What Is Hot Shot Trucking? How It Works and What You Need to Get Started

What Is Hot Shot Trucking? Everything You Need to Know Before You Hit the Road

If you've ever passed a heavy duty pickup pulling a long flatbed loaded with steel, lumber, or a piece of equipment, there's a good chance you were looking at a hot shot trucker.

Hot shot trucking has become one of the most popular ways to get into the freight business. Startup costs are lower than a semi, many drivers run without a CDL, and there's steady demand for fast, smaller loads. But before you buy a truck and start browsing load boards, there are a few things you'll want to understand, especially when it comes to insurance.

Let's break it all down.

What Is Hot Shot Trucking?

Hot shot trucking is hauling time sensitive freight using a medium duty truck, usually a one ton pickup, paired with a flatbed trailer. Instead of waiting to fill a full truckload, hot shot drivers move smaller, urgent loads directly to where they need to go.

Think of it as the middle ground between a delivery van and a tractor trailer. Hot shot loads are often too big for a box truck but don't need a full semi.

What Does a Hot Shot Rig Look Like?

Most hot shot setups include:

• A one ton dually truck like a Ford F350 or F450, Ram 3500, or Chevy Silverado 3500
• A flatbed trailer, most often a 40 foot gooseneck, though some drivers use bumper pull or dovetail trailers

Hot shot trucks usually fall into Class 3, 4, or 5, which keeps them well below the size and weight of a traditional semi.

What Do Hot Shot Truckers Haul?

Hot shot freight varies a lot, but common loads include:

• Construction materials like steel, lumber, and pipe
• Farm and agricultural equipment
• Oil field parts and machinery
• Vehicles and small heavy equipment
• Industrial parts that need to arrive on a tight deadline

Do You Need a CDL for Hot Shot Trucking?

It depends on your weight rating. If the combined rating of your truck and trailer stays at or under 26,000 pounds, you generally don't need a CDL. Go over that, and you'll need a Class A.

Keep in mind that "no CDL" doesn't mean "no regulations." Once your truck and trailer combination is rated at 10,001 pounds or more and you're hauling for hire across state lines, you'll need a USDOT number, an MC number (your operating authority), and commercial insurance filed with the federal government.

Insurance: Where Most New Hot Shot Truckers Get Stuck

Here's something a lot of new drivers don't realize: your MC authority won't go active until your insurance company files proof of coverage with the FMCSA. No insurance, no authority, no loads.

That makes insurance one of the very first things to sort out. It also brings up a lot of questions. These are the four we hear most often:

How much does hot shot insurance cost? Premiums vary widely depending on your experience, driving record, what you haul, and where you run. We walk through the biggest factors and what you can do to keep your rate in check. [LINK: How Much Does Hot Shot Insurance Cost?]

What insurance do I need to start a hot shot trucking business? There's the coverage the law requires, the coverage brokers require, and the coverage that protects your truck and your livelihood. We break down each one in plain English. [LINK: What Insurance Do I Need to Start a Hot Shot Trucking Business?]

Can I use my personal auto policy for hot shot trucking? This is one of the most expensive mistakes a new driver can make. Personal auto policies typically exclude hauling freight for pay, which could leave you paying out of pocket after an accident. [LINK: Can I Use My Personal Auto Policy for Hot Shot Trucking?]

Why is hot shot insurance so expensive for new authorities? If your first quote made your jaw drop, you're not alone. We explain why new authorities pay more and how that changes as you build a track record. [LINK: Why Is Hot Shot Insurance So Expensive for New Authorities?]

How Hutsenpiller Insurance Can Help

As an independent agency, Hutsenpiller Insurance isn't tied to one insurance company. That means we can shop your hot shot policy across multiple carriers to find coverage that fits your operation and your budget. Whether you're just getting your authority or you've been running for years, we'll help you understand exactly what you're paying for.

Ready to get started? Give us a call at 615-773-2886 or visit hutins.com for a quote.