3 Signs You Should Lease Your First Semi-Truck

If you are a truck driver who is thinking about working as an independent contractor, which means you will be responsible for providing your own truck, you might assume that you will have to purchase one. However, this is not the case at all. Many truckers actually lease their trucks, and you might find that this is a good option for you as well. These are a few signs that you may want to consider leasing your first semi-truck.

1. You Aren't Sure if Trucking Is the Right Career Path for You

Some people who decide to work as independent contractors in the trucking business have actually been in the business for quite some time, although they may have worked as employees for trucking companies before. If this is not the case for you and if you are new to the business, then you might not be totally sure that it's something that you want to do for the long haul. After all, trucking can be a wonderful career, but it isn't for everyone. If you aren't completely sure of whether or not trucking is actually the right career for you, then you may want to consider leasing rather than buying a truck. Then, if you decide that it's not actually for you and that you would like to pursue something else, you can turn the truck in at the end of the lease term. This is not the case if you buy one; then, you would instead have to sell it, which can make it harder for you to get out of the business.

2. You Want Low Monthly Payments

Making semi-truck payments can be tough when you have other bills to worry about. This can be especially true when you are new to the business and do not have a well-established income just yet. If you're a new trucker who is trying to get on your feet, leasing can leave you with lower monthly payments, which can allow you to handle your other financial obligations rather than having to pay higher truck payments.

3. You Want to Drive a New Truck

If you're new to the trucking world, you might have practiced and learned how to drive a semi-truck in a newer truck. You also might not yet be used to things like performing basic maintenance and repairs on semis. If this is the case, leasing can be a good idea, since you can lease a brand-new truck that has all of the newest features and that should be in good condition. This can be better for a "newbie" than dealing with a used truck, which might be affordable to purchase but also might not have the newest and best features and might have some occasional repair issues.

As you can probably see, leasing semi-trucks can be a good option for many people who are looking to acquire their first semi-truck. If you look into your leasing options, you might just find that leasing a truck is actually the perfect choice for you in this stage of your career.