
Tax Season Survival Guide for Owner-Operators: What You Need to Know
Tax season is the part of running a trucking business that most owner-operators either dread or underestimate. When you operate as an
Secrest Direct Inc. is an independent Landstar agent (DUV/RKY).
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Evaluate flatbed freight, equipment paths, securement responsibilities and the application process before deciding whether this business model fits your operation.
Owner-operator business opportunity · Not a company-driver position · Questions? 877-441-9128
Understand the hands-on work, planning and equipment responsibilities that come with flatbed freight.
Review factors such as trailer type, load dimensions, securement, deadhead, destination and the next available load.
Discuss your tractor, trailer status, flatbed experience and securement equipment before beginning an application.
Get answers from Secrest Direct so you can decide whether it makes sense to continue.
Owner-operator opportunity: This path is for people who own or lease qualifying tractors and operate, or plan to operate, an independent trucking business. It is not a company-driver position.
This short form is an information request, not the full application and not a Landstar corporate form. Do not submit sensitive documents through this form. Review the Privacy Policy.
Jump directly to the information that matters most to your operation.
Flatbed can be a strong operating path for owner-operators who like hands-on work, detailed planning and greater involvement with the freight they haul. It also carries responsibilities that are different from enclosed-trailer freight.
Before applying, consider whether you are comfortable inspecting equipment, securing freight, working with tarps and securement devices, checking load dimensions and planning around changing freight requirements.
Check the tractor, trailer, securement equipment and load area before accepting and moving freight.
Use the appropriate straps, chains, binders, edge protection, tarps and other equipment required for the load.
Confirm dimensions, weight, pickup instructions, delivery requirements and any special handling considerations..
Consider mileage, deadhead, weather, parking, fuel, delivery windows and route restrictions. Oversized or specialized freight may require additional planning.
Track revenue, expenses, maintenance, compliance, records and the operating decisions that affect profitability.





Review available freight and decide what and when to haul based on your business plan.
The operator is responsible for understanding and following the securement, inspection and freight-protection requirements that apply to each load.
Consider loaded miles, deadhead, fuel, maintenance, equipment costs, time, tarping and the likelihood of finding suitable freight near the destination.
Available freight, rates, destinations and equipment needs change. Evaluate current information rather than assuming that prior conditions will continue.
Available freight, rates, destinations and equipment needs change. Evaluate current information rather than assuming that prior conditions will continue.
Tractor, driver, safety, experience, insurance and other requirements must be reviewed using current approved information.
A posted rate is only one part of a flatbed load. The stronger business decision comes from comparing the full trip, the work involved and what may be available after delivery.
When reviewing a load, consider the total loaded miles, deadhead, trailer type, load dimensions, securement requirements, tarping, pickup and delivery windows, destination and the likelihood of suitable follow-up freight.
Strong route planning means evaluating how multiple loads, locations and operating costs work together—not only one listed number.

Example LandstarOnline dashboard shown for general context. Current tools, available freight data and account access may vary.
Confirm tractor, trailer, technology and documentation requirements before proceeding.
Flatbed opportunities depend on more than having a tractor. Your trailer status, securement equipment, experience and preferred freight all affect the path that needs to be reviewed.
Secrest Direct can help identify the questions that should be answered before you begin an application. Final tractor, trailer and operating requirements must be confirmed through the current qualification process.
Independent Landstar Agent ·
DUV/RKY
10922 State Route 212 NE
Bolivar, Ohio 44612
Secrest Direct Inc. is an independent Landstar agent, not Landstar corporate. The agency can help you organize your questions, review your current operation and understand which details need to be confirmed before you apply.
That may include your tractor, trailer status, experience, securement readiness, operating goals and questions about the qualification process.
Start with the information you need. Move into the formal application only when you are ready.
Use these pages to answer the practical questions that matter before you begin the full application.
Review how owner-operator compensation is structured and which operating costs should be considered before estimating net income.
Learn how trailer type, securement, destinations, deadhead and changing freight availability affect load decisions.
Review the current driver, tractor, safety, experience and insurance information before applying.
See the general steps involved in moving from an initial question to application and qualification.
Requirements, availability, compensation, and program information can change. Confirm current flatbed details during qualification.
Requirements can include driver age, CDL and endorsements, experience, safety history, tractor qualifications, insurance and other standards. Because requirements can change, use the current Requirements page and qualification process rather than copying an old list.
Explore the next flatbed resource based on the decision you are trying to make.
Review the work, responsibilities and operating model.
Compare your experience, safety history and equipment with current requirements.
See how equipment, securement and destinations affect freight decisions.
Review compensation together with the costs of running your business.
Consider your tractor, trailer status and securement equipment.
Begin only after reviewing the requirements and available information.

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You do not need to start the full application just to ask a question.
Review the formal application process and begin when you have the required information and documents ready.
Get clear information about current requirements, equipment paths, and the application process from Secrest Direct Inc.