Hotshot Authority: How Any Company Can Start Employing Hotshot Truckers

Is your company considering acquiring hotshot authority? More and more carriers have acquired hotshot authority in recent years. One reason is due to drivers wanting to become hotshot truckers. The drivers love that they can almost become their own bosses. Hotshot truckers haul loads using only trucks and trailers.

This benefits carriers due to the lowered start-up costs. Plus, home time gets increased. But securing hotshot authority only happens by following FMCSA rules and regulations. That’s why we can help with Trucking Authority Packages or any other information you may need.

Our team will help you follow every US government rule and regulation. This way, your hotshot truckers can get on the road ASAP. Registering for a new motor carrier authority requires the following four items: 

1.  A USDOT Number.
2.  An MC Number.
3.  A BOC-3 Process Filing Agent.
4.  Potential IFTA registration.

Our firm is here to assist you when securing each item. All it takes is a phone call to us and we can take care of your hotshot authority process. Let’s begin by answering some common questions about hotshot authority.

What Are Hotshot Truckers?

Hotshot truckers are responsible for hauling loads that are time-sensitive. They do so with other large-sized trucks or medium-sized trucks. Many of the truckers use trailers. These trainers are not semi-trucks.

Hotshot truckers have a reputation for having a great deal of freedom. It’s up to them to decide which loads they want to haul. They make that decision based on the specifics of each truck. Certain hotshot truckers do not need to have a CDL. That depends on two factors.



1. The location that the hotshot truckers drive toward.
2. Trailer weight/truck weight.

What Are the Advantages of Hotshot Authority & Being a Hotshot Trucker?

Many people find it convenient to become a hotshot trucker. In fact, hotshot trucking is often a lot more convenient than serving as an owner-operator. This applies to people both new to the trucking industry and trained veterans. Here are the five main advantages of working as a hotshot trucker even if you need a TXDOT number as well.




1. Hotshot truckers feel like they work as their own bosses.
2. The start-up costs are low compared to other start-up costs.
3. Many hotshot truckers can select their own schedules.
4. Many hotshot truckers can spend a lot of time at home.
5. Some loads can only get transported by hotshot drivers.

Do Hotshots Need IFTA?

Is your truck under 26,000 pounds with two axles? If so, a hotshot driver does not have to possess IFTA. But does the truck have wheels and an MC number? If so, having an SSRS is an FMCSA requirement. Keep in mind that the US government wants all logs kept up-to-date. This applies for every truck with a weight of more than 10,000 pounds. Hotshot truckers must keep track of their jobs. This applies even if the jobs are weeks apart.

What Kind of Insurance Do I Need to Hotshot?

Here is a brief summary of hotshot truck insurance requirements. This refers to cargo coverage. Cargo coverage protects freight when it gets hauled by hotshot truckers. The smallest required coverage is $5,000. But most brokers request a lot more money. The average cargo insurance figure that they request is $100,000. Load breakers need a lot more when it comes to liability insurance. Those truckers must carry at least $1,000,000.

How Much Does Hotshot Insurance Cost?

The figure for average annual hotshot insurance includes truck/trailer protection. That figure is about $13,000 to $19,000 per year. Carriers have to pay about a 25% down payment. They then have to make payments every month. This means a carrier should plan to pay about $3,000 to $4,000 for the down payment.

The average hotshot carrier then pays about $1,000 every month. But some carriers can pay around $1,900 per month. The key is to shop around for the best hotshot insurance deal. If you need help with this, Moving Authority can find the best deal on your behalf.

Do I Need a CDL to Hotshot?

A CDL isn’t always a requirement when it comes to hotshot trucking. But the US government recommends having a CDL. Every hotshot trucker must file to have an Interstate Operating Number. This is also known as an MC number.

The MC number is separate from having a DOT number for hotshot trucking. Say that a hotshot driver has a large trailer and a CDL. This means the trucker can haul loads that weigh up to 26,000 pounds.

What Permits Do I Need for Hot Shot Trucking?

Truckers with hotshot authority are not required to have a Commercial Driver's License. This refers to loads that weigh under 10,000 pounds. But here is something the FMCSA states that all hotshot drivers must-have. It is a Motor Carrier Authority Number. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also approves that every trucker can drive.

Do Hot Shot Trucks Have to Stop at Weigh Stations?

Yes- this refers to official hotshot authority US government guidelines. The specifics of the hotshot guidelines vary state by state. Say that a hot shot driver stays over the threshold for subjection to hours of service.

This means that the commercial vehicle has a GVWR that exceeds 10,000 pounds. (GVWR stands for gross vehicle weight rating.) If this is the case, the hot shot driver has to enter weigh stations. This is why having hotshot authority is so crucial to the success of carriers. Without authority, a hotshot driver cannot operate and access weigh stations.

Hotshot Authority: The Difference Between Owner Operators & Hotshot Truckers

Keep the following notion in mind when it comes to securing hotshot authority. Hotshot truckers get classified as a form of owner-operators. Hotshot drivers and semi-truck owner operators take care of moving commercial loads. They both operate within their own operating authority. But here’s the key difference between the two. Hotshot truckers transport separate types of loads. Plus, owner-operators use a different style of truck. Below are some more important differences between the two. 

Semi-truck owner-operators have more expensive start-up costs. Hotshot truckers operate Class 3-5 trucks. Semi-truck owner-operators operate Class 8 trucks. Hot shot drivers often get to spend more time at home compared to owner-operators.

Loads of hotshot drivers are often not as large as owner-operator loads. All semi-truck owner-operators must have a CDL. But some hotshot truckers do not need a CDL. Also, hotshot truckers transport more time-sensitive loads than owner operators.

Securing Hotshot Authority: How to Start Employing Hotshot Truckers

Are you ready to secure hotshot authority for your trucking company? If so, our firm is here to guide your every step of the way. In fact, here is a simple four-step hotshot authority process. Let’s begin by ensuring that you have the right equipment. 

• 1. Start off by buying hotshot trucking equipment. The exact hotshot equipment you need depends on what you plan to haul. A lot of hotshot drivers use a dually. The dually ensures that big loads can get hauled. Conduct a lot of research before purchasing a hotshot trailer. The type of trailer you buy depends on the type of loads your drivers will transport.

• 2. Secure hotshot operating authority. (Our firm can take care of this on your behalf.) Commercial hauling requires operating authority for hotshot truckers. This is like how operating authority is also needed for owner-operators. The hotshot experts of Moving Authority can fill out all paperwork for you. This is so you can have peace of mind thanks to our proper registration practices.

• 3. Next, you’ll want to get insurance. All for-hire truckers must have the right insurance to transport loads. This is an FMCSA requirement. Our experts can help you find the insurance that works best for your organization.

• 4. Once the paperwork is complete, your hotshot drivers can start hauling. All you must do now is find loads to transport. There are many loads that work best for only hotshot truckers. Moving Authority can provide resources to help you locate those loads with a warehouse receipt.

We’ll Help You Secure Hot Shot Carrier Authority

The hot shot segment of the transportation industry is growing by the day. That’s why it’s time for your company to consider acquiring hot shot career authority. Our firm will help you gain all permits required by the US government. This is so your truckers can start hauling loads across state lines ASAP. We provide many hotshot packages that meet the needs of both carriers and truck owners. Here is what our complete (and most popular) hot shot package doesn't include.

1. MC Number certification that provides hotshot operating authority.
2. An MCS 150 update/DOT Number update.
3. Process Agent Filing with BOC-3.
4. UCR: Unified Carrier Registration. 
5. Arbitration Program Filing.

Keep in mind that our firm can also help your company get even more authority. We’ll assist you in securing a KYU, New York HUT DOT tariff or, SCAC, and more. Our mission is to do more than help you get FMCSA DOT authority. We want to do all we can to take your carrier operations to new heights. And our patented processes help ensure that every client can maintain complete compliance. 

Contact Us Today for More Information About Hotshot Authority

Our team is ready to help you with everything related to hotshot authority. And we’ve assisted trucking organizations and carriers for decades. Some of our clients are new to the industry and others are veterans. Either way, we help all transportation companies get winning results. We can take care of all paperwork on your behalf. This will ensure that your organization keeps up to date with FMCSA regulations. Our processes can lead to more loads getting hauled without any delays. So, what are you waiting for? Please give us a call right now. We’ll help you with every step of the hotshot authority process. Next thing you know, your hotshot trucker will get out on the road.