Expenses On The Road, What Expenses?

Ok, so I'm brand new at this. I'm thinking about quitting my day job and becoming a driver. I'm currently researching schools and starting to make plans. One of the things I don't understand yet is what expenses come out of the cpm? I'm sure it varies company to company and the type of contract, etc. If I were to make, say .40 cents a mile, other than personal stuff like food and taxes, what else would come out of the .40 cents?

Hello Stan, and welcome aboard!

The only expenses that will be taken out of your check are taxes, and your insurance if you sign up for it. I'm not sure where you got the idea that personal expenses for food would be covered and then deducted from your mileage pay. You will be responsible for feeding yourself - that is the biggest expense while living a travelling lifestyle. You can learn to reduce the costs by keeping a refrigerator in your truck and learning to make some of your own meals in your truck. I enjoy cooking with a crock-pot in my truck.

Other expenses that you will incur are things like laundry, occasionally you may have to pay a toll (that will be reimbursed to you), you'll have your cell phone service, internet connection, and possibly entertainment. Food will by far be the biggest expense you have.

While you are thinking about all this take a look at our Truck Driver's Career Guide, you'll get a real education about all this stuff if you follow all the links in there. You would probably enjoy and benefit from reading this free on-line version of Brett's Book, it's a great and easy read that will give you a good idea of what it's like living on the road.

As a company driver -

Miles × CPM = Gross wage.

From your gross, subtract non taxable deductions like 401k contributions.

Then subtract state and federal tax, social security and medicare,

Health dental and vision insurance, short and long term disability plans come out next.

Now take out any 401k loan repayment, cash advances, and any amounts that your employer has deemed you responsible for - load locks, safety equipment etc ( though IMO all equipment should be supplied that is necessy for the job).

The result should be your net figure. And may it be as large as possible, sir.

Hello Stan, and welcome aboard!

The only expenses that will be taken out of your check are taxes, and your insurance if you sign up for it. I'm not sure where you got the idea that personal expenses for food would be covered and then deducted from your mileage pay. You will be responsible for feeding yourself - that is the biggest expense while living a travelling lifestyle. You can learn to reduce the costs by keeping a refrigerator in your truck and learning to make some of your own meals in your truck. I enjoy cooking with a crock-pot in my truck.

Other expenses that you will incur are things like laundry, occasionally you may have to pay a toll (that will be reimbursed to you), you'll have your cell phone service, internet connection, and possibly entertainment. Food will by far be the biggest expense you have.

While you are thinking about all this take a look at our Truck Driver's Career Guide, you'll get a real education about all this stuff if you follow all the links in there. You would probably enjoy and benefit from reading this free on-line version of Brett's Book, it's a great and easy read that will give you a good idea of what it's like living on the road.

Sorry, I was a little vague. What I meant was, what would I pay for and what would the company cover expense wise. How are things like fuel, truck maintenance, tolls, etc. paid for? I've had jobs that promised a set commission, then deducted things like desk space, phone calls, office supplies and such. It wasn't a very pleasant surprise.

Okay Stan, I see what you are after now. Yeah sometimes those little surprises can really take a bite out of your pay.

You'll be glad to know that one of the really great benefits of working with a large trucking company is that they have national accounts set up all over the country, and when you break down or have a flat tire you just make a phone call to the breakdown department and they handle it from there. They will get a wrecker set up or a tire truck on the way as quick as they can, and you won't have to pay a dime for it. I've never been out any expenses of any consequence, and even the small unexpected expenses I've had were paid back to me on the very next paycheck. All the large carriers have some sort of system in place to handle these things. The only expenses I've ever had were small tolls, maybe at the most it cost me 25.00. Most of your large companies have an EZ pass type of system in the trucks that takes care of the tolls, but for some reason at the company I work there are a few states where it doesn't work on the toll roads. So in those states I will pay the toll, then send in the receipt with my paperwork for that particular load, and it gets put right on my next paycheck.

When it comes to fuel you will have a company fuel card. Here again they will have a system set up to keep you rolling, and also controls in place to keep you from being able to take advantage of the company by using this card illegitimately.