Owner Operators

Jim Palmer Trucking Contingent Offer to Owner Operators

Jim Palmer Trucking provides the following expenses related to Owner Operators:

• 100% stop pay from customers
• Fuel Surcharge on all miles driven
• Base Plates
• Liability and Cargo Insurance
• Road Toll
• Lumpers
• Reefer fuel
• Provides Fuel Discounts
• 24/7 Roadside Assistance
• Tire Discounts

Owner Operators are Required to Provide:

• Proof of Bobtail Insurance
• Proof of Workers Compensation
• Proof of Vehicle Ownership
• Copy of Vehicle Bill of Sale
• Proof of Federal Highway Use Form 2290
• Two Sources of Picture Identification (Social Security Card and Drivers License)

Pay Package

Jim Palmer Trucking pays Owner Operators $0.95/mile + 100% of fuel surcharge for ALL DISPATCHED MILES.

Applicant Requirements:

Driver Experience

Applicants are required to be 23 years of age and have a Class A Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Have one year of verifiable over the road experience in the last three years or three years of verifiable OTR experience in the last five years. Over the road experience is defined as interstate travel (traveling between multiple states) for more than one day at a time, preferably several at one time. Local runs allow drivers to remain within a single state and spend each night at home.

Hire Area Map

Rider Policy

No cost rider policy applies to all drivers. However, riders are limited to significant others and children over the age of 12. Children can only ride during summer months.

Motor Vehicle History

Within the last three years, applicants are allowed NO convictions for:

• DUI/DWI
• Careless or reckless driving
• Improper or erratic lane change
• Following too close
• Hit and run
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Failing to report an accident

Also, within the last three years, no speeding tickets of 15 mph over the posted speed limit in a personal or commercial vehicle. No more than four total moving violations within the last three years. No more than two total moving violations within last 12 months. No preventable DOT accidents that involve fatality, bodily injury that is treated away from the scene, or disabling damage to any vehicle.

Owner Operator Vehicle Requirements

In addition to driver requirements, the Owner Operator’s Vehicle must meet strict company requirements. The vehicle can be no more than five years old (the vehicle condition is of more concern than the year), and the vehicle must be in excellent condition. No visual blemishes or vehicle damage are allowed.

Extended wheelbases cannot prohibit the truck from accessing loading docks. This would prohibit the company from accepting loads at certain docks and reducing revenue.

The owner operator’s vehicle must have, or be able to install, QualComm system on the truck. The system is mandatory on all vehicles, company truck or owner operator vehicle. The QualComm system costs $50 per month, which includes the rental fee and monthly usage charge.

Owner Operator’s vehicle can weigh no more than 18,000 pounds if it has less than four axels. The weight of the tractors varies with fuel, personal belongings, and the driver. The weight of the vehicle should be under the 18,000 pounds when it empty (no fuel or personal belongings). Vehicles over 18,000 pounds must have four axels (an additional tag axel is required).

Employment:

Orientation

After applicants meet the driver requirements and their vehicles meet the preliminary inspection, owner operators are required to compete orientation. Orientation for owner operators includes installation of the QualComm system and vehicle inspection. Vehicles that do not meet the requirements must have any problems resolved before dispatch. Orientation begins every Monday at both of the Jim Palmer Trucking terminals, Missoula, Montana, and Salina, Kansas. The driver is allocated a room (smoking or non-smoking) during orientation until their first load is dispatched.

Drivers are required to provide two forms of identification. The most common, and preferred, are a Social Security Card and Drivers License.

Drivers are also recommended to bring adequate supplies for two weeks of traveling. The first week is occupied by orientation and the second week is occupied by the first trip. Dispatch tries to get drivers home during the first week on the road to get personal items that could not be brought to orientation.

After completing orientation, $100 is awarded to company drivers. This money will be in addition to a Commdata Card and a TCH Card. The Comdata Card is used for personal expeditures, although it may be used for fuel, and the TCH is used for truck related expenditures.

Requirements:

• 23 years of age.
• Valid Class A CDL. (Work permit is not acceptable)
• Minimum of one (1) year verifiable OTR Tractor-Trailer experience within the last 5 years with at least one (1) year of current verifiable OTR Tractor-Trailer experience within the last year.

Driving Record within the last three (3) years:

• No convictions for DUI/DWI, careless, reckless, improper/erratic lane change or following too close, hit and run, leaving scene of accident, or failing to report accident.
• No convictions for excessive speed (15 MPH or over) in CMV or Personal Vehicle.
• No more than four (4) total moving violations within the last 3 years.
• No more than two (2) total moving violations within the last 12 months.
• No preventable DOT accidents which involve fatality, bodily injury (treated away from the scene) or disabling damage to any vehicle.
• No more than a combination of four (4) moving violations and/or minor preventable accidents/incidents.

Dress Code:

Neat and clean appearance. Hair must be collar length and beards trimmed.

Equipment:

• Must be no more than five (5) years old and weigh 18,000 pounds or less.
• Must provide proof of ownership and cost/value of unit.
• Must have mandatory satellite communications (QualComm) installed. Monthly cost is $50.00. Covers unit rental and monthly usage charges.
• Must provide paid Federal Highway Use Tax Form 2290.
• Base plates and Permits are provided and paid if you remain leased to JPT for one (1) year. If lease is terminated the cost of plates and permits are prorated.
• JPT will provide and install decals on the unit.