I've been in the cargo van and box truck game for a while now. Here's what nobody told me when I started — and what would've saved me thousands.

1. You don't need a CDL to start.

Most people think you need a commercial driver's license for cargo vans and 26ft box trucks. You don't. A regular license works. This is the #1 thing that stops people from even looking into it.

2. Your first contract matters more than your first truck.

Everyone rushes to buy or lease a vehicle. Wrong move. Line up work first. Amazon Relay, freight brokers on DAT, local furniture delivery — know your revenue before you commit to a payment.

3. Insurance will eat your lunch if you're not careful.

Commercial auto insurance for box trucks can run $800-$1,500/month depending on your state and driving record. Shop around. Get at least 5 quotes. This is your biggest overhead after the vehicle.

4. Cargo vans are the better entry point.

Lower insurance, lower fuel costs, easier to park and maneuver, and plenty of last-mile delivery work. Start with a van, prove the model, then scale into box trucks.

5. The real money is in dedicated routes, not spot loads.

Spot loads from freight boards are fine to start, but the operators making $15-25K/month have locked in dedicated contracts with consistent volume. That's the goal.

I built Highway Thumpers Academy to teach this stuff step by step — from getting your first vehicle to landing your first $10K month. If you're serious about leaving the 9-to-5 behind, this is the blueprint.