Starting a hotshot business: the checklist from EIN to your first load

The checklist, in order

1. Pick the weight class on purposeUnder 26,001 lbs combined, no CDL. Most hotshotters run a 14,000 lb dually with a 12,000 lb trailer to stay under. Over it, you need a Class A.
2. USDOT and MC authorityThrough FMCSA. Insurance and BOC-3 first, then authority activates in about three weeks.
3. Insurance$750,000 liability minimum; brokers want $1,000,000 and $100,000 cargo.
4. UCR, IRP, IFTAAnnual UCR. IRP plates and IFTA if you cross state lines, which hotshots do.
5. Medical card and drug programDOT physical for every driver, drug and alcohol consortium enrollment, Clearinghouse registration.
6. ELDElectronic logs if you run outside the short-haul exemption, which is most hotshot work.
7. Letter the truckName and USDOT on both front doors of the dually. MC optional.

What goes on the truck

Both sides, contrasting color, readable from 50 feet in daylight. Two inch numbers is the standard; the rule is legibility, not a fixed height.