5 Things to Look For Before Running Under a Motor Carrier's Authority

Running under someone else's authority means your business depends on their decisions, their freight, and their systems. Choosing the wrong carrier can cost you months of lost revenue and headaches. Here's what to look for.

1. Settlement Transparency

Ask to see a sample settlement statement before you commit. A good carrier should be able to show you exactly how pay is calculated — gross revenue, deductions, fuel surcharge, and net pay. If they can't or won't show you this, walk away.

2. Dispatch Quality

Dispatch is your daily lifeline. Call the dispatch number before you sign. See how fast they answer, how they communicate, and whether they actually know freight. A dispatcher who doesn't pick up the phone is worse than no dispatcher at all.

3. FMCSA Safety Rating

Look up the carrier on FMCSA's SAFER system. Check their safety rating, out-of-service rates, and inspection history. A carrier with a poor safety record will eventually affect your CDL and your ability to work.

4. Fuel Card and Advances

Does the carrier offer a fuel card? What are the discounts? Can you get a fuel advance when you need it? These details add up to thousands of dollars per year.

5. Contract Terms

Read the lease agreement carefully. Look for unfair deductions, excessive liability clauses, or terms that let the carrier terminate you without cause on short notice. If you can't understand the contract, get someone to explain it before you sign.

At ZR81, we built our owner-operator program around the things we'd want if we were running under someone else's authority. We're not perfect, but we're transparent about what we offer and what we don't.