You own the truck. Now you're deciding whether to lease it onto a carrier's authority or chase your own. That single choice shapes your freight, your paychecks, and how much paperwork lands on your desk every week.

Leasing on means you run under the carrier's DOT/MC authority instead of your own. Done right, it takes the compliance load off your back and plugs you into freight a solo truck can't easily reach. Done wrong, it buries you in fees and forced dispatch. Here's how to tell the difference before you sign.

Own Authority vs. Leasing On

Running your own authority is a real path in this industry. It also means you personally carry insurance, IFTA, IRP, DOT compliance, billing, and collections — plus you go find and vet every load and every broker's credit yourself.

Leasing on hands most of that to the carrier. You keep the truck and the driving decisions; they carry the authority and the back office. To be clear about how ARI works: ARI is a motor carrier, not a broker. You lease on and run exclusively under ARI's authority. You do not run your own authority with ARI — that's the trade you're making, and for a lot of owner-operators it's the right one.

The Revenue Split Is Where the Real Money Is

Everybody asks about the split first, and they should. Common carrier splits run around 70–75% to the driver. A few points either way is real money over a year.

ARI runs a true 82% revenue share — you keep 82% of gross linehaul, and the 18% covers dispatch, compliance, and billing. "True" matters: ask any carrier whether the split is on gross linehaul or on some reduced number after deductions. Those aren't the same deal.

The Terms That Quietly Drain Your Wallet

The split gets the attention. These line items decide what actually hits your account.

  • Escrow: Some carriers hold $2,500–$5,000 of your money. ARI holds $0.
  • Pay speed and fees: Many carriers charge 3–5% for quick-pay or factoring. ARI offers same-day pay with no quick-pay fees — deliver before 12:00 PM EST and submit paperwork, and you're paid that business day (after noon or weekends is next business day).
  • Insurance and equipment costs: Know the flat weekly numbers up front. With ARI, insurance runs about $300/week, ELD about $30/week, and apportioned IRP plates (all 48 states, IFTA handled) about $70/week.
  • Fuel: Discounts up to $0.45/gallon and a 40% fuel advance at pickup keep cash flowing between settlements.

Dispatch and Freight: Who's Actually Finding Your Loads?

Some "virtual-carrier" apps are really self-dispatch — you find and negotiate every load yourself off a board. That's fine if that's what you want. It's not the same as real dispatch.

ARI gives you a dedicated dispatcher who handles a maximum of 7 trucks, so they actually know your lanes and negotiate rates on your behalf. There's no forced dispatch — you choose your loads, routes, and home time. And because ARI moves real volume with established shipper and broker relationships, you get access to better-paying freight than a single truck usually lands alone.

Prefer to bring your own freight? Find a load or customer, tell your dispatcher, and ARI runs the credit and books it under ARI's authority if it's approved.

What to Ask Before You Sign

  • Is the split on gross linehaul or a reduced number?
  • How much escrow, and when do I get it back?
  • How fast do I get paid, and what does it cost?
  • Real dispatch or a self-dispatch app?
  • Any forced dispatch, and what are the flat weekly costs?

Run those questions against any carrier you're considering. When you're ready to compare real numbers, see the details on owner-operator opportunities and how the terms stack up. If it fits, you can start your application to lease on with ARI or call (888) 600-9098.