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Run with the Best

Mercer Transportation is always seeking dependable Owner Operators who are interested in building successful careers. We need your skills and your equipment to move our freight. If you are looking to take a turn for the better, you’ve come to the right place.

Mercer is continuously leasing on Owner Operators who offer flatbed, dry van or step deck services. With the best safety and compliance record and the lowest claim and occurrence rate in the industry, we are proud to offer our Owner Operators consistent freight and a wide variety of commodities to haul. In addition, Mercer promotes a supportive family-oriented atmosphere, generous and convenient home time, as well as optional worker’s compensation coverage.

As an Owner Operator, you own your own business — now it is time to own the road. Mercer offers the opportunities and supportive atmosphere needed to secure all of the benefits that you deserve.

Major Provisions of Contract

Mercer offers these contract highlights:

75% of gross revenue (excluding 1% insurance surcharge)
Paid promptly after every trip
You may have to pay up to first $1,000 charge for cargo or liability claim

Mercer does not charge state fuel and mileage taxes, unless trip leased to another carrier.

Why should you choose Mercer?

Mercer is a 100% owner-operator company. Our Contractors drive our success. We value their skill and hard work so we treat them right, with:

No company trucks to compete with for freight
No forced dispatch and no up-front sign-on fees
First in/ first choice
Open door policy at the home office
Valuable safety, revenue and years-of-service credits
Prompt settlements through our Quick Pay program
Mercer Coordinator to help with planning and other needs
Fuel tax filed and paid by Mercer

Choose Your Own Road

Mercer’s freight is consistent. Our nationwide network of freight agent offices helps us create a large customer base, which allows us to keep trucks moving. Mercer offers Owner Operators a variety of commodities to haul such as iron, steel, pipe, machinery, building materials, glass and military freight. Mercer has been ranked as one of the top five carriers nationwide for government traffic, making us the proud recipient of the Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC) Quality Carrier Award.

Our freight movement is not concentrated in a few lanes, but moves to all points in North America. With many choices available and no forced dispatch, Owner Operators have the ability to directly control their profitability with ample opportunities to get to or through “the house.”

Work Directly With One Coordinator

All trucks are assigned a central truck Coordinator with a dedicated 800 WATS line. Mercer Coordinators manage teams of about 30 trucks. This allows ample time to address each Owner Operator’s needs and to coordinate their movement through the Mercer system in a safe, efficient and profitable manner. Freight is offered on a first-in/first choice basis, and there is no forced dispatch.

Prompt Settlement From A Stable Company

Since Mercer’s founding in 1977, it has been the company’s goal to have the fastest truck pay in the industry. Mercer has earned the reputation for paying owner-operators promptly after each trip delivered. In addition, there are a variety of payment options available. Financial stability is demonstrated by Mercer’s continued growth- all without outside acquisitions.

Our Door Is Always Open

Mercer’s open door policy means there are no barriers or restrictions between the Owner Operators and the Mercer staff. Mercer does not operate a “behind closed doors” business and Owner Operators are welcomed and encouraged to make themselves at home at the Louisville headquarters and deal directly with their Coordinator. The personal attention and open atmosphere are key to the success of the Contractors and the Company.

Mercer’s Minimum Requirements

Minimum Requirements for Owner Operators

25 years old. Under certain circumstances, 23 or 24-year-olds may be accepted
One year of recent verifiable experience in interstate trucking with six months experience on flatbed. (An additional day of orientation may be required with fewer than six months flatbed experience.)
Good driving record with respect to accidents and traffic violations
No felony convictions in the last 10 years
Current Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Current D.O.T. long form physical and card
Experience in proper preparation of driver’s daily log
Ability to speak and read English
Clean, neat diesel tandem that must be able to scale 45,000 lbs. No age limit on trucks
Minimum 48’ Air Ride flatbed, 48’ Air Ride step deck or 53’ dry van Air Ride. Prefer 53’ X 102’, 13’6 with 2 load locks and swinging doors on dry vans
Must be able to pass a thorough D.O.T.-type inspection
Must have the following: tarps to cover a full 6’ high load, twelve 4-inch straps (27’ long) with winches, twelve steel chains and binders, D.O.T.-specified emergency safety equipment including mounted fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, etc.
Cell phone
Truck Title
Trailer Title
Copy of the 2290 FHUT marked paid
Completed Equipment List
Copy of Long Form Physical
Signed Required Equipment Summary
Certified Empty Weight Ticket

48-State Fleet Minimum Requirements:

Clean, neat diesel tandem that must be able to scale 45,000 lbs. No age limit on trucks
Minimum 48’ flatbed, 48’ Air Ride step deck or 53’ dry van Air Ride. Prefer 53’ X 102’, 13’6 with 2 load locks and swinging doors on dry vans
Must be able to pass a thorough D.O.T.-type inspection
Must have the following: tarps to cover a full 6’ high load, twelve 4-inch straps (27’ long) with winches, twelve steel chains and binders, D.O.T.-specified emergency safety equipment including mounted fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, etc.
Cell phone

Mid-America Fleet Minimum Requirements:

Clean, neat diesel tandem that must be able to scale 45,000 lbs. No age limit on trucks
Trailers need to be at least 48’/ Air Ride flatbeds or 48’ Air Ride step decks
Must be able to pass a thorough D.O.T.-type inspection
Must have the following: tarps to cover a full 6’ high load, twelve 4-inch straps (27’ long) with winches, twelve steel chains and binders, D.O.T.-specified emergency safety equipment including mounted fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, etc.
Cell phone

Minimum Requirements for Permits and Licensing:

Truck Title
Trailer Title
Copy of the 2290 FHUT marked paid
Completed Equipment List
Copy of Long Form Physical
Signed Required Equipment Summary
Certified Empty Weight Ticket

*All the above items are needed for all Contractors. These items must be in-house prior to arriving for orientation.

Optional forms may be needed on a per case basis:

Truck registration (if running your own plate until it expires)
Trailer registration (if running your own plate until it expires)
Articles of Incorporation (if incorporated)
Power of Attorney (if contractor is not available to sign lease)
Lease Purchase Agreement (if equipment is leased)
Original title for trailer plate

Licensing Options

Mercer has three fleet options available to accommodate Owner Operators’ diverse driving preferences. Our fleet includes the following divisions:

System – 48 states and Canada
Mid America – 37 states and Canada
Van – 48 states and Canada
Illinois base plate must be purchased through Mercer. Call recruiting department for costs. All fleets may run their own base plate until it expires
Base plates must have 48 states or 37 states listed for that fleet. Vans must run the 48-state fleet.
Multiple payment plans available for licensing programs
Proof of payment of Federal Highway Use Tax required to obtain license plate
Above costs do not include trailer plate
Proof of ownership required, i.e. title, registration

Illinois Tractor Plate and State Permit and Fuel Tax Program:

Illinois base plate must be purchased through Mercer. Call Recruiting Department for costs. All fleets may run their own base plate until it expires
Base plates must have 48 states or 37 states listed for that fleet. Vans must run the 48-state fleet
Multiple payment plans available for licensing programs
Proof of payment of Federal Highway Use Tax required to obtain license plate
Above costs do not include trailer plate
Proof of ownership required, i.e. title, registration

Insurance Programs Available
Mercer Offers Voluntary Insurance Programs:

Collision, Comprehensive, Fire and Theft
Premiums based on value
$500 Deductible – 3.78% annual premium
$32 per month for each $10,000 of insured value
$1,000 Deductible – 3.13% annual premium
$26 per month for each $10,000 of insured value

Workmen’s Compensation: Coverage must be furnished for hired drivers. Mercer can assist in this coverage.

Bobtail: Insurance must be furnished. Mercer can assist in this coverage.

NOTE: Premiums may increase during the year.

Payment Options:

Paid Weekly
Direct Deposit Available
Stop off Pay

Other Benefits:

No-Touch Freight: 99%
Assigned Dispatchers
24/7 Dispatch Available
Base Plate & Permits
Paperless Logs
Rider Program
Pet Policy
Miles A Week: Varies
Orientation Length: 2 1/2 days
Satellite Communications: None