What is hotshot trucking? Requirements, trucks and costs

Not every load needs a semi. Oilfield parts, a single piece of construction equipment, a few pallets of building supplies or a car that has to be across the state by tomorrow are often too big for a courier but too small to justify a full truckload. That’s the gap hotshot trucking fills, and it’s one of the most common ways owner-operators get into trucking without buying a Class 8 tractor. This guide explains what hotshot trucking is, what you need to start, which trucks and trailers work best, and what it costs.

The short answer: hotshot trucking is hauling smaller, often time-sensitive loads with a heavy-duty pickup or medium-duty truck (usually Class 3 to 5) pulling a flatbed trailer, most often a gooseneck. Loads typically go straight from pickup to delivery for a single customer. To run for hire across state lines you need a USDOT number, motor carrier (MC) operating authority, commercial insurance and a DOT medical card, plus a Class A CDL if your truck and trailer are rated at 26,001 lbs or more combined with a trailer rated over 10,000 lbs.

Hotshot trucking at a glance

	Typical hotshot setup
Truck	Class 3 to 5 pickup or cab and chassis, such as a Ford F-350 to F-550, Ram 3500 to 5500, or Silverado 3500HD to 5500HD
Trailer	Gooseneck flatbed, deckover, dovetail, tilt deck or car hauler, often 30 to 40 ft
Loads	Partial and expedited loads: equipment, machinery, building materials, oilfield parts, vehicles
License	Non-CDL if under 26,001 lbs combined or the trailer is rated 10,000 lbs or less; Class A CDL above that
Paperwork	USDOT number, MC authority, BOC-3, UCR, DOT medical card; IFTA and IRP on heavier combinations
Startup cost	Often $15,000 to $30,000+ in down payments, insurance and fees if you finance the truck and trailer, per DAT

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What is a hotshot driver?

A hotshot driver hauls freight with a smaller truck and trailer instead of a semi, usually on a direct, expedited run for one customer.

Most hotshot drivers are owner-operators who lease onto a carrier or run under their own authority, and they find loads through load boards, brokers and direct customers. Because the loads are smaller and often urgent, the work is less predictable than long-haul trucking, but the truck costs a fraction of a Class 8 semi.

What do hotshot truckers haul?

Hotshot truckers haul anything that fits on a flatbed and doesn’t fill a full semi load, especially freight that needs to move quickly.

• Construction equipment like skid steers, mini excavators, compact tractors and light towers
• Oilfield and energy parts such as pipe, valves, pumps and generators
• Agricultural equipment and parts during planting and harvest
• Building materials like lumber, steel and palletized supplies
• Vehicles on car hauler and wedge trailers
• Auction purchases, which buyers often need moved from the yard soon after the sale

Do you need a CDL for hotshot trucking?

Not always. You need a Class A CDL if your truck and trailer have a combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs or more and the trailer is rated over 10,000 lbs.

Many new hotshot drivers start non-CDL by keeping the combination under that line, for example a 1-ton pickup with a trailer rated at 10,000 lbs or less. That limits how much you can haul, so most full-time hotshot operators get a Class A CDL to pull heavier goosenecks and take better-paying loads. Our guides on CDL classes, costs and training and gooseneck vs bumper pull trailers explain how trailer ratings affect the license you need.

Setup	Example	CDL needed?
Non-CDL hotshot	Pickup and trailer under 26,001 lbs GCWR, or trailer rated 10,000 lbs or less	No
CDL hotshot	Pickup or cab and chassis with a gooseneck rated over 10,000 lbs, 26,001 lbs or more combined	Yes, Class A

What are the requirements to start hotshot trucking?

To haul for hire across state lines, you need federal operating authority, insurance, a medical card and the right state registrations.

• USDOT number from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs in interstate commerce
• MC number (operating authority) if you haul other people’s freight for pay under your own authority
• BOC-3 filing, which names a process agent in each state you operate in
• Unified Carrier Registration (UCR), an annual fee for interstate carriers
• DOT medical card from an examiner on the FMCSA national registry
• Commercial insurance, with liability and cargo coverage that meets federal minimums and what brokers require
• IFTA and IRP fuel tax and apportioned plates if your combination is over 26,000 lbs or has three or more axles
• Hours-of-service compliance, usually with an electronic logging device (ELD), unless you qualify for an exemption
• Drug and alcohol testing program if you drive with a CDL

Many new operators set up an LLC to keep the business separate from their personal finances. If you lease onto an existing carrier instead, the carrier’s authority and insurance usually cover you, which is a simpler way to start. Requirements change, so confirm current rules with the FMCSA and your state.

What is the best truck for hotshot trucking?

The best hotshot trucks are diesel 1-ton dually pickups and Class 4 to 5 cab and chassis trucks, because they have the payload and towing ratings to handle heavy gooseneck trailers.

Truck class	GVWR	Examples	Best for
Class 3	10,001 to 14,000 lbs	Ford F-350, Ram 3500, Silverado 3500HD, Sierra 3500HD	Non-CDL and lighter CDL loads; most common starter truck
Class 4	14,001 to 16,000 lbs	Ford F-450, Ram 4500, Silverado 4500HD	Heavier goosenecks and higher payload
Class 5	16,001 to 19,500 lbs	Ford F-550, Ram 5500, Silverado 5500HD	Heavy CDL hotshot loads and long trailers

A dually adds stability and payload for heavy gooseneck pin weight, and a diesel engine handles constant heavy towing better than gas. When buying used, check service records, transmission condition and emissions systems; our guides to the 6.4 Powerstroke and Duramax reliability by generation cover common engine issues. Browse pickup trucks and cab and chassis trucks on RB Auction to compare real listings.

What trailer do you need for hotshot trucking?

Most hotshot drivers use a 30 to 40 ft gooseneck flatbed, because it carries the most weight and handles the widest range of loads.

Trailer	Pros	Cons
Gooseneck flatbed or deckover	High capacity, stable, fits most freight	Needs a bed hitch and a heavier truck
Dovetail or beavertail	Easy to drive equipment and vehicles on	Low tail can drag on steep driveways
Tilt deck	No ramps needed for wheeled and tracked machines	Hydraulics and pivots need maintenance
Car hauler or wedge	Built for multiple vehicles	Limited to vehicle freight
Bumper pull flatbed	Cheaper, works with lighter trucks	Lower capacity and more sway

Look for flatbed trailers, equipment trailers and car carrier trailers with current brake, light and axle inspections. You’ll also need straps, chains, binders and tarps to secure loads.

How much does it cost to start a hotshot trucking business?

According to DAT, startup costs can easily reach $15,000 to $30,000 when you finance the truck and trailer, covering down payments, insurance and setup fees.

Cost	Typical range (per DAT)
Truck down payment	About $5,000 if you don’t already own a suitable truck
Trailer	$10,000 to $15,000
Insurance down payment	About $3,000
Insurance	$1,000 to $2,500 per month, depending on experience, age and state
LLC setup	About $1,000
DOT medical exam	About $120

Buying a used truck and trailer at auction is one of the biggest ways to lower startup costs. Before you bid, factor in the buyer’s premium, registration and any repairs, and use our pickup truck inspection tips to avoid an expensive surprise.

How much do hotshot truckers make?

DAT puts typical owner-operator hotshot earnings at about $49,000 to $75,000 a year, with experienced operators sometimes clearing more than $100,000.

Income swings with freight demand, fuel prices, deadhead miles and how much of the truck you still owe. CDL hotshot drivers usually earn more because they can take heavier loads. Weekend and last-minute loads often pay a premium, while empty miles back home eat into profit. Track your cost per mile from day one, including fuel, insurance, payments, tires and maintenance, so you know which loads are worth taking.

Is hotshot trucking worth it?

Hotshot trucking can be worth it if you want to own your own trucking business with less money up front than a semi, but income is less steady and margins depend heavily on your costs.

Pros	Cons
Lower startup and operating costs than a Class 8 truck	Income varies with freight demand and season
Can start non-CDL while you learn the business	Deadhead miles and empty returns cut profit
Premium rates for urgent loads	Insurance is a large monthly cost for new authorities
Flexible schedule and more home time on regional runs	Lots of paperwork, compliance and load-finding work
Equipment holds resale value if you need to exit	Smaller loads mean less revenue per trip than a semi

If you’re comparing small trucking businesses, see our guides to making money with a box truck, starting a tow truck business and ways to make money with a pickup truck.

How do you get started in hotshot trucking?

1. Decide on CDL or non-CDL based on the loads you want to haul.
2. Choose a business setup: lease onto a carrier, or form an LLC and get your own authority.
3. Register for a USDOT number, MC authority, BOC-3 and UCR, and get a DOT medical card.
4. Get insurance quotes early, since cost varies widely and is needed to activate your authority.
5. Buy your truck and trailer, ideally used, inspected and matched to your license and loads.
6. Set up load securement gear, an ELD if required, and IFTA and IRP if your combination needs them.
7. Find loads through load boards, brokers and local customers like equipment dealers, contractors and farms.

Ritchie Bros. lists heavy-duty pickups, cab and chassis trucks and flatbed trailers in its auctions, and you can check recent sold prices before you bid to build a hotshot rig for less.

See also

Gooseneck vs bumper pull trailers and which one to buy