CarriersEdge, which provides online driver training for the trucking industry, is offering a new business training course for new and aspiring owner-operators.

The online course, Owner-Operator Business Skills, was created to educate current company drivers about the skills and information they need to start their own business. 

The course is also a valuable resource for commercial drivers who have recently transitioned to becoming owner-operators, CarriersEdge pointed out, providing insights into what it takes to run a successful trucking business.

Owner-Operator Business Skills is available to CarriersEdge customers at no extra charge as part of the company’s subscription service. Individuals can also purchase this course without a subscription by visiting the CarriersEdge website.

Why Did CarriersEdge Create a Truck Owner-Operator Training Course?

According to Jane Jazrawy, CarriersEdge CEO, the company identified the need for an owner-operator training course through customer requests and observations through the annual Best Fleets to Drive For program that CarriersEdge produces.

“What we’ve found is that while many fleets work with independent contractors or offer lease-purchase programs, there is a lack of resources available in the industry for these fleets to help educate drivers on what they need to know before and after they start their own business,” she explained.

“Unfortunately, many new owner-operators see their business fail, often due to business management and planning challenges," she said.

"This course helps fill that void by providing company drivers and owner-operators with essential information to help them understand business risks, how to mitigate them, and the steps they need to take to position them for success.”

To create this comprehensive owner-operators course, CarriersEdge relied on information from successful owner-operators, fleet management with lease-purchase programs, and other industry experts. It also conducted extensive research.

What Truck Drivers and Owner-Operators Will Learn From the Course

The new course provides guidance on topics such as:

• How to select and finance equipment.

• Details on various registration and compliance requirements.

• Best practices for managing vehicle maintenance.

• How to avoid common problems owner-operators face when starting a business

• How to navigate current industry challenges such as freight fraud and cybersecurity.

Following the completion of Owner-Operator Business Skills, people will be able to:

• Determine the skills needed to be a successful owner-operator.

• Describe how to prepare a business plan and budget.

• Explain how to calculate business expenses.

• Describe ways to minimize business expenses.

In addition to this new course, CarriersEdge has nearly 200 courses available through its monthly subscription package, with new and updated titles added regularly. Courses are offered as full-length orientation, short refresher and remedial titles, and as standalone knowledge tests.