Find a Carrier to Lease On With
Own a dry van, reefer, flatbed, or any commercial truck — but no MC? We connect you with FMCSA-authorised carriers actively looking for owner-operators. They provide the authority and insurance; typical splits run 75–85% to you.
Key Takeaways
- Lease-on means running your own truck under an established carrier's MC authority instead of registering your own.
- O Trucking does not hold carrier authority — we introduce you to FMCSA-authorised carriers who do, and the lease agreement is between you and that carrier.
- Lease-on splits typically run 75–85% of the load to the owner-operator, but the exact split, deductions and escrow terms are set by the carrier.
- Most owner-operators are running freight within 7–10 days of applying, depending on the carrier's onboarding.
- Lease-on suits owner-operators without their own MC; those who already hold MC authority use O Trucking's flat-rate dispatch instead.
Why Lease On With O Trucking
You bring the truck and the work ethic. We handle authority, insurance, freight, and the paperwork that drains your evenings.
Keep 75–85% of Gross
Typical lease-on splits in our carrier network. Brokered loads around 75%, direct shipper contracts up to 85% — the carrier sets the final number.
Carrier's MC + Insurance
Skip the $300–800/month cost of running your own MC. Cargo and auto liability sit under the partner carrier's policy, not yours.
Load Access
Our partner carriers bring direct shipper contracts, broker networks and load board access, so you're not chasing $1.80/mile freight.
Paperwork Handled
BOC-3, IFTA, 2290 HVUT, IRP, ELD compliance and drug screening are handled under the carrier's authority, not yours.
24/7 Dispatch
Real humans answering calls at 3 AM when your truck breaks down or a load goes sideways.
Factoring at 1.5–2.5%
Most independent factoring runs 3–5%. Our partner pricing saves you ~$3,000/year on a $150k gross.
Equipment-Specific Lease-On Programs
Each equipment type has different pay rates, freight types, and requirements. Click your equipment for full details.
Dry Van
Consumer goods, manufactured products, retail distribution. Highest freight volume of any equipment class — never short on loads.
Reefer
Produce, frozen food, beverages, dairy, meat, pharmaceutical. Year-round demand with peaks in summer (produce) and winter (frozen retail). 15–25% rate premium over dry van.
Flatbed
Steel coils, lumber, building materials, machinery, oilfield equipment, pipe. Demand correlates with construction season — peaks Mar–Oct.
Step Deck
Construction equipment, manufactured machinery, agricultural implements, wind blades, oversize containers. Often requires permits — we handle permitting through our oversize team.
Power Only
Pre-loaded shipper trailers, intermodal containers, FedEx Ground / Amazon Relay / Walmart drop-and-hook routes. Lower revenue per load but higher utilization (less detention, faster turns).
Box Truck
Last-mile delivery, Amazon Relay routes, expedited shipments, residential delivery. Higher rate per mile than tractor freight but lower total miles per week.
Hotshot
Time-critical heavy parts, oilfield equipment, construction supplies, agricultural machinery. Loads where the shipper needs it tomorrow, not next week. Premium rates for speed.
Apply to Lease On
Tell us about your truck and your driving history. Our lease-on team responds within 1-2 business days.
Lease-On FAQs
Straight answers about how the program works, what you keep, and what we handle.
What is a trucking lease-on program?
Lease-on is when an owner-operator who owns their truck runs under another carrier's MC authority. That host carrier provides the MC, DOT number, insurance and load access; the owner-operator provides the truck and the labour. Pay is split — typically 75–85% to the owner-operator. O Trucking is not the host carrier: we connect you with FMCSA-authorised carriers who are actively looking for owner-operators to lease on.
Does O Trucking provide the MC authority and insurance?
No. O Trucking is a dispatch and placement service — we do not hold carrier authority and we do not broker freight. On a lease-on, the MC authority, the DOT number and the insurance all belong to the partner carrier you lease onto. You sign your lease agreement with that carrier, and they are the party responsible for authority and coverage. Always confirm a carrier's authority and insurance yourself on the FMCSA SAFER system before you sign anything.
How is lease-on different from dispatch service?
Dispatch service is for owner-operators who already have their OWN MC authority and just need someone finding loads — a flat weekly fee of $250/wk for semis, $350/wk for box truck and hotshot, unlimited loads. Lease-on is for those WITHOUT their own MC: instead of registering with FMCSA, filing a BOC-3 and carrying your own insurance, you run under a partner carrier's authority and they handle that compliance. We make the introduction to a carrier whose programme fits your equipment.
How much do lease-on drivers earn?
Earnings depend on equipment, miles and the individual carrier's pay package. A solo dry-van lease-on typically grosses $95k–165k/year and reefer runs $120k–190k, though the split and deductions are set by the carrier you lease onto, not by us. After fuel, truck payment and maintenance, take-home is usually 50–60% of gross. Get the exact percentage, deductions and escrow terms in writing from the carrier before you commit.
Do I need my own truck to lease on?
Yes, lease-on requires you to own (or finance) your truck. If you don't have a truck, see our /careers/ page for company driving positions instead.
What equipment types can you place?
Dry van, reefer, flatbed, step-deck, power-only, box truck, and hotshot. Carrier requirements and pay structures differ by equipment — see the equipment-specific pages below for what the carriers in our network are currently looking for.
What's required to lease on?
Own/finance the truck (and trailer if applicable). Valid CDL Class A (Class B or non-CDL OK for box truck). 1+ year OTR experience preferred. Clean MVR (no major violations 3 years). Pass DOT physical + drug screen. Be 21+. Individual carriers set their own additional requirements.
How fast can I start?
Most owner-operators are running freight within 7–10 days of applying, depending on the carrier's onboarding. That typically covers orientation, DOT paperwork, ELD installation and getting you added to the carrier's insurance — all handled by the carrier you lease onto.
What does O Trucking charge for this?
Nothing to apply. We match you with carriers in our network that fit your equipment and location. If you later activate your own MC authority, our separate dispatch service is a flat $250/wk for semis and $350/wk for box truck and hotshot.
Can I cancel and run on my own MC later?
Yes — lease agreements are between you and the carrier, and most have no minimum length, but check the termination and escrow-return terms in your specific agreement. Many owner-operators lease on to build capital and then activate their own authority, at which point our flat-rate dispatch service becomes the cheaper option.
Ready to Find a Carrier?
No authority of your own needed. Tell us your equipment and where you run, and we'll match you with FMCSA-authorised carriers looking for owner-operators.