How to Bring Your Spouse on the Road as an Owner Operator
Loneliness is a major burden for many owner operator jobs, especially if they have a spouse waiting for them at home. However, it is possible to bring your spouse with you and to enjoy their company while on the road. There are a few catches, however.
Advantages of a Spouse Passenger
If you are interested in taking your spouse out on the road with you, you're likely going to experience some of the following benefits:
- Keep you from getting bored
- Help strengthen your relationship by giving your more personal time together
- Increase your business efficiency if they have a trucking license
The latter point is a particularly relevant one, especially if you like to do a lot of team-driving. A spouse with a trucking license can take over for you when you need a break and will make sleeping arrangements a lot easier. However, you simply can't ask your spouse to jump in the cab with you and take off down the road: even as an owner operator, you have to follow the rules.
The Laws Regarding Passengers
While it might seem simple to just ask your spouse to come with you, there are specific rules and regulations regarding passengers in semi-trucks. The FMCSA Regulation states that "unauthorized persons not to be transferred" in a vehicle unless they are authorized to do so in writing by the trucking company transporting them and their insurance provider.
As you're the owner and operator of your vehicle, you can obviously give yourself permission to bring your spouse. However, make sure to talk to your lawyer before you do so and put it down in writing first. If your company is ever audited or inspected, it is important to have this kind of paperwork available to show you've followed the letter of the law exactly.
Getting a Passenger Waiver
Getting permission to bring your spouse with you on the road requires obtaining a passenger waiver form from your insurance company. This is true even if they have their own trucking license and they are planning on participating with you in your driving experience. Some insurance companies will allow you to receive a "permanent" passenger waiver, which allows you to bring that specific passenger with you whenever you are on the road.
Before asking for a waiver, you need to make sure that your company is self-insured with large carrier swift or prime insurance or insured by OOIDA insurance. Failure to have the appropriate insurance is likely to make it impossible for you to get a waiver.
While it might seem silly to jump through all these hoops when you're the owner and operator of your trucking company, it is important to follow the rules. Failure to obtain a waiver form, and to otherwise follow the rules of your insurance company, could result in fines and even policy cancellation.
