What is Transportation?
In general terms, transportation is the movement of any person or thing from one location to another. As for trucking, transportation is specific to cargo which may include products, materials, merchandise, produce, soil, etc. (with the exception of humans and illegal items such as drugs or weapons). Transporting, or to transport, involves moving freight and goods from point A to point B. A transportation invoice serves as a way to collect payment for goods that have already been delivered.
Department of Transportation (USDOT)
Truckers operating a vehicle that transports property (physical goods) or passengers for commercial purposes may be obliged to obtain a USDOT Number. No matter the case, if the truck weighs over 10,000 lbs, the owner is required to obtain a USDOT Number. Other factors that will require an owner of a truck to obtain a USDOT Number are:
- Transporting between 9-15 passengers for compensation.
- Transporting over 16 passengers for any reason.
- Transporting hazardous material of any kind.
How Much Do Truck Drivers Make?
There are over 1.8 million truck (heavy tractor-trailer) drivers currently employed in the United States. Their average salary and hourly rate is the following: