A Week in The Life of a Non CDL Hotshot in 2024 With 9mo Old Authority!!

Thanks for watching! My videos will get better from here on out, I purchased a go-pro. I look forward to sharing my journey as I try to keep my hotshot business afloat and thriving as a non-CDL, west coast driver in 2024. Subscribe if you want to see more!

[@jbsanger696]

Interesting information.. i live in California.. so non cdl is limited to less then 10'000 lbs on the trailers? Great video

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

From what I’ve read and also been told while getting a Level 1 at a scale, you have to have a CDL if you want to haul 10k and up in California. I’ve had 10k or a little more a few times and been fine, but I’m never completely comfortable while doing it just because one officer said it’s ok. It feels like I’m rolling the dice for sure, so I try to steer clear until my CDL is done.

[@jbsanger696]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots are planning on getting a bigger trailer or semi? Just curious

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I’m almost done with my CDL and then I’ll either get a dually with a 40ft dual tandem, or maybe go a bit bigger.

[@TravisWood117]

What load board service do you use? I'm working on getting into non CDL myself. Thanks!

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I only use Internet Truckstop right now. I’ve used DAT and Central Dispatch, but I got rid of those 2 because I’m able to find what I need from ITS. Good luck when you get rolling!!

[@rickreed9525]

Awesome work. Are you open for hire in lower mainland?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

Thank you!! I’m sorry but can you expand a little? Are you asking if I’m open to hauling in the lower, or are you asking if I’m hiring or leasing on? I appreciate the comment by the way!

[@rickreed9525]

@Blue_Sky_Hotshots companys have freight calls. Some times need a truck and trailer for over flow pick ups. Just curious if your working in those areas?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I’ve never heard of it honestly. I primarily work I-5 and sometimes bounce off towards the rest of the Western 11.

[@mikelopez4148]

Where do I even start an authority at the dmv???

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

FMCSA website. You can apply for a DOT Number (which is free) and an MC Number (costs $300). It gets reviewed and takes roughly 3 weeks and you’ll need to then get your commercial insurance before they will activate it.

[@mikelopez4148]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots any cheap insurance you recommend? I just got a dodge ram 2500 .

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

You’ll likely only qualify for Progressive, that’s what most Hotshot’s use. Be prepared for it to likely be your most expensive purchase besides fuel though.

[@hasty-carnaage1518]

​@Blue_Sky_Hotshots my roomate is getting into a new job doing stepdeck otr work. Moving from a flatbed semi. Also has his doubles and tanker endorse. He really wants to get me into hotshot and try to lease out under his new boss. Im definitely excited to see how well i could make it work but i would be moving towards getting my CDL. I dont know if id want to move to a semi but a 4500 dually and a 50ft trailer is damn near that already. And that seems like the only way to make any real money doing hotshot

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

@@hasty-carnaage1518 that’s the way to go if you want to run a bigger trailer. Grab a 4500 or 5500 and a step deck, or if you can find a nice used semi then just go that route. It’s a tough call.

[@jesustorres9961]

How can i get in this?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

You can either start your own authority or lease onto a company to use their aged authority and have them dispatch you. Starting your own isn’t easy but it’s possible, you just have to put most of your effort into building relationships with really good brokers and try to load out of the same places that pay well. I plan on making a video about how I started my company and how I went about building the relationships with brokers/customers, that way you don’t have to rely on the load boards.

[@johndonovan7018]

dude no cdl driving commercially is a big nono. they dont care about GVW here. you will get busted for it, matter of time. if nothing else they at least will want you to conform to commercial hours which means a logbook. that might save you here and there but its just a matter of time as i said. many have tried to skirt like so.. never works out. ib4ivedoneitfotxyztime comments. blahditty blah

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I have electronic logs as a non CDL and have been pulled in at the scales twice (I’m assuming you’re talking about California?) in California for level 1 inspections and was good to go. I’ve heard of guys getting hit if they run without apportioned plates? I have those registered at 26,000lbs so I think that’s why I’m ok here and in a few other states. Is that what you were talking about?

[@johndonovan7018]

ok right you have logs which helps. that will help but eventually somebody will make a stink about commercial driving without endorsement. how long that takes depends on how clean you are with everything else and where you run. the reason they dont want you doing it with without CDL is because the penalties are different between the licenses and they feel you are cheating the system by getting regular fines while doing commercial work. @@Blue_Sky_Hotshots

[@Jack-fr8ji]

You probably won’t hear from him anymore 😂

[@johndonovan7018]

from who @@Jack-fr8ji