Hotshot Startup Costs: The Checklist and Expense Worksheet
Starting a hotshot business is a list of purchases, filings and deposits. Prices swing a lot by state, equipment and driving record, so this page doesn't guess at them. It gives you the full list and a worksheet to fill in with your own quotes.
Last updated: 9 min readBy OverTheRoad.AI Team
Free tool: See what a load pays after fuelTry it →The startup checklist
Tick items off as you go. Your progress saves on this device.
Your working checklist
Tap items as you finish them — progress saves on this device
Which filings apply depends on weight. The hotshot CDL, IFTA, 2290 and DOT guide lays out each line. The full federal filing order is in the trucking authority checklist.
The startup cost worksheet
Print this or copy it into a note. Write a real quote next to each line, then add the column.
Truck down payment or purchase
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once (then monthly payment)
- Your number
- $ ______
Trailer down payment or purchase
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once (then monthly payment)
- Your number
- $ ______
Securement gear
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once, replace as worn
- Your number
- $ ______
Business setup (LLC, bank)
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once, some yearly fees
- Your number
- $ ______
For-hire authority + BOC-3
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once
- Your number
- $ ______
Insurance down payment
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once (then monthly)
- Your number
- $ ______
UCR, plates, IRP, IFTA
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Yearly
- Your number
- $ ______
Medical exam, CDL (if needed)
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Every 1–2 years / once
- Your number
- $ ______
ELD, phone, apps
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Monthly
- Your number
- $ ______
Cash reserve
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Once
- Your number
- $ ______
Total to start
- Paid once or ongoing?
- Your number
- $ ______
| Cost | Paid once or ongoing? | Your number |
|---|---|---|
| Truck down payment or purchase | Once (then monthly payment) | $ ______ |
| Trailer down payment or purchase | Once (then monthly payment) | $ ______ |
| Securement gear | Once, replace as worn | $ ______ |
| Business setup (LLC, bank) | Once, some yearly fees | $ ______ |
| For-hire authority + BOC-3 | Once | $ ______ |
| Insurance down payment | Once (then monthly) | $ ______ |
| UCR, plates, IRP, IFTA | Yearly | $ ______ |
| Medical exam, CDL (if needed) | Every 1–2 years / once | $ ______ |
| ELD, phone, apps | Monthly | $ ______ |
| Cash reserve | Once | $ ______ |
| Total to start | $ ______ |
Pro Tip
Ask insurance agents for quotes before you buy the truck. The quote can change which truck and trailer make sense, and it can be one of the biggest lines on the sheet.
The monthly expense checklist
Once you are rolling, these are the costs to track every month:
- Fixed: truck payment, trailer payment, insurance, phone and data, software, parking, plates and permits (spread over 12 months).
- Per mile: fuel (diesel and DEF), tires, oil and maintenance, repairs.
- Per load: load board fees, factoring fees if you factor, tolls, scales, lumper or wash-out costs.
- On the road: meals and lodging — see the per diem guide for how meals are deducted.
The full deductions list covers how each one goes on your Schedule C. To turn the list into a cost per mile, use the cost-per-mile worksheet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start a hotshot business?
It depends mostly on the truck and trailer you buy, your insurance quote, and your base state's plates and permits — those swing more than anything else. Use the worksheet on this page with real quotes. The fixed federal pieces are small next to equipment and insurance: the USDOT number is free and for-hire authority registration is $300.
What are the monthly costs of running a hotshot?
Fixed monthly costs are the truck and trailer payments, insurance, phone and software, plates and permits spread over the year, and any parking. Running costs that grow with miles are fuel, tires, maintenance and repairs. Add the fixed costs, divide by the miles you run each month, and add the per-mile running costs to get your cost per mile.
Do I need a CDL to start hotshot trucking?
Not always. A CDL is needed when the truck and trailer together are rated 26,001 lb or more and the trailer is over 10,000 lb. Some drivers start with a combination rated 26,000 lb or less to run without a CDL. A USDOT number and DOT medical card still apply at 10,001 lb in interstate commerce.
Which hotshot startup costs are tax deductible?
Ordinary business costs — insurance, permits, fuel, repairs, phone, and similar — are generally deductible on Schedule C. Equipment such as the truck and trailer is usually recovered through depreciation or a Section 179 election rather than all at once. Rules depend on your situation, so confirm with your tax professional.
Sources
- FMCSA — Do I need a USDOT number?
- FMCSA — Commercial driver's license
- IFTA, Inc. — International Fuel Tax Agreement
- IRS — About Form 2290 (Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax)
- IRS — About Schedule C (Profit or Loss From Business)
Rules and fees change. Confirm with your base state and the agency before you file.
Related Guides
Want your real cost per mile in 3 minutes?
Drop a settlement or rate con — our free analyzer pulls CPM, RPM, broker margin, and IFTA prep.