Texas Trucking Company

Hot shot trucking involves the transportation of small, time-sensitive less-than-truckload (LTL) shipments, typically delivered within a specified timeframe to a single customer or location. These loads are usually transported by medium-duty trucks with flatbed trailers, allowing for quick and efficient delivery of essential goods.

Hot shot trucking typically uses medium-duty trucks with capacities ranging from ¾-ton to 1.5-ton, equipped with versatile hitch options like gooseneck and fifth-wheel hitches. These trucks are often paired with load-balancing trailers, enabling them to efficiently and safely transport a wide variety of equipment.

This configuration allows hot shot truckers to handle loads of varying sizes and weights, making it an ideal choice for industries with time-sensitive delivery needs, including construction, agriculture, and oil and gas. Load-balancing trailers help evenly distribute weight across the axles, enhancing stability and fuel efficiency, especially during long hauls. Additionally, many drivers customize their trucks with heavy-duty towing packages, upgraded suspensions, and advanced braking systems to manage heavier loads safely while adhering to DOT regulations.

Load boards, also known as freight boards, are online platforms where brokers and shippers post available shipments, allowing drivers to find hot shot loads. These platforms typically allow drivers to filter loads based on key factors like weight class, payout, and delivery requirements, helping them choose jobs that align with their vehicle capacity and earning objectives.

Using load boards helps drivers streamline the process of finding suitable loads, reducing downtime between jobs and maximizing profitability. Many load boards offer additional tools such as real-time tracking, estimated fuel costs, and route optimization, which assist drivers in managing their schedules and improving efficiency.

Texas serves as a central hub for North American freight movement. With its proximity to major trade routes, such as the U.S.-Mexico border, the Gulf of Mexico, and connections to other southern and central states, Texas facilitates the efficient transport of goods domestically and internationally.

Texas’s diverse economy generates a constant need for trucking. Industries like oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, and retail rely heavily on freight transportation. The Port of Houston, one of the largest ports in the United States, also contributes significantly to the demand for trucking services.

Yes, truckers are in high demand in Texas, and the need for skilled drivers continues to grow. Texas has a thriving economy with key sectors like oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, technology, and retail. These industries rely heavily on trucking to transport goods across the state and beyond.

Texas is also a major gateway for international trade, particularly with Mexico. The U.S.-Mexico border crossings, such as those in Laredo and El Paso, drive significant demand for cross-border trucking.

The oilfields of West Texas, particularly in the Permian Basin, require specialized trucking services like hot shot trucking, heavy hauling, and tanker transport.

Hot shot trucking pay in Texas can vary widely based on factors such as experience, load type, distance, and specific industry demand. Generally, hot shot truckers in Texas earn between $1.50 and $2.50 per mile, with rates potentially going higher for specialized loads or urgent deliveries. On average, many hot shot drivers in Texas can make around $50,000 to $80,000 annually, though experienced or well-connected drivers can earn upwards of $100,000 if they consistently secure high-paying loads.

The income potential also depends on the trucker’s business model. Owner-operators who handle their own dispatching and have direct clients often have higher earning potential since they avoid broker fees, though they bear more responsibility for operational costs. Additionally, oilfield-related hot shot trucking, which is common in Texas, can yield higher pay due to demand and the challenging nature of the work. However, like other trucking jobs, hot shot rates are sensitive to market changes, including fuel prices and demand fluctuations.

Non-CDL hot shot drivers should typically select a trailer between 30 and 40 feet in length. This range helps ensure that the combined weight of the truck, trailer, and cargo remains under the 26,000-pound limit, which is the maximum weight allowed before a CDL becomes required.

Choosing a trailer within this size range enables non-CDL drivers to handle a variety of loads while staying compliant with DOT regulations. A 30-40 foot trailer provides enough room for transporting most types of hot shot freight, such as construction materials or smaller machinery, without exceeding weight restrictions. To further optimize their setup, many non-CDL drivers opt for lightweight trailer materials like aluminum to reduce the overall weight and maximize cargo capacity.

The highest-paying hotshot loads typically include:

• Time-Sensitive Freight: Urgent deliveries, such as critical parts for manufacturing or repair operations, often pay more as clients need them quickly to avoid costly downtime. These loads are ideal for hot shot trucking, where flexibility and rapid response are valued.
• Construction Equipment: Heavy machinery like excavators and skid steers often pays well due to sizes and weights.
• Oversized Loads: Any cargo that requires special permits or escorts usually commands a premium.
• Oil and Gas Equipment: Transporting equipment or parts to remote oil fields, such as pipes, valves, and drilling machinery, can pay well because of the challenging locations and the industry’s high demand for reliable, quick deliveries.
• High-Value Items:Loads with valuable equipment or materials—such as specialized electronics or medical devices—often come with increased pay due to the need for extra care and secure handling during transport

Focusing on these types of loads can increase profitability for hot shot drivers, especially when paired with the flexibility to take on last-minute or hard-to-access jobs that many standard carriers may not offer.

To operate as a hot shot trucker in Texas, the type of license you need depends on the weight of your truck and trailer, as well as the nature of the loads you carry.

1. For Loads Under 26,000 Pounds:

If your truck and trailer’s combined Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is under 26,000 pounds and you’re hauling general freight (non-hazardous), a standard Texas Class C driver’s license is typically sufficient. This license covers most smaller hot shot setups, like a dually truck with a lightweight trailer.

2. For Loads Over 26,000 Pounds or Hazardous Materials:

If your truck and trailer combined exceed 26,000 pounds, or if you’re hauling hazardous materials, you’ll need a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), specifically a Class A CDL in most cases. Additionally, if you’re transporting any hazardous materials, you may also need a Hazmat endorsement, which requires additional testing and background checks.

3. DOT Number and Insurance:

Regardless of whether a CDL is required, any hot shot operation engaging in interstate commerce or transporting for hire across state lines will need a USDOT number. Intrastate carriers may also require a TXDOT number if they are operating only within Texas. You’ll also need to ensure your vehicle meets insurance requirements for commercial carriers.

While some smaller hot shot operations can be done without a CDL, having one often increases the type of loads you’re eligible to carry, expanding your earning potential.