If you’ve been a Class A truck driver for more than a minute, you’ve seen the “be your own boss” ads. The dream of owning your own rig is a staple of trucking careers, but the line between a profitable lease purchase driving job and a financial trap is razor-thin.
With the 2025 freight market showing a slow but steady recovery, spot rates in early January hovered around $2.40 per mile for dry van, your margins have never been more important. Before you sign that stack of paperwork, you need to treat this like the business deal it is.
1. What is the “Walk-Away” Policy?
A true lease purchase driving job should offer a clear exit strategy. If the freight market dips and you can’t make ends meet, do you lose everything? Avoid contracts with predatory “abandonment” clauses that can wreck your DAC report.
2. Is there a Balloon Payment at the End?
Many leases keep monthly payments low but hit you with a $20,000 to $50,000 balloon payment at the end. You need to know if you are actually earning equity or just renting a seat.
3. Can I Take the Truck Elsewhere?
A “portable” lease is the gold standard for a Class A truck driver. If you aren’t happy with the carrier’s dispatch, can you take your equipment to another fleet? If the truck stays with the carrier, they own you, not the other way around.
4. What is the Maintenance Escrow Structure?
Maintenance will kill your truck driver pay faster than fuel costs.
- Who decides when a repair is “necessary”?
- Do you get the remaining escrow balance back if you finish the lease?+2
5. Are There Forced Dispatch Requirements?
The whole point of being an owner-operator in spirit is having a choice. If you’re forced to take low-paying loads that don’t cover your fixed costs, you’re just a company driver with more debt.
6. What Are the Fixed Weekly Costs?
Beyond the truck payment, ask about:
- Physical Damage Insurance.
- ELD / Tech fees.
- Occupational Accident Insurance.
- Bobtail Insurance.
7. How Does the Carrier Handle Fuel Surcharges?
In a volatile market, the fuel surcharge (FSC) is your lifeline. Ensure 100% of the FSC goes to the person paying for the fuel, you.
8. What is the Average CPM for Lease Drivers?
Don’t look at the top earners. Ask for the fleet average CPM (cents per mile) after all expenses. According to the FMCSA, transparency in lease-operator agreements is a major regulatory focus to prevent driver exploitation.
9. Can I See the Profit and Loss (P&L) of Current Lease Drivers?
A reputable carrier should have no problem showing you redacted settlements from their current fleet. If they can’t prove their drivers are profitable, walk away.
10. Does the Carrier Profit from the Lease Itself?
Some companies are “truck sellers” disguised as “freight carriers.” Check Transport Topics for news on carriers recently flagged for predatory leasing practices.
Road Recruiter Spotlight: Drivers Helping Drivers
If you’re already running a rig and know which companies actually treat their lease-purchasers right, it’s time to get paid for that knowledge. Through our Road Recruiter program, you can earn a $1,000 bonus for every professional you help connect with a quality seat.
Stop letting “Big Tech” job boards take a cut of the trucking industry‘s wealth. We believe in keeping cash in the hands of those doing the miles. If you’re not ready for a lease but want to see what’s out there, browse our vetted job board for high-paying Class A truck driver roles that don’t require a down payment.
Your license is your business, make it work for you.
For more updates and insights into the trucking world, stay tuned to Drivers1st.com!
