Content Sponsored by Nova Lines

Being a lease-purchase (LP) driver means more than driving freight from Point A to Point B. It means you’re running a business, and like any business owner, your decisions directly impact your profitability.

At Nova Lines, we work with hundreds of LP drivers and know what separates success from the struggle. This blog isn’t filled with fluff. It’s a real-world breakdown of how to run smart and make the most of the tools available to you. These include resources that Nova Lines provides to contractors that help reduce costs and maximize your revenue.

There’s a lot of information online about Nova Lines including everything from fuel strategy tips to driver forums, Nova Lines Settlements (Known for being transparent!) and industry news. But the reality for our lease-purchase contractors is more straightforward: profitability comes down to how you run your business.

1. Mindset Shift: You’re a Business Owner Now

This isn’t just a job. It’s a business. And treating it that way changes everything.

Profitable LP drivers track every dollar in and every dollar out. They understand that more miles don’t always mean more profit. They plan for downtime, know their cost per mile, and make every run count. If you want consistent take-home pay, you need consistent decision-making.

Start with this question: “What’s my break-even point this week?” If you don’t know, you’re already behind.

2. Fuel: Strategy Over Habit

Fuel is your biggest variable cost. The smartest drivers approach it with a strategy. Nova Lines offers up to $0.60 per gallon in discounts at Love’s, which adds up fast. But a discount only matters if you’re fueling smart.

Smart Fueling Tips:

• Plan your fuel stops in advance using route planning tools and apps like Trucker Path.
• Don’t default to the same truck stop every time—use route planning tools to find where your discounted price is lowest, even if it’s a few miles down the road.
• Use your truck’s EPU or APU instead of idling. Idling burns fuel fast and drives up costs.
• Reduce idle time in general. Idling a heavy-duty truck consumes about 0.8 gallons of fuel per hour. At the national average of $3.162 per gallon as of March 31 (EIA.gov), that’s roughly $2.53 an hour wasted while parked.
• Keep your tires properly inflated, and if you’re using aftermarket fairings or aero kits, make sure they’re in good condition and secure. Small things like a loose side skirt or missing mudflap can impact MPG over time.
• Fuel is not the place to be casual. It’s the place to be calculated.

3. Maintenance: Stay Ahead of the Breakdown

Maintenance isn’t a surprise. It’s a certainty. The question is whether it will be on your terms or when you’re stuck on the shoulder.

Here’s how to run smart:

• Complete pre- and post-trip inspections religiously. That’s not just DOT advice, it’s how you spot small issues before they become big ones.
• Use your maintenance account with Nova Lines. That’s your fund to pay for some repairs & maintenance, and it exists for a reason.
• Nova Lines offers preferred pricing and scheduling at our on-site shop. Less downtime, better pricing. Use it.
• If something feels off, talk to the maintenance team. They are here to help you keep rolling.

Don’t wait for something to break. Anticipate it.

4. Load Strategy and Communication Go Hand in Hand

Not all loads are created equal. Some burn more fuel. Some lead to dead zones. The most profitable LP drivers understand that.

Know your numbers:

• Your cost per mile (CPM).
• Your target gross and net per week.
• The value of saying no to a load that doesn’t make sense financially.

But don’t just know your numbers. Share them.

Your dispatcher is your business partner. Communicate clearly and often. The more they understand your goals, your preferences, and how you like to run, the better your week will be.

This isn’t micro-management, it’s a relationship. 

5. Downtime: Don’t Let It Kill Your Paycheck 

Downtime is where the profits bleed.

Smart drivers:

• Plan their required breaks and stick to them.
• Stay available for dispatch.
• Avoid oversleeping or taking unplanned extended resets. It’s no different from any other job, less time worked usually means less pay.

Nova Lines helps you reduce downtime with:

• A driver-focused operations team that avoids dead zones.
• On-site shop = fewer wasted days waiting on repairs.
• A dispatch structure that values your time.

Stay ready, stay moving.

6. Revenue Goals: Reverse Engineer the Week

What do you want to take home this week?

Let’s say it’s $2,000.

Start with that and build backward:

• Add up your fixed expenses (truck payment, insurance, etc.).
• Estimate your fuel based on planned loads.
• Add in your tax withholding.
• Now calculate your gross revenue needed.

That number becomes your target. Know it and run toward it.

7. Fixed Expenses: Know them. Nova Lines Settlements are straightforward.

Your contract outlines your fixed expenses. Don’t treat that like fine print, treat it like your business blueprint.

Smart habits:

• Keep a copy of your contract on your phone or in your truck.
• Review your settlements and confirm that your deductions match what you agreed to.
• Put aside a small amount weekly into an emergency fund for repairs, time off, or unexpected expenses.

Being an independent contractor gives you the chance to earn far more than a company driver and with far less management. But that doesn’t mean no management. It just means the manager is you.

Pro Tip: Understanding your contract, tracking deductions, and avoiding surprises in your settlement isn’t just smart, it’s how experienced LP drivers avoid costly mistakes that sometimes lead others to talk about lawsuits or settlements after the fact. Nova Lines Settlement’s are straightforward to ensure that drivers know what their expenses are.

8. Taxes: Plan or Pay Later

Don’t wait until tax season to think about taxes. Set aside 20–30% of your net income weekly. Every week.

Nova Lines partners with ATBS, a tax and business services provider that works specifically with truck drivers. As a Nova Lines contractor, you get discounted pricing on:

• Monthly bookkeeping
• Tax filing
• Quarterly estimates
• Maximizing deductions (fuel, meals, lodging, phone, maintenance, etc.)

If you’re not using a pro, you’re probably leaving money on the table.

9. Use Your Nova Lines Support Team

You are not on your own. At Nova Lines, dispatchers are paid based on revenue, so they’re motivated to help you succeed. That alignment of incentives is a big deal.

And there’s more:

• Our Operations Support Manager works directly with drivers on improving business performance. You can find them in the driver lounge at our terminal.

Ask questions. Get feedback. Your truck might be running solo, but your business isn’t.

10. Leverage Bonuses

Bonuses aren’t just a perk. They’re a profit tool.

• Get a sign-on bonus? Park it in savings for emergencies or planned time off.
• Know someone who would be a great fit at Nova Lines? You earn $2,000 per referral.
• Maintain a great CSA score and safe driving record? There are bonuses for that too.

Put your bonuses in a separate fund and let them work for you later.

Conclusion: Run Smart. Win Big.

Lease-purchase drivers at Nova Lines are business owners. And with the right tools, mindset, and Nova Lines support, they can build businesses that are not only profitable, but sustainable. With Nova Lines settlements, drivers know exactly what is being deducted, so they can be successful.

This isn’t about luck. It’s about using the resources around you and making smart, consistent decisions. At Nova Lines, we’re not just offering trucks. We’re offering a system that helps contractors win.

If you’re ready to run smart—we’re ready to roll with you.

Interested in becoming a lease-purchase driver with Nova Lines? Visit www.DriveNovaLines.com for more information.

This is sponsored content.