Emeka Ogbonna

My background in logistics, trucking operations and digital media

Trucking operations

I went from a driving school in Louisiana to running freight under my own authority. I have hauled freight across the country at every step.

1. 2015

   Coastal Truck Driving School

   I finished Coastal Truck Driving School in Alexandria, Louisiana, in July 2015. That is where my driving career began.

2. Early career

   Averitt Express

   Averitt Express hired me as a company driver. I learned dock backing there. I also hauled hazmat loads and learned the placard rules.

3. 2016

   J.B. Hunt Transport

   I drove for J.B. Hunt Transport. While there I took the Smith System road course in safe driving.

4. 2016

   National Carriers

   I joined National Carriers and learned to haul reefer loads, the freight that has to stay cold.

5. 2019

   My first truck

   In 2019, I bought my first truck: a 2009 Freightliner Columbia with a Detroit engine.

6. 3 years

   Landstar Ranger

   I leased the truck to Landstar Ranger for 3 years as an owner operator.

7. Today

   My own authority

   I got my own Motor Carrier Authority. I still drive under it today.

Logistics and freight

I hold Hazmat and Tanker Endorsements on my CDL. That means I can haul hazmat and tank loads. I know the placard rules and the FMCSA safety rules that come with them.

I also run a motor carrier under my own authority. This is the freight work I know best.

• Hazmat loads and the placard rules
• Tank loads under my Tanker Endorsement
• Reefer trailers and freight that has to stay cold
• Dock backing in tight spots
• Safe driving courses from Smith System and the National Safety Council

Digital media and publishing

I started RigDigest to give truck drivers and owner operators real world help they can use. I am its founder and chief writer. Every article comes from miles I drove myself.

I also own and founded San Antonio Maid Services LLC. I built it on my years of cleaning work, and I write the cleaning articles on its website. I write about both trades from what I have done myself.

Read my full background on my personal website

Certificates and training

These are the papers behind my career, from truck driving school to carrier and safety courses. You can see the originals on my personal website.

• License

  Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Hazmat and Tanker Endorsements

  I can haul hazmat and tank loads.

• July 22, 2015

  Truck Driver Training Diploma

  Coastal College, Alexandria, Louisiana

  I finished the truck driver training course. I met the federal entry level driver training rules in 49 CFR 380.503.

• Carrier training

  Certificate of Graduation, Averitt Finishing School

  Averitt Express

  I finished the Averitt Truckload Driver Trainer Course and the Averitt Finishing School.

• July 7, 2016

  DriverDirect On Road Defensive Driving Course

  Smith System Driver Improvement Institute

  I took the Smith System road course in safe driving through J.B. Hunt Transport.

• July 20, 2016

  Certificate of Completion, National Carriers

  National Carriers Inc.

  I met the National Carriers course rules. That took in the on board recorder training that FMCSA Part 395 calls for.

• March 27, 2019

  NSC Professional Truck Driver

  National Safety Council

  I finished the 4 hour National Safety Council Professional Truck Driver course. I took it at the Landstar Transportation Logistics training center.

View the original certificates on my personal website

What I cover on RigDigest

RigDigest is about the business side of owning a truck. These are the sections I write for. Start with the one that fits where you are.

• Get Started
• Buying a Truck
• Loads & Rates
• Money & Taxes
• Lease On
• Calculators

How RigDigest researches and fact checksWhy RigDigest exists