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The Do's
Find a good accountant that knows the trucking business. He can guide you through so many things. Whether to purchase or lease. For how long, and so many other things. Start by controlling your finances the right way.
How do you find a good accountant? Talk to other O/O. If you have decided where you are going to lease on talk to some O/O there. It can be a plus to have one already familiar with that companies paperwork.
Open up an account for your trucking company apart from the household account. You will pay yourself from this account but PLEASE keep them apart.
Financing is where your accountant is a BIG help. Sometimes a lease is better than a purchase and sometimes not. This is an area that is so special to each individual situation all that needs to be said is, Consult Your Accountant.
Now to the truck. A lot has to be done before you get to this stage of the game. One reason for having the lease already (or at least a letter stating that you have been accepted upon purchase of a truck) is that financing is more easily obtained. Buy the best truck you can for the money you have. Just remember,the BEST truck, not the BEST LOOKING truck, Know the specs you need before you go looking.
Have a spec. sheet made up and give it to the dealer. If buying new you can order or buy off the lot. Purchasing used today isn't much different. What with all the locator services today you can find a used truck to meet just about any specs you are looking for.
Plan on a lot of long hours and hard work. Not just physical work but mental as well.
The Don'ts:
Don't be fooled by nice looking trucks. The best looking truck is not always the best truck.
Don't be suckered in by LOW insurance rates. check it out. To start with, there are a number of legit, long standing associations that provide this service along with stand alone insurance companies.
Don't cross you finances. You and your accountant can figure the best way to pay yourself. Some do it by percentage and some by the mile. What ever works for you is
best in the long run and you can change it if you need to after all YOU ARE THE BOSS.
Do not get behind to the I R S. Enough said.
Don't ever be afraid to ask questions. If you have a problem understanding something, just ask.
Don't be afraid to make a mistake. Just try not to make it a big one. If you stay in the trucking business long enough they will come.
Don't make fast decisions when you don't have to. There will be enough of them that come along as a matter of course so don't add any more.
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The most important thing you can do is make sure you discuss being an o/o with your family/spouse. They have a vested interest in this too.
Do the research ,being an o/o isn't for everyone.
Some of the Do's and Don'ts of being an Owner/Operator 
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