Electronic logging device (ELD)
Required to log hours of service from your first load. Its state-mileage report also feeds your quarterly IFTA return.
Garmin eLog
About $250 device · no monthly feePlug-in logger that works with a phone or tablet. No subscription.
garmin.com ›Motive
About $150 device · about $25/monthPopular all-in-one with GPS, IFTA mileage and safety tools. Usually requires a contract.
gomotive.com ›My20 ELD (Konexial)
About $130 device · basic plan has no monthly feePaid plans add GPS, IFTA reporting and navigation.
konexial.com ›- Is it on FMCSA's registered ELD list?
- Does it give a state-mileage report you can use for IFTA?
- How long is the contract, and what does canceling cost?
Load boards
Where you'll find freight until you build broker relationships. Many new carriers start with one paid board plus the free apps.
Amazon Relay · Uber Freight
Free to useBook loads directly in the app. No subscription.
relay.amazon.com ›uberfreight.com ›- Does it show broker credit scores and days-to-pay?
- How many loads does it list on your actual lanes?
- Try the free trial on your lanes before paying.
Fuel cards
Fuel is your biggest cost after the truck. A discount card cuts the pump price. Remember: where you fill up doesn't change your fuel tax, because IFTA charges by miles.
TCS Fuel Card
Prepaid · no credit checkDiscounts at in-network stops, with no monthly fee. Good for brand-new authorities without business credit.
tcsfuel.com ›Mudflap
Free app · card needs credit approvalCost-plus discounts at partner stops through the app.
mudflapinc.com ›Truckstop Fuel Card (AtoB)
Prepaid or creditWide acceptance with no setup or monthly fees advertised.
atob.com ›OOIDA Truckers Advantage
OOIDA membersDiscounts at TA/Petro and independents, plus other member benefits.
ooida.com ›- Prepaid or a credit line? New authorities often only qualify for prepaid.
- Are the discount stops actually on your routes?
- What are the out-of-network and funding fees? Advertised savings are averages.
Factoring
Brokers can take 30–45 days to pay. Factoring pays you in a day or two for a fee. Read the contract carefully: termination fees and exclusivity clauses are where people get stuck.
Apex Capital
Rates from about 1.5% · startup programWorks with new authorities. No long-term contract or monthly minimum advertised.
apexcapitalcorp.com ›OTR Solutions
Non-recourse · accepts new authoritiesFlat-rate pricing; rates aren't posted online.
otrsolutions.com ›altLINE
Recourse · new owner-ops eligibleLow starting fee, plus an origination fee.
altline.sobanco.com ›- Recourse or non-recourse? With recourse, you owe it back if a broker never pays.
- Contract length, cancellation notice and early termination fee.
- Must you factor every load, or can you choose?
Bookkeeping and IFTA software
Track income, expenses and cost per mile, and keep IFTA records audit-ready for four years.
Rigbooks
About $19/monthBuilt for owner-operators: IFTA, cost per mile and trucking expense categories.
rigbooks.com ›QuickBooks Online
About $35/month · IFTA needs an add-onGeneral small-business accounting that most CPAs know.
quickbooks.intuit.com ›Drug and alcohol testing consortium
Owner-operators must join a random-testing pool, pass a pre-employment test, and have Clearinghouse queries run. These companies offer owner-operator programs.
Foley
Owner-operator consortiumDOT drug testing consortium and compliance services.
foleyservices.com ›National Drug Screening
Owner-operator programRandom-testing consortium for single-truck carriers.
nationaldrugscreening.com ›- Yearly fee, and what each test costs on top.
- Collection sites near where you live and run.
- Will they serve as your C/TPA in the Clearinghouse and run your yearly query?
Insurance
Usually the biggest first-year bill, often $8,000–14,000 per truck for a new authority. We don't sell or recommend insurance, but here's how to shop it.
- Use an agent who regularly writes policies for new authorities.
- Quote $1,000,000 liability and $100,000 cargo. That's what most brokers require.
- Get at least three quotes, and ask about dash cam, deductible and pay-in-full discounts.
- Start shopping 60 days before you need coverage or before renewal.
Free official tools
Bookmark these. Never pay a third party for something these sites give you free.
Nevada DMV Motor Carrier
State of NevadaIRP plates, IFTA license and permits for Nevada carriers.
dmv.nv.gov ›