As an owner-operator truck driver, you may come across a client at some point that needs you to haul an oversized load. In order to do this legally, you will have to obtain an oversize permit, and a third-party permit service can help you out. Here is a look at the pros and cons of working with these companies. 

Pro: You will likely get your permit faster than what you normally would on your own. 

The biggest reason owner-operator truck drivers choose to work with a third-party permit service to get their overweight permits when they need them is the fact that it can save time. These companies work with the Department of Transportation on a regular basis and they are familiar with the process, which means you may be able to get your permit a lot faster than what you would on your own. 

Con: You will likely have to pay a fee to get your permit beyond what you normally pay. 

Naturally, any company that offers some type of service is going to charge you a fee for their time. Therefore, you will need to pay a fee in addition to what you pay to obtain the overweight permit. However, this small added fee can be well worth it if you need to get the permit as quickly as possible. 

Pro: You can avoid problems with delayed permits due to improperly filed forms. 

It is so easy to make a simple mistake when you are filing for your own permits. Unfortunately, something as simple as a wrong number on your weight capacity listing can mean the permit application gets sent back to you and delayed for a while longer. When you work with a permit service who will be filing the proper forms on your behalf, you can rest assured that this will not be a problem. 

Con: Not all permit services are alike. 

One downfall that comes along with working with a permit service as an owner-operator is that you will have to do your due diligence to find the best third-party provider of services. Not all of the companies out there that extend this kind of service will offer the same services. This is not necessarily a downfall, but it can make things a bit tougher on your part when you need to source a company quickly. Once you've found a permit service you like, however, you can always return to them in the future. 

To learn more, contact a company that gets oversize permits.