Author Archives: Heartland Patriot

After 47 years behind the wheel, I’ve been asked just about everything. Some questions fit neatly into categories like business, maintenance, or health. But others? They stand on their own. Here are a few I get often — and my straight answers. — Q1: “What’s the one thing you wish you had known before youContinue reading “Series 22: Straight Talk Q&A — The Questions That Don’t Fit Anywhere Else”

Being a professional truck driver isn’t just about moving freight — it’s also about navigating a world of regulations. The Department of Transportation (DOT) plays a huge role in your day-to-day life on the road, and how you handle those moments can make or break your career. Let’s break it down. — 14.1 How doContinue reading “Series 14: Handling DOT & Regulations”

13.1 How do you build good relationships with brokers and shippers? Relationships in trucking are everything. A good broker can keep you rolling with steady freight, while a bad one can cost you money and time. Be professional, communicate clearly, and always follow through on what you say you’ll do. Reliability builds trust faster thanContinue reading “Series 13: Dealing with Brokers & Shippers”

When new drivers dream of running their own business, they often picture freedom, paychecks, and shiny trucks. What they don’t see coming are the dozens of small (and not-so-small) fees that quietly eat away at profit. These “hidden expenses” are part of the trucking business — and if you’re not ready for them, they’ll knockContinue reading “Series 12: Permits & Hidden Expenses”

When you become an independent contractor, insurance stops being a payroll deduction and starts being one of your biggest business expenses. The right coverage can protect your livelihood — the wrong coverage (or not enough of it) can ruin you. After decades in trucking, here’s what every owner-operator needs to know about insurance. — 11.1Continue reading “Series 11: Insurance for Independent Contractors: Protecting Your Business on the Road”

When most people think about trucking expenses, they picture fuel, maintenance, or insurance. But ask any independent contractor who runs across the Northeast, Chicago, or Florida Turnpike, and they’ll tell you: toll roads are one of the biggest drains on the budget. For me personally, tolls were my second largest business expense after fuel. —Continue reading “Series 10: The Hidden Cost of Tolls: How They Impact Independent Contractors”

When you become an independent contractor in trucking, you stop being “just a driver” and start being a business owner. That means Uncle Sam becomes your silent partner — and he always wants his cut. Taxes are one of the biggest blind spots for new owner-operators. If you don’t plan for them, they can buryContinue reading “Series 9: Taxes in Trucking: What Independent Contractors Need to Know”

You can teach someone to shift gears, back into a dock, or run a logbook. But you can’t teach attitude. Attitude is what separates the professionals from the “steering wheel holders.” It shapes how you handle stress, how dispatch sees you, how shippers treat you, and even how much money you make. After 47 yearsContinue reading “Series 8: Driver Attitude: The Mindset That Makes or Breaks a Trucker”

Few things make a trucker groan like seeing that “All Trucks Must Enter” sign lit up at a weigh station. But weigh stations are part of the job, and how you handle them can mean the difference between rolling on or sitting for hours. After years of running through scales across the country, here’s theContinue reading “Series 7: Weigh Stations & Inspections: What Every Driver Needs to Know”

Every trucker knows the Department of Transportation (DOT) has rules for everything we do — from hours of service to truck inspections. Some drivers see it as nothing but red tape, but the truth is: knowing and following DOT regulations is the difference between running smooth or getting sidelined. After decades of driving, here’s whatContinue reading “Series 6: DOT Rules & Regulations: Staying Compliant on the Road”