Tow-Away Details

Driver Requirements

• Be professional in appearance
  We do have a dress code, which will be addressed at orientation.
• Age Requirement
  Horizon Transport’s independent contractor drivers must be at least 23 years of age.
• Driver’s License Requirement
  Horizon Transport strongly recommends a Class-A CDL for all Tow-Away drivers.  An operator’s license with a for-hire endorsement* is acceptable, however not all loads will be accessible without a CDL-A license.
• *Not all states offer a “for-hire” endorsement, also referred to as a Chauffer’s License.  For drivers from states that do not offer this endorsement, an operator’s license is acceptable.  (Indiana, Michigan, and Tennessee are examples of states that do offer this endorsement.)
• Recommended: US passport, passport card, or any US state dept. approved document
  US State Department passport information How do I get a passport from the post office?
  US Post Office passport information How would I access a passport using an expedited service?
  An example of a service that can provide as little as a 2 day turn around time – RushMyPassport.com
• Acceptable PSP: (Only CDL drivers need a PSP) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pre-employment screening program (PSP):

  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pre-employment screening program (PSP) is a program that helps motor carriers make more informed hiring decisions by providing electronic access to a driver’s crash and inspection history from the MCSA Motor Carrier Management Information System (MCMIS). PSP records are now available for motor carriers and commercial drivers.

  You may obtain a PSP by clicking this link: (Only CDL drivers need a PSP)
   http://www.psp.fmcsa.dot.gov/pages/default.aspx

• Acceptable MVR
  If you have had more than one license in the last 3 years, then we require a report from each individual state.
  It cannot contain more than 4 points on a drivers license, to include no more than 1 moving violations and 0 at fault accidents in past 5 years. There must be no moving violation suspensions.
  ***A history of Drug-related convictions, DUI, DWI, OWI, careless driving, reckless driving or habitual offender convictions will disqualify an applicant from further consideration. ***
• Full 10 year work history
  You must document a full 10 year work history on your application.
• Road Test
  Pass a company road test.
• Pass a DOT Drug test at Horizon Transport specified facility
  Drug testing can be set-up near your current location with a Horizon Transport Recruiter. This cost is included in the Orientation Package.
• Pass a DOT Physical
  Physical testing can be done locally for $85.
• Phone
  Every driver must have a active cell phone and camera option. (Before you come to orientation have an active cell phone and voice mail established.)
• Damage Deposit
  Each qualified contractor is required to establish a damage deposit during the orientation period. The damage deposit is $1500. We understand that this can be a hardship for new contractors. Therefore, two options are available. 1. Personal check, money order, or cash. 2. You may have 10% of each trip deducted until you attain the $1500 level.

Truck Requirements

• You must submit a copy of your vehicle registration
• Trucks over 10 years old must be approved by Recruiting
• Diesel is highly recommended, but gas trucks are accepted.
• Truck License Plate
  The truck’s license plate must be sufficient to legalize a combination of truck and trailer up to 26,000 lbs. Horizon recommends the equivalent of an Indiana 26,000 lbs truck plate, but NO MORE than 26,000 lbs.
• Truck must be a full-size ¾ or 1 ton (dually not necessary)
• Height from top of bed rail to the ground must be 60” or less.
• Height from top of ball hitch to the ground must be 22” or less.

• Must submit a completed DOT inspection
  Inspection can be done at the following location:

  Dually Depot – Elkhart, IN / Goshen, IN

  Dan’s Service Center – Elkhart, IN

  D&M Automotive

  Monteith Tire – Wakarusa, IN

  Note: Before a DOT truck inspection is administered, you must have an emergency triangle kit and a mounted fire extinguisher in your truck

  Truck must be equipped with the following:

  1. Class III receiver – Rated at least 10,000 pounds
  2. 5th wheel (A 5th wheel is optional,  not mandatory to start) Rated at least 20,000 pounds
  3. Gooseneck hitch (A Gooseneck is optional, not mandatory to start) Note: Horizon Transport does not mandate an applicant possesses a 5th wheel or gooseneck hitch. However, we strongly recommend acquiring these hitches. Roughly 30% of the available loads would require a 5th wheel hitch. Possessing all 3 hitches will allow a contractor to increase earnings.
  4. Full-width mud flaps located at the rear bumper, as well as mud flaps directly behind the tire
  5. Extended mirrors for 102-inch trailers
  6. Distribution bar with a 1,000-pound load
  7. Torque wrench rating of 125 pounds (to tighten trailer lugs at the beginning of a trip)
     with 3 deep well 6 point socket sizes: 7/8, 13/16, and 3/4
  8. Electric brakes control
  9. Appropriate bed plug and bumper plug
  10. 2 ball sizes: 2″ and 2 5/16″
  11. Electric brake breakaway battery 12-Volt Automotive Top Post Battery with case.
      DOT requires the battery to be a  “wet” cell battery, not a dry cell
      You can buy a battery at Dan’s Service Center in Wakarusa, IN when you come for Orientation
  12. Emergency Triangle Kit
  13. Mounted fire extinguisher in your truck
  14. Set of Fuses for your truck
  15. Dashcam

Optional Equipment:

• 1. Pintle Hook
  2. Four 27-foot tie-down straps that are 2 inches wide. These are used for securing stacked loads.
  3. General Tool Kit