After Two Weeks On The Road As A Drive Away Driver I Can Answer Questions

So when I first posted about being a drive away driver I had many questions, well after two weeks I can answer questions. If anyone has questions send me a PM and I will give my cell number is someone has several questions.

What is Drive away?

In a nutshell, any vehicle that needs to be moved from point A to point B that requires a cdl and in some cases does not.

Who do you work for?

I am 1099 independent contractor, some drivers work for several companies I'm focused on one company for now.

whats the pay?

All CDL drivers are between .50 cpm and .75 cpm depending on the truck even if it doesn't require a cdl .............non cdl drivers make .45 cpm

So it's like being an O/O?

Yes and no....the company pays for fuel/ tolls and on longer runs will pay 50 dollars a night for hotel room. If I want to take a week off I can. To stay on the company books they ask you drive 600 miles a month.

How many miles are you getting?

first week was 1800 this week 2300

How do you get paid?

You can get an advance of 275 a day and at the end of each run you submit all receipts for fuel and tolls and approved hotels. you keep the originals to claim on taxes. you receive your payment 2 days after you submit your paperwork.

How do you get from one load to another?

Lots of drivers use greyhound, rental cars (sometimes paid by company) or use a tow car.

What do you drive?

So far a Fed ex van non cdl, a 26 ft custom box truck, a firetruck, and a few sleeper cabs. The box truck had the most miles at 2000 the Van had 30 miles.

Anything else we should know?

I'm enjoying it so far, making over 1000 a week clear and there is no force dispatch so I have a say in where I go and when.

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPANIES DO THIS KIND OF WORK BUT DON'T PAY AS WELL AND HAVE A POOR TRACK RECORD, MY COMPANY HAS PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED FOR THEM FOR 15 YEARS.

Again any questions post them here and send me a pm

Which company are you with? Id like to find out more as im about to start with drive away specalist and work for mamo. Please contact me

So when I first posted about being a drive away driver I had many questions, well after two weeks I can answer questions. If anyone has questions send me a PM and I will give my cell number is someone has several questions.

What is Drive away?

In a nutshell, any vehicle that needs to be moved from point A to point B that requires a cdl and in some cases does not.

Who do you work for?

I am 1099 independent contractor, some drivers work for several companies I'm focused on one company for now.

whats the pay?

All CDL drivers are between .50 cpm and .75 cpm depending on the truck even if it doesn't require a cdl .............non cdl drivers make .45 cpm

So it's like being an O/O?

Yes and no....the company pays for fuel/ tolls and on longer runs will pay 50 dollars a night for hotel room. If I want to take a week off I can. To stay on the company books they ask you drive 600 miles a month.

How many miles are you getting?

first week was 1800 this week 2300

How do you get paid?

You can get an advance of 275 a day and at the end of each run you submit all receipts for fuel and tolls and approved hotels. you keep the originals to claim on taxes. you receive your payment 2 days after you submit your paperwork.

How do you get from one load to another?

Lots of drivers use greyhound, rental cars (sometimes paid by company) or use a tow car.

What do you drive?

So far a Fed ex van non cdl, a 26 ft custom box truck, a firetruck, and a few sleeper cabs. The box truck had the most miles at 2000 the Van had 30 miles.

Anything else we should know?

I'm enjoying it so far, making over 1000 a week clear and there is no force dispatch so I have a say in where I go and when.

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPANIES DO THIS KIND OF WORK BUT DON'T PAY AS WELL AND HAVE A POOR TRACK RECORD, MY COMPANY HAS PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED FOR THEM FOR 15 YEARS.

Again any questions post them here and send me a pm

If the bus and rental cars aren't paid by the compnay than what are you really clearing?

Pm has been disabled. Post your contact info here, or edit your profile and post your social page.

Thats what i want to know. I know you.can get new runs but have to get to location or have a tow car

If the bus and rental cars aren't paid by the compnay than what are you really clearing?

I work for several companies including one that pays for all transportation including flights. They even pay for me to get home and back out on the road.

Didn't answer the question and is vague. The point is... how would someone find the job and or company to inquire? Otherwise you posted useless information

I guess I misunderstood the question. So if you want to reask it feel free but to answer the question as I understand it.... I don't pay for my transportation anymore so to break it down. A box truck lets say 33000 GVWR requires a CDL I get paid 50 CPM plus all fuel (on a fuel card) all travel including rentals paid for. Every 500 miles dispatched includes 45 dollars for a hotel. If I have to get the vehicle registered or a d.o.t inspection (not a road side) then I get paid for that.

so for easy math a 1000 mile run would pay 50% once I pick of the truck so $250 dollars plus 90 dollars total for the hotels. The other 50% get paid once all paperwork is set in. lets say I didn't need to register the truck. 1000 miles is two days, I like comfort inn's so if the hotel is 65 a night I'm paying 20 a night out of pocket so my 500 becomes 460.... 30 for food ....430. if I do three runs like that in a week 430x3=1290. I hope this helps.

"Clear" means after taxes/expenses. You mentioned this is a 1099 job. That means you must pay your own Social Security/ Medicare taxes, Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax. Those will total a minimum of 30-35% of your gross. Also, you are required by Federal Law to purchase Health Insurance. Don't forget you are not covered by Workmans Comp or Unemployment benefits. As a Self Employed Contractor, you are also required to pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes. If you are not familiar with what that is, you must estimate your income for the next quarter, and pay your taxes in advance of earning that income. I sure hope you are familiar with self employment tax law. The interest and penalties add up fast! I am not trying to Dog on you, just want you to be aware of your tax liabilities as a 1099 Contractor. I know of what I speak. I have had EXPERIENCE with all of the above, and had the IRS up my a$$ and in my bank account for several years. 1099 Contractors are an easy target for the IRS. If you are aware of the above information then you are miles ahead of 90% of the people that take a 1099 position with any Company. That $1000-1200 check they write you every week can turn into $500-600 in your pocket in the end. Good Luck!

"Clear" means after taxes/expenses. You mentioned this is a 1099 job. That means you must pay your own Social Security/ Medicare taxes, Federal Income Tax, State Income Tax. Those will total a minimum of 30-35% of your gross. Also, you are required by Federal Law to purchase Health Insurance. Don't forget you are not covered by Workmans Comp or Unemployment benefits. As a Self Employed Contractor, you are also required to pay Quarterly Estimated Taxes. If you are not familiar with what that is, you must estimate your income for the next quarter, and pay your taxes in advance of earning that income. I sure hope you are familiar with self employment tax law. The interest and penalties add up fast! I am not trying to Dog on you, just want you to be aware of your tax liabilities as a 1099 Contractor. I know of what I speak. I have had EXPERIENCE with all of the above, and had the IRS up my a$$ and in my bank account for several years. 1099 Contractors are an easy target for the IRS. If you are aware of the above information then you are miles ahead of 90% of the people that take a 1099 position with any Company. That $1000-1200 check they write you every week can turn into $500-600 in your pocket in the end. Good Luck!

I am aware how 1099 works as I have been doing it for the better part of 15 years. Everything I do is a tax write off, from fuel to tolls to dinner and hotels, my cell phone is used for than 60% for work and is a write off. As a vet I have healthcare coverage. I carry my own workmans comp insurance in the form of a large savings account that could cover me for 2 solid years. I also work 2-3 weeks then take 2 weeks off...try doing that with a trucking company.