Hot Shot Trucking

Hot shot trucking uses a heavy-duty pickup pulling a flatbed or gooseneck trailer to deliver time-sensitive loads such as equipment, building supplies or oilfield parts. It looks like a low-cost way into trucking, but safety and legal rules still apply.

• Owner-Operators
• Small Carriers
• Drivers

Equipment and weight

• Typical rigs are a Class 3 to Class 5 pickup with a dually and a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer. See Vehicle Classes.
• The truck, hitch, trailer axles and tires each have a rating. The load must stay within the lowest rating, and the combined weight (GCWR) must not be exceeded.
• Brakes on both truck and trailer must be adequate for the load. Electric or air brakes with a breakaway system are required on heavier trailers. Check what your state requires.
• Tires must be rated for the load and in good shape. Trailer blowouts are common. See Tire Blowouts.

Do you need a CDL?

A CDL is needed when the GVWR of the vehicle is 26,001 pounds or more, or when the combination is 26,001 pounds or more and the trailer is over 10,000 pounds. Many hot shot rigs are rated below the line, which is why some drivers do not need a CDL. But they may still be commercial motor vehicles under federal rules. See CDL Classes & Endorsements.

Federal and state rules that may apply

• USDOT number and operating authority for interstate for-hire carriage with a GVWR or GCWR of 10,001 pounds or more.
• Driver qualification, medical card and drug and alcohol testing rules apply to many drivers over that weight. See DOT Physical and Drug & Alcohol Testing.
• Hours of service, logs or ELDs, depending on the exemption. See Hours of Service.
• Inspections, roadside inspection and weight checks. See Roadside Inspections.
• Insurance: carriers need commercial liability and cargo coverage at levels set by law and customers.
• State rules for intrastate hauling, permits and weight vary.

Loading and driving

• Distribute weight so the trailer has the right tongue weight, about 10 to 15 percent for bumper-pull and 15 to 25 percent for gooseneck
• Secure cargo with the right number of tie-downs and working load limits. See Cargo Securement
• Check lights, brakes, hitch and safety chains before each trip
• Allow extra stopping distance; heavy loads take longer to stop
• Do not drive tired to meet an urgent delivery. See Driver Fatigue

Last updated: October 8, 2026