Let me be straight with you: I got my authority in 2023, spent a full year driving OTR in a box truck, and made every mistake in the book. The good news? I documented all of it on TikTok (@couventcollective) so you can learn from my chaos without living through it yourself.

This guide is everything I wish someone had told me before I started. Whether you're thinking about freight, already have a box truck sitting in your driveway, or just want to understand this industry before diving in, I'm going to break it all down for you.

My Path: Why I Chose the Gig Route First

Before you buy a single piece of equipment or sign any contracts, let me share the strategy that saved me from a much bigger financial disaster: start with gig work to learn the industry.

I drove Amazon Relay, did final mile deliveries with Roadrunner, and ran OTR loads. Each one taught me something different about how freight actually moves in this country. More importantly, it taught me what I didn't know, which turned out to be a lot.

The gig route lets you make your mistakes on a smaller scale. Trust me, it's much better to learn that you calculated your cost per mile wrong on a $200 Roadie delivery than on a $5,000 contract run where you're now operating at a loss.

The Financial Foundation: Rent Before You Buy

Here's advice that will save you thousands: rent your equipment before making the financial investment of buying.

When I started, I rented. This let me figure out what size truck I actually needed for the work I was doing, understand maintenance costs in real-world conditions, learn what features mattered and what I could live without, and test whether this business was viable for me before going into debt. A box truck purchase can run $30,000 to $80,000 or more. Monthly rental might be $1,500 to $3,000. That's a much smaller commitment while you're learning whether you even like this work.

Getting Legal: US DOT Number and MC Authority

Before you can legally haul freight for hire, you need your credentials in order.

US DOT Number

This is your federal identification number from the Department of Transportation. Every commercial vehicle operating in interstate commerce needs one. You can apply for free through the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) website. The DOT number tracks your safety record, inspections, and compliance history.

MC Authority (Motor Carrier Authority)

If you're hauling freight for compensation, you need MC authority. This is essentially your license to operate as a for-hire carrier. The application fee is currently $300, and there's a waiting period of about 21 days after approval before your authority becomes active. During that time, you'll need to get your insurance in order.

Steps to get your authority:

1.       Register for a USDOT number through FMCSA

2.      Apply for MC authority (if hauling for hire)

3.      Obtain required insurance

4.      Designate process agents (BOC-3 filing)

5.      Wait for your authority to become active

Insurance: The Real Cost of Entry

Let's talk about the number that makes most new carriers choke: insurance.

For a box truck operation, you're looking at several types of coverage. Primary liability insurance is required by law, with minimums depending on what you're hauling. Cargo insurance protects the freight you're carrying. Physical damage coverage is for your own vehicle. You can expect to pay anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000+ per year for a new authority with no established safety record. Yes, that's per year, and yes, insurance companies often want it all upfront or in large quarterly payments.

This is why I tell people to run the gig apps first. You can operate under the platform's insurance umbrella while you learn the business and build capital for your own authority.

TWIC Cards vs. TSA Certified: Know the Difference

These two credentials confuse a lot of new drivers, so let me break it down.

TWIC (Transportation Worker Identification Credential)

A TWIC card gives you unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels. If you're picking up or delivering at ports, you need this. The card costs about $125, requires a background check, and is valid for five years. Getting your TWIC opens up significantly more work opportunities. Port deliveries and pickups often pay better, and many logistics companies won't even consider you for certain contracts without it.

TSA Certified (HME - Hazmat Endorsement)

TSA certification is what you need for a hazardous materials endorsement on your CDL. This involves a separate background check through TSA and allows you to transport hazmat loads. If you're running a box truck without a CDL, this may not apply to you, but it's worth understanding if you're considering scaling up.

My recommendation: Get your TWIC card early. Even if you don't have port work lined up yet, having it in your pocket means you're ready when opportunities come up. I've seen drivers lose contracts because they couldn't get credentialed in time.

The Numbers That Matter: Cost Per Mile vs. Rate Per Mile

This is where I made some of my most expensive mistakes, so pay attention.

Rate Per Mile

This is what you're getting paid. If a load pays $500 for 200 miles, your rate per mile is $2.50. Simple enough.

Cost Per Mile

This is what it actually costs you to move your truck. Here's what most new drivers forget to include:

•         Fuel (your biggest variable cost)

•         Insurance (divided by your monthly miles)

•         Truck payment or rental

•         Maintenance and repairs

•         Tires

•         Permits and registration

•         ELD subscription

•         Load board subscriptions

•         Factoring fees (if using)

•         Deadhead miles (driving empty)

•         Your time

For a box truck, your cost per mile might run anywhere from $1.00 to $2.00+ depending on your setup and efficiency. If your cost per mile is $1.50 and you take a load at $1.40/mile, you're paying to work.

Know your numbers. Track everything. I use spreadsheets religiously now, but I wish I'd started that habit from day one.

Gig Apps: Where to Start

These platforms let you get your feet wet without committing to contracts. Here are the major players:

Amazon Relay

This is where I recommend most people start. Amazon has consistent volume, clear requirements, and you're dealing with a known entity. Their box truck requirements include having your own authority and meeting their vehicle specifications. The loads are often short-haul, which means less time away and quicker turnaround. It's great for learning because the pickup and delivery process is standardized.

Frayt

Focuses on same-day and last-mile delivery. Good for cargo vans and box trucks. The app shows you available loads, and you can grab what fits your schedule and route.

Curri

Popular in the construction and building materials space. If you're in an area with a lot of development, Curri can keep you busy with material deliveries.

GoShare

Handles everything from small moves to large freight. They have both B2C (helping people move) and B2B (business deliveries) work available.

Roadie

Owned by UPS, Roadie offers a mix of same-day deliveries. It's flexible and can work well alongside other apps. The deliveries tend to be smaller, but they can fill gaps in your schedule.

My strategy was to run multiple apps simultaneously. Some days Amazon Relay had the best loads. Other days it was Roadrunner final mile work. Stay flexible and go where the money is.

Load Boards: Finding Freight

Once you're ready to move beyond gig apps, load boards become your best friend. These are marketplaces where shippers and brokers post available freight.

I had the most success with DAT. It's one of the largest and oldest load boards in the industry. Yes, there's a subscription cost (around $50-200/month depending on the plan), but the volume of loads available makes it worth it. Other options include Truckstop.com, 123Loadboard, and Direct Freight.

Tips for working load boards:

•         Build relationships with brokers who treat you well

•         Check broker credit ratings before accepting loads

•         Negotiate - posted rates are often starting points

•         Consider backhauls to avoid deadheading

•         Track which lanes are consistently profitable for you

Factoring: Getting Paid Faster

Here's a reality of this industry: brokers and shippers often pay on 30, 60, or even 90-day terms. When you're just starting out and cash flow is tight, waiting two months to get paid for a load you ran today can put you out of business.

Factoring companies buy your invoices at a small discount and pay you within 24-48 hours. You might get 95-98% of your invoice immediately instead of waiting months for 100%.

I use OTR Solutions for my factoring. They've been reliable, and their platform is easy to use. If you want to check them out, here's my referral link:

https://otrsolutions.com/the-box-truck-lady

Is factoring worth the fee? When you're starting out and need consistent cash flow to cover fuel, insurance, and payments - absolutely. As you build reserves and establish relationships with quick-pay brokers, you can reduce or eliminate factoring.

Moving From Gigs to Contracts

Once you've learned the ropes through gig work, dedicated contracts become more attractive. Contracts offer predictable revenue, consistent routes, and often better per-mile rates than spot freight.

How to land your first contract:

1.       Build a track record. Your on-time delivery percentage and claim-free history matter.

2.      Network relentlessly. Attend industry events, join trucking groups, and connect with shippers directly.

3.      Start with smaller companies. They're often more willing to give new carriers a chance.

4.      Be professional. Return calls promptly, show up on time, and communicate proactively.

5.      Get your certifications. WBE, MBE, and SBA 8(a) certifications can open doors, especially for government and corporate contracts.

Don't rush this transition. A bad contract can hurt you more than no contract at all. Make sure the numbers work and you can actually service what you're committing to.

The Facts

Breaking into transportation isn't complicated, but it does require patience, capital, and a willingness to learn, often the hard way. Here's what I wish I'd known from day one:

•         Start with gig work to learn before committing to contracts

•         Rent equipment before buying

•         Get your TWIC card, it opens doors

•         Know your cost per mile before accepting any load

•         Budget for insurance, it's more than you think

•         Use factoring to maintain cash flow while you build

•         Build relationships, this is a relationship business

Will you make mistakes? Yes. I certainly did. But with the right preparation and realistic expectations, you can build something real in this industry.

Where I Am Now: From OTR to Niche Freight

All that OTR experience? I took it and built something specialized. Today, we've carved out a niche business moving cryogenic freight - temperature-sensitive materials that require precise handling and specialized equipment. It's not the easiest lane to break into, but that's exactly the point. Specialization reduces competition and commands better rates.

And we're not stopping there. This year, we're positioning ourselves to become an IAC (Indirect Air Carrier) to move AOG (Aircraft on Ground) freight. When an aircraft is grounded and needs a part immediately, every minute costs the airline money. AOG shipments are time-critical, high-value, and require carriers who can move fast and reliably. It's a demanding niche, but it's also where the serious money is.

This is what the gig-to-contract pathway can lead to. You start running Amazon Relay and Roadie deliveries, you learn the industry, you build capital and credibility, and eventually you find your lane - literally. The specialized freight that other carriers can't or won't handle is where you build a real business with real margins.

Follow helpful hints and videos: @couventcollective on Tiktok or YouTube

Keep moving forward.