Lease on vs your own authority: which is right for you?
Should you lease on to a carrier or run your own MC? Costs, control, insurance, broker access and when to switch, explained simply.
Running under someone's authority (lease on)
You lease your truck to a motor carrier and haul under its MC and broker setups. It's the fastest way to start: no waiting for brokers to accept a new MC, and usually factoring or fast pay included. Depending on the carrier, insurance may be included or, like with us, kept separate in your name. You give up a percentage of each load for that.
Running your own authority
You hold your own MC, insurance and broker relationships. You keep more of each load and build your own business history, but you pay for insurance, compliance and setup, and new MCs often wait 90 days for many brokers.
How to decide
- Just starting or new MC: lease on first, earn now, learn the lanes.
- Established MC with good insurance: dispatch on your own authority and keep more.
- Not sure: start under ours and switch whenever you're ready; there's no long contract.
Important to know
A lease must be in writing and follow federal leasing rules (49 CFR Part 376). Read how settlements, insurance and deductions work before you sign.
Dispatch from 4%, or run under our authority from 15%.
Quick answers
Is leasing on cheaper?
It costs more per load, but you skip the startup costs and waiting period of your own authority.
Can I switch to my own MC later?
Yes. Many drivers lease on first and switch once their MC is old enough.
More guides: Loads with a new MC · Dispatch fees explained
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