If you are trying to enter the trucking industry but have not yet obtained a commercial driver’s license, non-CDL hotshot and expedited freight can give you a way to start gaining experience.

But you need to understand what “non-CDL” actually means. It does not mean that you can attach any trailer you want to a pickup truck and legally haul freight simply because you have an ordinary driver’s license.

Your vehicle configuration, weight ratings, freight and operating area still matter.

You also need to understand the difference between leasing on and leasing a vehicle.

When you lease on with a carrier, you normally own your pickup, cargo van, Sprinter van or other equipment and sign an agreement allowing you to operate that equipment under the carrier’s operating authority.

The carrier may provide dispatch, freight, insurance arrangements, compliance support, fuel programs and billing.

If you do not own a vehicle, you instead need a fleet-owner driving opportunity, rental arrangement or lease-purchase program.

With that out of the way, here are some of the better current companies to investigate if you want to operate without a Class A or Class B CDL.

What Qualifies as Non-CDL Hotshot Trucking?

Under federal CDL rules, a Class A CDL is generally required when you operate a combination with a gross combination weight rating or actual gross combination weight of at least 26,001 pounds and the towed unit exceeds 10,000 pounds.

A Class B CDL generally applies to a single vehicle weighing or rated at 26,001 pounds or more.

This means a properly configured pickup-and-trailer combination can potentially operate without a Class A CDL when the combination remains below the applicable 26,001-pound threshold.

However, there is another number you need to understand: 10,001 pounds.

Commercial vehicles or combinations used in interstate commerce can become subject to various Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations once their GVWR, GVW, GCWR or GCW reaches 10,001 pounds, even though the driver may not need a CDL.

That can mean requirements involving a USDOT number, medical qualification, hours-of-service records, inspections, cargo securement and other rules depending on the operation.

So “non-CDL” should never be interpreted as “no trucking regulations.” If you eventually want to haul heavier loads with a one-ton dually and large gooseneck trailer, obtaining your CDL can substantially expand the freight you are legally able to accept.

Non-CDL Hot Shot and Expedited Companies to Lease On With

1. 365 Hotshot LLC

365 Hotshot is particularly relevant because the company specifically states that its lease-on program was designed for both CDL and non-CDL hotshot owner-operators.

This is much closer to what most people picture when they hear “non-CDL hotshot.”

The company works with pickup trucks and gooseneck flatbed trailers and provides services such as dispatching, freight negotiation and compliance support.

365 also advertises access to 40-foot hotshot trailer rentals in both CDL and non-CDL configurations.

That can be useful if you already own the correct truck but do not yet own a trailer.

The company says it has partnered with a compliance provider to help drivers understand applicable FMCSA requirements.

Do not rely entirely on a carrier to determine whether your setup is legal, however.

You should independently verify the GVWR and GCWR of your truck and trailer before hauling freight.

Good fit for: Someone who already owns a suitable heavy-duty pickup and wants to enter traditional pickup-and-gooseneck hotshot trucking without a CDL.

2. Adams Freight & Logistics

Adams Freight & Logistics is another useful option because its current owner-operator program specifically recognizes both CDL and non-CDL drivers.

Its core hotshot equipment includes:

3/4-ton and one-ton pickups paired with 30- to 40-foot gooseneck trailers.

The company currently requires a valid license appropriate for the equipment you intend to operate, a current DOT medical card, registration, an annual DOT inspection and a scale ticket showing the rig’s weight.

That is a much more realistic picture of non-CDL hotshot trucking than the idea that all you need is a pickup and an ordinary driver’s license.

Adams Freight & Logistics operates as an owner-operator carrier rather than employing W-2 company drivers.

Your truck is leased onto its authority under an owner-operator agreement.

Good fit for: Someone who owns a 3/4-ton or one-ton pickup and gooseneck trailer and wants a carrier specifically familiar with non-CDL configurations.

3. Arrow Truckers

Arrow Truckers currently operates separate CDL-A and non-CDL divisions. Its non-CDL hotshot operation uses approximately 30- to 40-foot flatbed gooseneck trailers pulled by suitable pickup or cab-chassis trucks while keeping the combination below the CDL threshold.

The carrier provides operating authority, carrier insurance arrangements, dispatch, rate negotiation, paperwork, ELD support and weekly settlements.

Trailer rental and lease-to-own arrangements may also be available. One useful feature is that Arrow explicitly explains the lease-on relationship:

You provide the truck while the carrier provides the authority and back-office infrastructure.

That is the model newcomers should understand when comparing lease-on programs.

Be sure to examine all onboarding expenses, insurance deductions, trailer costs and other settlement deductions before signing.

Good fit for: Traditional non-CDL hotshot owner-operators who want dispatch and compliance support under an established carrier authority.

4. Suksess LLC

Suksess LLC explicitly recruits non-CDL hotshot operators using pickup trucks and gooseneck flatbed trailers.

Its current program provides dispatch, rate negotiation, administrative support, fuel-card savings and weekly settlements.

The company also lists ELD/GPS and insurance arrangements as part of its lease-on structure.

Drivers are expected to meet applicable requirements even though they do not hold a CDL.

This includes having a valid ordinary driver’s license and operating a legal non-CDL combination.

As with any smaller carrier, ask how much freight actually moves through the geographic area where you intend to operate.

A company can have an attractive lease percentage but still be a poor choice if you continually deadhead hundreds of miles between loads.

Good fit for: Pickup-and-gooseneck operators who want a smaller lease-on carrier specifically accepting non-CDL hotshot equipment.

5. V3 Transportation

V3 Transportation is particularly interesting if you would prefer expedited freight in a Sprinter or cargo van instead of pulling a flatbed trailer.

The company currently recruits Sprinter van owner-operators and clearly states that a CDL is not required for its Sprinter van operation.

V3 also says no previous experience is necessary for certain Sprinter opportunities.

The company specializes in expedited freight and works extensively with time-sensitive shipments. Its benefits for owner-operators currently include:

• No forced dispatch
• 24-hour dispatch
• Fuel surcharge
• Fuel and tire discount programs
• Direct deposit
• 99 percent no-touch freight

V3 currently advertises 72 percent of the load for Sprinter van owners, along with the fuel surcharge.

The company also has fleet-owner arrangements, which can be useful if you want to drive somebody else’s Sprinter before buying your own van.

Good fit for: A beginner who would rather enter OTR expedited freight with a Sprinter or cargo van than purchase a pickup and flatbed trailer.

6. Load One Transportation

Load One is another established expedited carrier that currently accepts Sprinter van owner-operators.

Its driver program separates Sprinter vans from Class B straight trucks and Class A tractor opportunities.

Sprinter applicants currently need at least several months of verifiable expedited experience with a positive work history.

That means Load One may not be the easiest first company for somebody who has never hauled freight professionally. But it can become an attractive option once you have some experience.

The company currently offers owner-operators benefits such as weekly settlements, fuel surcharge pass-through, insurance programs, a fuel card and a dedicated driver-management team.

Load One also requires vehicles to pass inspection before they are accepted.

Good fit for: Sprinter van owner-operators who already have some expedited-freight experience and want to work with a larger established carrier.

7. Panther Premium Logistics

Panther Premium Logistics, part of the ArcBest network, is one of the more recognizable names in expedited freight. Its network includes tractors, straight trucks and cargo vans.

Most importantly for this article, Panther currently states that no CDL or previous experience is required for cargo-van driving opportunities.

A driver can work for a fleet owner who supplies the van, which gives a newcomer an interesting alternative to immediately purchasing expensive equipment.

Panther also works with fleet owners who supply their own cargo vans and operate them under Panther’s authority. This distinction matters:

If you own one cargo van yourself, confirm Panther’s current owner-operator intake with a recruiter.

If you simply want to drive without buying equipment yet, a cargo-van fleet-driver position may be the more practical starting point.

Good fit for: Beginners who want to learn expedited freight in a cargo van without necessarily purchasing their own vehicle immediately.

8. Diligent Delivery Systems

Diligent Delivery Systems recruits independent contractor drivers and owner-operators across local, regional and nationwide markets. The equipment it accepts is unusually broad.

Options currently include fuel-efficient cars, full-size cargo vans, pickup trucks, box trucks, flatbeds, stake beds, trailers and goosenecks.

Its driver requirements focus on having a valid driver’s license, insurance, a suitable vehicle, acceptable driving history and the ability to pass applicable screening.

That makes Diligent worth investigating if you want to start below traditional CDL hotshot weight levels.

The company also operates medical delivery routes, which can provide another path into transportation for non-CDL drivers, although healthcare delivery comes with additional training and handling requirements.

Diligent is more of a broad expedited-delivery and independent-contractor operation than a pure 40-foot-gooseneck hotshot carrier.

Good fit for: Drivers with pickups or cargo vans who want local or regional delivery opportunities rather than committing immediately to long-haul flatbed hotshot trucking.

9. Hazel’s Expedited Freight

Hazel’s Expedited Freight remains a legitimate company from the original article, but the description needs to change considerably.

Hazel’s does not simply maintain a big inventory of non-CDL vans that anybody can rent.

It is an established expedited carrier that recruits both company drivers and owner-operators. Its current fleet includes:

1/2-ton to one-ton pickup trucks capable of carrying roughly 1,000 to 2,500 pounds and cargo, cube and Sprinter vans carrying approximately 3,500 pounds.

Its owner-operator recruiting application also allows candidates to identify the class of license they hold, including an ordinary Class D license.

Hazel’s freight is particularly concentrated in Texas, with operations in markets including Dallas, Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Corpus Christi.

Typical work includes same-day, expedited and hotshot deliveries. An additional benefit for owner-operators is that Hazel’s says it does not use forced dispatch and helps drivers find backhauls.

Good fit for: Texas-based drivers with pickups, cargo vans or other qualifying smaller equipment who want expedited freight and the possibility of returning home frequently.

Non-CDL Lease-On Companies Compared

Should You Start With a Cargo Van or Non-CDL Hotshot Rig?

If you are completely new to trucking, do not automatically assume that buying a one-ton dually and 40-foot trailer is the smartest first move. A cargo or Sprinter van has several advantages.

You do not need to maneuver a long trailer, cargo securement is usually simpler, fuel consumption can be lower and you can enter many expedited operations without a CDL.

However, cargo capacity is limited. A pickup-and-flatbed combination can carry freight that will never fit inside a van, including machinery, construction materials and equipment.

That can create access to better-paying loads. But the truck, trailer, fuel and maintenance can also cost substantially more.

Most importantly, you have to watch the combination’s weight rating carefully if your intention is to remain non-CDL.

Do not purchase equipment until you know exactly which carrier you intend to lease onto and have confirmed that the carrier accepts that particular truck-and-trailer configuration.

What Should You Ask Before Leasing On?

Before signing an owner-operator agreement, find out exactly how you will be paid and what comes out of your settlement.

Ask about the carrier’s percentage, insurance deductions, fuel surcharge, ELD fees, escrow, permits, trailer rental, weekly fixed costs and termination provisions.

You should also ask:

How much non-CDL freight does the carrier actually have?

A company may technically accept non-CDL equipment but have very few profitable loads suitable for it.

• Ask where those loads originate.
• Ask how much deadhead its non-CDL operators typically experience.
• Ask whether dispatch is forced.
• And ask current owner-operators what their actual experience has been before committing thousands of dollars to equipment.

Conclusion

You do not necessarily have to wait until you obtain a Class A CDL before entering freight transportation.

Cargo vans, Sprinter vans and properly configured non-CDL hotshot rigs can give you an opportunity to learn dispatch, freight handling, trip planning, customer service and the financial realities of operating a commercial vehicle.

Companies such as 365 Hotshot, Adams Freight & Logistics, Arrow Truckers and Suksess specifically target non-CDL hotshot operators, while V3, Load One, Panther, Diligent and Hazel’s provide opportunities around smaller expedited equipment.

Just remember that staying below the CDL threshold does not remove every DOT requirement.

Verify your exact equipment configuration and the carrier’s current requirements before spending money on a truck or trailer.