Introducing the Trucker's Toolbox: Everything A Small Fleet Needs
Starting a trucking company comes with a mountain of paperwork. Between driver qualification files, vehicle inspections, lease agreements, and safety policies, it's easy to spend more time on documentation than actually running your business.
That's why we created the Trucker's Toolbox.
What is the Trucker's Toolbox?
The Trucker's Toolbox is a comprehensive bundle of 40+ forms, files, and templates designed specifically for motor carriers. Every document was created by compliance professionals to meet current FMCSA regulations; so you can pass your safety audit with confidence.
Whether you're a new carrier getting your authority or an established company that needs to update your paperwork, the Trucker's Toolbox gives you everything you need in one download.
What's Inside?
The Trucker's Toolbox covers every major area of trucking compliance:
Compliance Planning
Getting compliant can feel overwhelming when you don't know where to start. The Trucker's Toolbox includes a complete compliance checklist that walks you through every step of business formation to becoming audit-ready. We've also included our 2026 Trucking Compliance Planner, which helps you track deadlines throughout the year. Medical card expirations, IFTA filings, annual inspections, Clearinghouse queries, etc. It's all laid out month by month so nothing slips through the cracks.
Driver Qualification Files
Under 49 CFR 391, every motor carrier must maintain a qualification file for each driver. Building these files from scratch is time-consuming and it's easy to miss required documents. Our Driver Qualification File packet includes everything you need: employment applications with 10-year history, previous employer verification forms, background check authorizations, road test certifications, Clearinghouse consent forms, annual review documents, and more. Each form meets current FMCSA requirements.
Vehicle Compliance
Your vehicles need documentation too. The Trucker's Toolbox includes vehicle compliance file templates built around 49 CFR 396.3 requirements. You'll get DVIRs, maintenance logs, brake inspector qualifications, and cab folder checklists that detail exactly what paperwork and equipment needs to be in each truck. We've also included pre-trip inspection guides that you can laminate and keep in the cab.
Company Policies
Every trucking company needs written policies, and auditors want to see them. The Trucker's Toolbox includes a complete safety manual covering Hours of Service, ELD compliance, distracted driving, accident procedures, and cargo securement. You'll also get a Drug & Alcohol Policy that meets 49 CFR 382 requirements, covering everything from pre-employment testing to Clearinghouse reporting.
Employment and Lease Agreements
Hiring drivers or bringing on owner-operators? We've included professionally drafted agreements for both. The employment agreement covers W-2 company drivers, while our Independent Contractor Equipment Lease meets 49 CFR 376.12 requirements for owner-operators. There's also an equipment-only lease for situations where you're leasing a truck without driver services. Settlement forms, warning templates, and termination notices round out the employment section.
Business Operations
Running a trucking company involves more than compliance paperwork. The Trucker's Toolbox includes operating agreements for LLCs, corporate bylaws, dispatch service agreements, shipper-carrier contracts, parking space leases, and trailer interchange receipts. These documents help protect your business relationships and put agreements in writing.
Accident and Safety Documentation
When an accident happens, you need to document it correctly. The Trucker's Toolbox includes accident report forms, a post-accident testing decision guide (so you know when drug and alcohol testing is required), and an accident register that meets 49 CFR 390.15 requirements. We've also included a corrective action plan template for responding to safety audit findings and a roadside inspection log to track your DOT inspections.
Why We Built This
At TIPS, we work with trucking companies every day. We help carriers get their authority, get the compliance registrations in place before hitting the road, and prepare for safety audits. One thing we kept hearing was how hard it is to find quality compliance documents. Carriers were either piecing together random templates from the internet or paying attorneys thousands of dollars to draft custom forms.
We knew there had to be a better way.
The Trucker's Toolbox puts everything in one place. Every form is designed specifically for trucking companies, NOT generic business templates that sort of fit. And because we work in compliance daily, we know exactly what auditors expect to see.
How It Works
The Trucker's Toolbox is delivered digitally. After purchase, you'll receive an email with a secure download link. The download includes all 40+ documents organized into folders by category.
Most documents are in ODT format, which opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, LibreOffice, or any word processor that supports open formats. This gives you flexibility regardless of what software you use. Spreadsheets are in Excel format, and reference documents are in PDF.
Every editable document is ready for you to add your company information. Just open the file, fill in your details, and you're good to go.
If you'd rather not do the editing yourself, we offer a Customization Package add-on. We'll add your company logo and business name to every document, then deliver the finished files ready to use.
Who Is This For?
The Trucker's Toolbox is built for:
New carriers getting their DOT number and MC authority who need to build their compliance files from scratch
Owner-operators going out on their own who need professional documentation for their business
Established companies that are updating outdated paperwork or preparing for a safety audit
Safety managers who need templates for driver and vehicle files
Anyone tired of Googling "FMCSA forms" and piecing together random templates
Get Started Today
Compliance doesn't have to be complicated. With the Trucker's Toolbox, you'll have the same professional documents that established carriers use; ready to download and start using immediately.
Stop spending hours creating documents from scratch and wondering if you have everything you need for your next audit.