Tow-Away Details

Learn more about the details of the Tow-Away division

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 progrm (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.

 

Insurance

It is a requirement for all Horizon Transport contractors in our towaway/flatbed division to have a minimum of $1,000,000 of Unladen Liability coverage. It is the contractors responsibility to provide physical damage coverage on the leased equipment. For more information regarding the Unladen policy we suggest you contact one of the following insurance carriers.

Cottingham & Butler
Info and Application

Northwoods Insurance Inc

Phone: 800-655-0230

Website: www.northwoodsins.com

Email:  agent@northwoodsins.com

Gallagher

Phone: 713-986-9113

Website

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 49” 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:

Safety

Horizon Transport has a strong commitment to contractor safety and the safety of the general public. Our first priority must always be safety. As drivers, staff and management, the continued emphasis on safe operations is paramount. There will be zero tolerance for unsafe practices. There will be zero tolerance for unsafe practices.

From the moment a contractor enters service for Horizon, they are taught proper DOT logging requirements and those standards are rigidly audited to ensure contractor compliance. As of January 1st, 2011 we will require each applicant to provide their Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s pre-employment screening program (PSP) report. To learn more about this program visit fmcsa.dot.gov. We randomly drug test our fleet on a consistent basis. Horizon contractors are held to a very high standard. Only the best qualify as contractors to serve Horizon Transport, Inc.

Horizon employs a very experienced staff of safety professionals whose job is to teach and discipline safety principals each day, to the contractor base.

Horizon Safety Training
Horizon Transport Safety Training begins with each new driver’s orientation then continues with monthly video sessions year-round, as well as Spring and Winter-specific Safety Seminars.  Horizon employs an expert staff of safety professionals who are responsible for teaching this class to our contractors.

Safety Bonus Program
Horizon understands that safe driving is a chosen behavior. Contractors have the opportunity to attain additional compensation by driving consecutive safe miles. Our safety bonus program is designed to reward safe contractors. Learn more here >

Join the Horizon Tow-Away Division

Our recruiters are ready to answer any questions you may have and help you make the right decision.