The Owner Operator Lease Agreement is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions between a carrier and an owner operator engaged in the transportation of freight. This agreement ensures that both parties understand their rights and responsibilities, facilitating a smooth operational relationship. To begin the process, fill out the form by clicking the button below.
1. Owner Operators Are Always Employees of the Carrier
Many people believe that Owner Operators are employees of the Carrier. In fact, Owner Operators are considered independent contractors. This distinction is crucial because it affects tax responsibilities and liability issues.
2. The Agreement Is Non-Negotiable
Some assume that the terms of the Owner Operator Lease Agreement cannot be changed. However, both parties can negotiate terms before signing, provided any modifications are documented in writing.
3. Owner Operators Do Not Need Insurance
It is a common misconception that Owner Operators do not need to carry insurance. In reality, they are required to maintain specific insurance coverage, including cargo and personal injury insurance, as outlined in the agreement.
4. The Carrier Is Responsible for All Liabilities
Many believe that the Carrier assumes all liability during transportation. However, the Owner Operator is responsible for any loss or damage to goods while in their care, as stated in the agreement.
5. Owner Operators Can Use Their Own Contracts
Some think they can use their own contracts or terms. The Owner Operator Lease Agreement stipulates that any other documents must align with its terms, meaning the agreement takes precedence.
6. All Freight Types Are Acceptable
There is a misconception that Owner Operators can transport any type of freight. However, they must comply with specific regulations and obtain the necessary permits for certain types of cargo, especially hazardous materials.
7. The Agreement Is Only About Compensation
Many focus solely on compensation when considering the agreement. While payment terms are essential, the agreement also covers liability, insurance, and operational responsibilities, which are equally important.
8. Termination Is Simple and Immediate
Some believe that either party can terminate the agreement at any time without consequences. In reality, the agreement specifies conditions under which it can be terminated, and both parties must adhere to these terms.
9. The Agreement Is Only Valid If Signed in Person
There is a misconception that the Owner Operator Lease Agreement must be signed in person to be valid. However, as long as the signatures are documented, electronic or remote signatures can also be acceptable, depending on state laws.
The Owner Operator Lease Agreement is a critical document in the transportation industry, outlining the terms between a carrier and an owner-operator. However, it is often accompanied by several other forms and documents that help clarify responsibilities, ensure compliance, and protect the interests of both parties involved. Below is a list of commonly used documents that complement the Owner Operator Lease Agreement.
These documents work together to create a comprehensive framework for the transportation relationship established by the Owner Operator Lease Agreement. By utilizing these forms, both carriers and owner-operators can operate more effectively and with greater legal protection.
Filling out the Owner Operator Lease Agreement form can be a complex process. Many individuals make mistakes that can lead to misunderstandings or disputes later. One common mistake is failing to provide accurate information in the designated fields. For example, the date of the agreement, names of the parties, and the specific terms of transportation should be clearly and correctly filled out. Inaccurate details can cause confusion and may result in the agreement being unenforceable.
Another frequent error is neglecting to secure necessary permits and licenses. The agreement stipulates that the Owner Operator must obtain all required approvals for the transportation work. If the Owner Operator does not provide satisfactory evidence of compliance when requested, it can lead to legal complications. Ensuring that all permits are in place before signing the agreement is crucial for both parties.
Many individuals also overlook the importance of understanding the indemnification clauses included in the agreement. The Owner Operator is responsible for defending and indemnifying the Carrier against various liabilities. Misunderstanding these responsibilities can lead to unexpected legal and financial consequences. It is essential to read and comprehend these sections thoroughly to avoid potential pitfalls.
Finally, failing to maintain proper documentation can be a significant mistake. The Owner Operator is required to keep signed receipts and other records for at least two years. These documents are vital for proving compliance with the terms of the agreement. Inadequate record-keeping can result in difficulties in resolving disputes or verifying the fulfillment of obligations under the contract.
OWNER OPERATOR LEASE AGREEMENT
THIS agreement, entered into this ____day of ______________20___ between
______________________, (Hereinafter designated as “Carrier”), and
______________________, (Hereinafter designated as “Owner Operator”),
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Owner Operator is engaged in the transportation of general freights of all kinds (FAK) by motor vehicle as a contract Carrier and desires to transport goods for Carrier; and WHEREAS, to facilitate such transportation and for the convenience in handling such transaction, the parties have agreed to the terms and conditions under which transportation shall be made, as hereinafter set forth.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and conditions herein contained it is hereby agreed as follows:
(1) GENERAL PROVISIONS:
(a)Owner Operator, in its operations hereunder, shall secure all permits, licenses and approvals necessary for the accomplishment of the work to be done hereunder and shall comply fully with all applicable laws, rules, orders and regulation of all governments and agencies thereof, whether federal, state or local, and shall furnish Carrier with satisfactory evidence thereof whenever requested to do so. Among other things, Owner Operator shall provide to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration certificate showing Owner Operator holds contract authority from such commission covering the commodities and transportation routes to which this agreement relates, and Owner Operator shall give immediate notice to Carrier of any cancellation or modification of such authority. When transporting hazardous wastes, substances to or materials pursuant this agreement, Owner Operator shall comply with all applicable federal, state and local hazardous wastes, substances or materials laws and regulations and shall furnish Carrier with satisfactory evidence thereof whenever requested to do so.
(b)The Owner Operator hereby agrees to deliver for the Carrier for transportation, not less than the following amount: one shipment of freight of all kinds (FAK) during a period of
____________________. The Owner Operator further agrees, subject to availability and loading tendered for transportation by Carrier.
(c)All such cargo shall be transported hereunder in accordance with this agreement and the provisions of Carrier’s tariff’s or service contracts applicable to such cargo. Cargo shall include any containers in which goods are packed when received by Owner Operator hereunder.
(d)This agreement shall not be modified or altered unless in writing, signed by both parties to this agreement.
(e)This contract shall terminate all previous contracts between the parties hereto relating to the transportation Freight all kinds (FAK) and shall remain in full force and effect for the term of this agreement.
(f)It is to be clearly understood and it is the intention of the parties hereto that Owner Operator shall employ all persons operating trucks hereunder, that such persons shall be and remain the employees of the Owner Operator, that the Owner Operator shall be an independent contractor of the Carrier and that nothing herein contained shall be construed to be inconsistent with that relation or status.
(g)It is further to be clearly understood that where the Owner Operator engages any
subcontractor for any portion of the work hereunder, such engagement will not alter the relationship of the Owner Operator to the Carrier as an independent contractor and shall not establish any relationship or obligation between Carrier and any subcontractor. Owner Operator will continue to be solely responsible for compliance with or performance for any subcontractors actually doing such work and will otherwise defend, indemnify and save harmless the Carrier, its agents and servants from any such claims, liabilities, penalties and fines (whether criminal or civil), judgments outlays and expenses (including attorney’s fees).
(h)Owner Operator shall defend, indemnify and save harmless the Carrier, its agents and servants from any and all liabilities, penalties and fines (whether criminal or civil), judgments, outlays and expenses (including attorney’s fees) resulting from Owner Operator’s failure or the failure of Owner Operator’s agents, employees, subcontractors or representatives to comply with any applicable laws and regulations, whether federal, state or local, or property arising out of the performance of this agreement caused by the acts, failure to act or negligence of Owner Operator, subcontractors, its agent, employees, or representatives.
(i)Owner Operator will assume all liability for and will otherwise defend, indemnify and save harmless the Carrier, its agents or servants from any and all liabilities, penalties and fines (whether criminal or civil). Judgments, outlays and expenses (including attorney’s fees) resulting from any release or discharge of hazardous wastes, substances or materials that occurs during transportation and Owner Operator will assume all responsibility and liability for cleanup of any release or discharge of hazardous wastes, substances or materials that occurs during transportation and will otherwise defend indemnify and save harmless the Shipper, its agents and servants from any and all liabilities, penalties and fines (whether criminal or civil), judgments, outlays and expenses (including attorney fees) resulting from the cleanup of any such release or discharge.
(j)Owner Operator will defend, indemnify and save harmless the Carrier, its agents and servants from any and all liabilities, penalties and fines (whether criminal or civil in nature), judgments, outlays and expenses (including attorney’s fees) resulting from the Owner Operator’s failure or the failure of Carrier’s agents, employees, subcontractors or representatives to perform any of the terms, conditions, promises or covenants contained in this contract.
(k)Carrier shall have full responsibility for all payments, benefits, and rights of whatsoever nature to or on behalf of any of its employees and to ensure that its subcontractor shall have the same responsibility.
(l)It is further agreed by the parties hereto that Owner Operator is not to display the name of Carrier upon or about any of the Owner Operator’s vehicles, without Carrier’s written consent.
(m)Any limitation on or exemption from liability in any tariff, receipt, bill of lading, or other document issued by or on behalf of Owner Operator shall have no legal effect and shall not otherwise apply with respect to shipments tendered by or on behalf of Carrier unless specifically agreed in writing by the Owner Operator. Any limitations on or exemptions from liability contained in a Owner Operator’s tariff, receipt, bill of lading, or other document issued in conjunction with a specific shipment moving under this Contract shall have no legal effect and shall not otherwise be applicable to such shipments.
2.RECEIPTS OF GOODS:
(a)Owner Operator agrees, upon receipt from Carrier of such quantities of Carrier’s goods as may be tendered from time to time under this agreement by Carrier or by a third party on behalf of Carrier to give Carrier a written receipt thereof, which shall be prima facie evidence of receipt of such goods in good order and condition unless otherwise noted upon the face of such receipt; and, in the case of transportation of hazardous wastes, substances or materials such written receipt shall be prima facie evidence of receipt of such wastes, substances or materials in a condition and manner which complies with all applicable laws and regulations, whether federal, state or local. In the event that Owner Operator elects to use a tariff, bill of lading, manifest or other form of freight receipt or contract, any terms, conditions and provisions of such bill of lading, manifest or other form shall be subject and subordinate to the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement, and in the event of a conflict between the terms, conditions and provisions of such tariff, bill of lading, manifest or other form and this Agreement, the terms, conditions and provisions of this Agreement shall govern.
(b)Owner Operator agrees to take signed receipts upon forms satisfactory to Carrier from all persons to whom deliveries shall be made, which receipts shall be retained by Owner Operator for at least two (2) years and shall be available for inspection and use of Shipper.
3. CARE AND CUSTODY OF MERCHANDISE:
(a)Owner Operator hereby assume the liability of an insurer of the prompt and safe transportation of all goods entrusted to its care, and shall be responsible to Carrier for all loss or damage of whatever kind and nature and howsoever, caused to any and all goods entrusted to Owner Operator hereunder occurring, while same remains in the care, custody or control of Owner Operator or to any other persons to whom the Owner Operator may have entrusted said goods and before said goods are delivered as herein provided or returned to Carrier.
(b)On occasion, Owner Operator will be requested to transport reefer cargo refrigerated containers. On all occasions, refrigerated containers must be transported with an attached generator set (nose mounted or under-slung) unless specifically advised by Carrier in writing that a generator set is not required. It is the Carrier’s responsibility to ensure a generator set is attached and running properly at the assigned temperature at the time of interchange.
4. INSURANCE:
(a)Owner Operator agrees to be a motor Carrier member in good standing in the Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement (UIIA). Owner Operator further agrees to comply with the insurance requirements of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the states through which the Owner Operator operates. Owner Operator’s insurance coverage shall, at a minimum, comply with the minimum requirements as stated in the UIIA.
(b)The Owner Operator agrees to carry cargo, personal injury, death, equipment and general insurance and will promptly reimburse Carrier for the value of any goods (including containers) lost or destroyed during the period of Owner Operator’s responsibility under clause (3) (a). All such insurance shall be as additional insured.
(c)The Owner Operator agrees to provide the UIIA with appropriate certification and a copy of each policy of insurance and renewals thereof or other satisfactory evidence that Owner Operator has obtained insurance in compliance with the requirements and terms of this agreement.
(d)The Owner Operator will arrange with its broker and/or insurance Carrier(s) that notice of coverage and limits will be sent directly to the UIIA, as well and cancellation notices and
amendments to coverage(s).
5. ASSIGNMENTS:
This contract cannot be assigned by Owner Operator without the written consent of Carrier.
6. COMPENSATION, COMMODITIES, TERRITORY:
(a)Acceptable rates and charges, rules and regulations, the commodities to be transported, and the points from and to which they shall be transported, are to be furnished the Carrier, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and other regulatory bodies as may be required, as set forth in the rate schedule attached hereto and made a part hereof. Carrier agrees to pay Owner Operator as full compensation for services to be performed by Carrier under said rules and regulations the rates and charges set forth in the rate schedule, within sixty (60) days of invoice date.
(b)This agreement is to become effective upon signature by Carrier and Owner Operator.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY:
Owner Operator shall treat as confidential, and not to disclose to third parties, the terms of this agreement or any information concerning the Carrier’s business including information regarding suppliers, products and customers without in each instance obtaining Carrier’s written consent in advance.
8. NOTICES:
All notices given pursuant to this agreement shall be given in writing by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, and addressed as directed by the parties from time to time.
CARRIER: ______________________________________________________________
9. APPLICABLE LAW:
To the extent state law applies, this agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the state of ____________________.
SIGNATURES
•OWNER OPERATOR
_______________________________
NAME
•CARRIER
Printable Mar - Establishing a routine of accurate entries boosts confidence in medication management.
When engaging in the sale of a motorcycle in New York, it is crucial to complete a New York Motorcycle Bill of Sale form to document the transaction. This form serves to verify that the sale is legal and binding, offering peace of mind to both parties. For additional information and to access the necessary documentation, you can find the Motorcycle Bill of Sale form online.
U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return - Corporations may need additional forms to report specific activities alongside the 1120.