OWNER OPERATORS
More Choices
More Opportunities
More Opportunities
OWNER OPERATORS
More Choices
More Opportunities
More Opportunities
Top pay & the extras you value –
with NO forced dispatch!
Flatbed Trucking Jobs for Owner Operators
Lone Star treats all professional truck drivers with respect, including the businessmen and women who take on our flatbed trucking jobs for owner operators. We know our business succeeds when yours does. So, we offer top pay and the extras you value — with NO forced dispatch.
What we pay
You can earn more while driving flatbed at Lone Star — and more yet hauling our high-value freight. We have flatbed trucking jobs for owner operators who want to run linehaul or Texas regional routes as well as those interested in over-dimensional work. (Lone Star’s OD loads typically pay 20% to 25% more than legal loads.)
In all of our owner operator jobs, you earn 67% of the net line haul revenue (tractor* only), together with 100% of the fuel surcharge (at our current rate) collected on all loaded miles.
- With a trailer*: We add 8%, for a total of 75%.
- Without a trailer: We don’t charge you for pulling a Lone Star flatbed or step deck trailer. We charge a variable rate for specialized trailers, depending on the trailer type.
*For detailed requirements, continue to the bottom of the page.
The add-ons
- Your truck receives 100% of the tarp pay we collect from the customer.
- You receive 90% of any detention pay we collect, too.
- You’re also eligible for our Safety Award and Claim-Free Bonus Program.
We pay you weekly on Friday, as long as we receive all required paperwork by noon the prior Monday. (Arrange to receive payment by either direct deposit or Comdata.)
Lone Star also covers
- The current year base plate (approximate value $1,400), prorated down from maximum valuation in October*
- 48-state permit package (valued at $400)
- Oversize/ over-dimensional permits and escorts
- Liability and cargo insurance*
- Tolls on permitted routes
Additionally, our flatbed trucking jobs for owner operators offer access to
- Paid securement training
- Comdata fuel cards
- Discounted tire purchase program
- Fuel tax support services: We calculate, file and pay on your behalf, then deduct your reimbursement on the next settlement date.
- An optional maintenance reserve program: Contribute between 3% and 10% to your account weekly, earn interest and withdraw funds as you choose.
More benefits available to our entrepreneurial partners
- Discounted health plan
- Orientation expenses paid*
- No-cost rider program for a rider aged 18 or older who can provide a photo ID
Minimum Requirements, Flatbed Trucking Jobs for Owner Operators*
- Must be 22 years of age
- Must have 1 year of verifiable OTR experience within the last 3 years, or 2 years of verifiable OTR experience within the last 5 years
- No more than 3 moving violations within the past 36 months (non-serious)
- No DUI within the past 5 years (only 1 in your lifetime, and none in a CMV)
We’re looking for partners to take on our flatbed trucking jobs for owner operators. Count on us to pay you top dollar and give you plenty of miles. We’ll help you grow your business by moving up to bigger, better-paying loads, too.
Come drive the Lone Star way!
*More details, Flatbed Trucking Jobs for Owner Operators
What We Require of Your Truck and Equipment
Truck Requirements:
- Cosmetically presentable
- Have an approved headache rack with a swing clearance of 5’2” or more (center of the kingpin to the headache rack)
- Sliding fifth wheels required on ALL units
Fifth Wheel Specifications:
- Fifth Wheel height from the ground must be between 48” to 51”
- Swing clearance* from the center of the kingpin to headache rack must be at least 5’2″
*To measure the swing clearance:
- Place the fifth wheel 2” to 4” in front of the center of the drive axle.
- Measure 5’2” from the fifth wheel to the headache rack or anything that could be hit in front of the headache rack.
- Any clearance less than 5’2” is not acceptable.
Minimum securing equipment required:
- Chains & Binders (required minimum grade 70 3/8” chains) – 10
- 4” Nylon Straps – 10
- 4” Portable Winches – 10
- Tarps (Minimum 20X20) – 3
- Tape Measure (Minimum 25’) – 1
All equipment must pass a level one (1) DOT inspection (including a hot ABS wire in pigtail). All tractors must also be equipped with mufflers.
No discriminatory, demeaning, offensive or unacceptable stickers, signs, lettering or pictures will be allowed on any equipment leased to Lone Star Transportation. This includes radiator “shark teeth” and “rebel” flags. No “train horns” are permitted on leased equipment.
Orientation & Securement Training for Owner Operators
Orientation
Orientation is held in Gainesville, Texas, from 7:30 am Monday thru Thursday afternoon or later if needed.
- You must have a current DOT Physical (long form) with at least six (6) months until expiration.
- Bring your truck, trailer and all equipment for a DOT inspection.
- No shorts, tank tops, open-toe shoes or muscle shirts are allowed in orientation.
We provide travel pay to orientation (other than to lease drivers) of 95 CPM from home of record, plus our fuel surcharge (as calculated weekly). Lone Star also pays each driver’s lodging and all meals.
While in orientation, each driver is assigned a place on Lone Star’s leveling scale, based on their prior 3 years’ verified over-dimensional experience. (For more on Lone Star’s levels, see the load sizes listed in the chart of our Best Paying OTR Trucking Companies post.)
Flatbed Training Program
After orientation, we offer a paid securement training program in Gainsville, TX (if required).
Insurance Required
Lone Star pays for both liability and cargo insurance.
We require you to carry both OCC and Bobtail.
- OCC Insurance is $39 per week.
- Bobtail Insurance is $35 per month, deducted weekly.
Physical damage is optional and available but not required.
Escrows Required
- Legalization: $500
- ELD: $700 (deducted in 10 settlements)
- Future Base Plate & 2290 Tax Escrow Programs: We will escrow funds for Base Plate starting at $30 per week, pro-rating thru September.
