them in writing — and a commitment to enforcing them — you're leaving money on the table.</li> <li><strong>Paperwork.</strong> Organized bills of lading, permits, and insurance documents support your efficiency during inspections and reinforce your professionalism with customers. The time spent staying organized costs less than the time spent scrambling when something is missing.</li> <li><strong>Recordkeeping.</strong> Compile expenses daily. Invoice accessorials immediately while the customer's memory of the load is still fresh. Details that seem easy to remember rarely are by the end of the week.</li> <li><strong>Key performance indicators.</strong> Objective numbers show you how you're doing. They motivate improvements, prompt adjustments, and flag problems before they compound.</li> </ol> <strong>KPIs every owner-operator should track:</strong> <ul> <li>Cost per mile (CPM)</li> <li>Rate per mile (RPM)</li> <li>Deadhead percentage</li> <li>Utilization — loaded days versus available days</li> </ul> <h2>Planning for the cycles, not just the current market</h2> Trucking is a boom-and-bust industry. The rate boom of the pandemic years gave way to a prolonged freight recession. The practices that protect you in a down market are the same ones that build your business in a strong one. Make them a habit regardless of where the market is. <strong>Control fixed costs.</strong> Low or no truck and trailer payments give you flexibility when rates drop. Review your insurance regularly to make sure your rate is competitive. Watch smaller fixed costs like subscriptions — they add up quietly. <strong>Diversify load sources.</strong> Having inroads with load boards, freight brokers, and direct shippers means losing one customer doesn't dry up your cash flow. Options are worth building before you need them. <strong>Foster long-term relationships.</strong> Loyalty to brokers and shippers in high-rate periods earns you priority access when loads are scarce. That goodwill is worth more than the premium on any single load. <strong>Specialize in a lane or niche.</strong> Flatbed, tanker, reefer, oversized, a specific commodity or corridor — specialists tend to be in shorter supply, which helps buffer the effects of market swings. <strong>Save from every load.</strong> Consistent savings get you through down periods and cover unexpected expenses without factoring fees or taking desperate loads. Enough saved capital can also let you pay for equipment outright and eliminate truck payments entirely. <strong>Stay consistent with sales and marketing.</strong> Maintain a professional brand — equipment appearance, website, business listings. Keep a basic information sheet on hand for prospects. Stay in contact with past customers. Referrals from <a href="https://wp-login.truckerpath.com/blog/good-customer-service-practices-are-survival-skills/">good customer service</a> are the cheapest leads you'll ever get. <strong>Do your preventative maintenance.</strong> Time spent on PM buys you more time driving and earning. Breakdowns cut off revenue while piling on costs — repairs, towing, rentals, hotels, lost loads. Consistent PM prevents breakdowns, keeps you ready for inspections, and stops small problems from becoming expensive ones. <strong>Outsource what pulls you off the road.</strong> Dispatching, bookkeeping, maintenance, and compliance all take time. When they reduce your available driving hours, they're costing you. A professional handling those functions while you focus on driving can pay for itself. <h2>Good business habits protect the freedom you're in trucking for</h2> Strong business practices don't get in the way of independence — they're what sustains it. They keep you financially stable through cycles, reduce stress when the market gets hard, and give you options when other operators don't have any. Technology has made good business practices more accessible than ever. The Trucker Path app puts the cheapest fuel along your route, truck-safe routing, trucker-recommended service providers, and a load board with thousands of new loads posted daily in one place. <a href="https://truckerpath.onelink.me/ivkh/n0eiei2g">See what's available on your next run.</a>

Jul 23, 2026 • Carriers

Fine Print and Hidden Costs in Freight Factoring [p]Be certain to review the fine print of freight contracts as sneaky freight factoring companies sometimes have hidden costs that are added to the advertised factoring rate. [/p] [h2] Freight Factoring - What some companies don't tell you [/h2] [p]Factoring can be a great tool to streamline your cash flow and grow your business as it eliminates the wait to get paid for owner-operators. However, some factoring companies have contracts with complicated jargon and disclaimers hidden in the fine print. [/p] [h2] Hidden Costs [/h2] [p]Sometimes a factoring company will advertise a great rate, far lower than any competitor. It's a perfect scenario for you, right? Well, not exactly. [/p] [p]Those rates that seem too good to be true are typically just that. Although a low rate is optimal, the associated fees that you will incur in addition to the rate can balloon the overall cost for you to factor. [/p] [video id="IBCMtru_QMQ"] [h2] ACH Transfer Fee [/h2] [p]ACH Transfer fees can be issued each time you factor and range from $10 to upwards of $25 depending on the type of transfer or deposit. This cost can surely add up over time and frankly, it's ridiculous for to you to pay a fee just to receive your money. [/p] [h2] Minimum Volume Fee [/h2] [p]Often times a factoring company will require you to commit to factoring a minimum volume of invoices. Failure to meet the agreed minimum amount can result in extra fees or a percentage surcharge. Take into account your typical invoice amounts and calculate if you will have an issue trying to meet the minimum requirements. Keep in mind not all factoring companies have this policy or fee. [/p] [h2] Client's Credit Check Fee [/h2] [p]Although your credit is not taken into account, your client's credit is. The creditworthiness of your client must meet a certain standard for certain factoring companies before they agree to factor your invoices. That's right, some companies will charge you a fee for that credit check. [/p] [h2] Length of Terms [/h2] [p]You might decide to factor for a variety of reasons. Unavoidable circumstances might arise making it difficult to cover your operational costs. Truck repairs are extremely costly and unpredictable at times, especially for owner-operators and having a reliable truck that is fully functional is essential to your business. If you run a small fleet, wages, insurance, and taxes further compound your expenses. [/p] [p]This brings the length of terms to factor into play. Most factoring companies offer three to six-month term agreements to factor with some even require one-year contracts. It's important that you review and consider your options when considering the length of terms.[/p] [p]Be sure to choose the best fit for you. If you're confident that you won't be factoring for an entire year or that you want to explore other options after a few months, you should consider factoring with a company that doesn't have a minimum length of terms agreement. [/p] [h2] Termination Fee [/h2] [p]Let's say you have been factoring with a company for six months now. You have received payment days after hauling a load and it's been beneficial in helping you generate cash quicker to cover your expenses. Now you have ample funds and decide that you don't need to factor for the next few months.[/p] [p]The factoring company won't let you out of the contract because you agreed to factor for a certain length of time. In order for you to stop factoring, you have to pay a fee up to $1,000. [/p] [p]That's ridiculous, right? [/p] [giphy] <iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/KE58LJF3k8jug" width="480" height="426" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/roger-KE58LJF3k8jug"> [/giphy] [h2] Choosing a Freight Factoring Company [/h2] [p]Before choosing to do business with a factoring company, you should take into account these potential hidden costs and fees in the fine print of a contract. Freight Factoring helps manage your trucking company's cash flow and takes the hassle away from client collections, allowing you to focus on growing your business and hauling more freight. [/p] [p]You shouldn't feel that you are being fleeced by an unusual amount of fees that you weren't aware of or deal with. <strong>Trucker Path InstaPay</strong> is freight factoring that pays you in a day with no hidden costs, fees, minimum commitments or contracts with pages and pages of fine print to sift through. [/p] [button text="LEARN ABOUT INSTAPAY" href="https://truckerpath.com/sign-up-instapay/?utm_source=blog&utm_medium=hiddenfeesAug1" width="250px"]

Aug 01, 2017 • Carriers