Not to be a killjoy but if you cannot get the van hired out to make local deliveries someone has to ask the hard questions. In the ten years of being an owner operator, several years driving for others, and being self employed various trades since I was in my early teens I have come across these situations at one time or another.
1) Do you have your own authority? If no are you willing to obtain it?
2) Do you have the proper insurance? Minn US dollars. $1,000,000 auto liability $1,000,000 general business liability, $100,000 freight, Workers comp if required by your state or the carrier? Accident specific insurance that covers you in the event you are injured while working? This is different from personal medical insurance?
3) Medical insurance?
4) DOT physical and drug screen? Allot of local companies require it.
5) D.B.A. - Doing Business As filed with your county or state clerk? Other town, city, county business credentials permits or license?
6) What is your driving and insurance record?
7) What is your criminal record?
8) Are you willing to invest in equipment to meet your customer or carrier needs.
Size matters in this business.
9) Are you in an area where the market is over saturated with small vehicle deliveries?
10) What is your backup plan for coverage? Who will cover for you for medical appointments, illness, injury, vacation, etc.
11) What is your legal status? In other words are you a legal citizen / are you authorized to work in the U.S.A.?
12) Are you and can you be legally bound to a contract? Most companies require you to enter into a EXCLUSIVE or dedicated contract. Non compete agreement Customers / Carrier is the only source of work and their freight only.
13) Escrow to cover cover the cost or loss to the carrier or customer.
14) What are you charging? Too high or too low to be taken seriously.
15) What is the mechanical condition of your vehicle? Most companies look hard at vehicles over 5-6 yrs old.
16) Do you have contracts in place with truck suppliers and towing companies for immediate access to equipment in the event your vehicle is unavailable? In for service, breaks down, or is in a wreck?
I have had people including friends and family members ask me if they can drive for me. Anytime I have someone ask I give them this list. Its a tough list to meet but your customer/s expect these and more.
