What to ask before you lease on with any carrier

Guide · 3 min read

Leasing on is a business deal, and federal leasing rules (49 CFR Part 376) require it to be written down. Before you sign with any carrier, ours included, get clear answers to these:

• How is pay calculated? Percentage of the load or per mile, and on what figure. Ask to see a sample settlement.
• What gets charged back? Fuel, insurance, ELD, trailer rental, plates. Every chargeback should be itemized in the lease.
• How does escrow work? How much, how it is held and when it is returned after you leave.
• Who covers what insurance? Primary liability and cargo usually sit with the carrier. Ask about bobtail or non-trucking liability and physical damage on your truck.
• How often are you paid? Weekly settlements and how quickly paperwork turns into money.
• Do you choose your loads? Forced dispatch versus the right to turn down a load.

We would rather answer these up front than surprise anyone later. Start the interest form and we will talk it through.