Hotshot drivers play a vital role in transporting goods and products on an urgent basis. They provide services for businesses that need to deliver their materials and equipment. They offer onsite services to businesses that need to bring materials overnight. This career is good, beneficial, and profitable for those who enjoy driving. A hotshot driver is a person who delivers loads and special deliveries for their customers. Before becoming a hotshot driver, a hotshot driver must know the Hot Shot Trucking Requirements.
Hotshot drivers carry loads and deliver them on an urgent basis. They offer quick, fast, and reliable services to their clients. They have commercial vehicles. They can also work as a driver in other companies.
Duties Performed by Hotshot Drivers
Drivers perform several duties as part of their job, including:
- Loading and unloading of goods and products for their customers
- Cargo record keeping
- Mileage check and balance
- Having maintenance on trucks and trailers for their smooth operations
- Contact their customers who need to get their loads on site
- Providing invoice information to their customers
Advantages of Becoming a Driver
Before you become a hotshot driver, you must know that it is beneficial. Following are the benefits you will enjoy once you become a hotshot driver.
Becoming a hotshot driver is cost-effective. You only need a commercial vehicle and a valid commercial driving license to become a driver.
Hotshot drivers can set their prices as they want. They can choose what kind of loads they will transport from one place to other. This behaviour will allow them to have full control of their income.
A hotshot driver can set their timings according to their own choice. They can decide for themselves when they will work and where they will go.
If you have a load of 10,000 lbs. or less, you can use your basic driving license. You must have proper training from some institute or a school in other cases. You also need to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to transport goods and products of more weight.
Hotshot drivers can choose to work in their area to enjoy more benefits. They do not have to go far away from their home. They will bear fewer expenses, and there is no need to fulfil the formalities of delivering loads to outside destinations.
Steps to Become a Hotshot Driver
If you choose a hotshot driver’s career path and enjoy picking up materials, products, and loads for earning purposes, you can follow these steps to become a hotshot driver.
First, you must apply for a valid driving license. A Hotshot Driver needs a basic driving license. When you apply for a driving license, you will receive it in a few days. For loads under 10,000 lbs., you do not need a commercial driver’s license. Once you have a valid driving license, you must maintain a clean and professional driving record. If you have a bad record, your customers will not trust you for their delivery projects.
After getting your driving license, you need to have a department of transportation number. A department of transportation number is a number the federal motor carrier safety administration assigns to a commercial vehicle that applies for the registration. Having a DOT number is necessary and a legal requirement of delivering loads for your customers. If you do not have a valid DOT number, you will not be able to deliver goods and materials while crossing state lines.
Hotshot drivers usually operate and drive a truck or trailer. You must carefully think about the loads you deliver. The vehicle model depends on the size of your loads. In the case of a trailer, you must consider and make sure that your vehicle can pull a trailer or not. This will make your decision easier, and you can identify what vehicle you need.
Now, you must purchase liability insurance to protect yourself and your businesses.
After all, you need to build a good reputation in the market. With a clean and professional record, you can have a strong network. You can have a network of potential clients for the growth and success of your business.