How to Pay for Maintenance

• Financial preparedness for truck drivers
• Options for paying truck maintenance costs
• Practical advice for managing truck maintenance costs

Let’s face it: Truck maintenance isn’t cheap, and it rarely happens at a convenient time. Whether you're an owner-operator or a lease driver, the moment something starts knocking around under the hood, one thing runs through your mind: “How am I going to pay for this?”

You're not alone. Anderson Trucking Service (ATS) has been in this industry for over 70 years — hauling freight, maintaining fleets, and working shoulder-to-shoulder with drivers across the country. We’ve seen firsthand the financial strain maintenance costs can put on truckers.

But we’ve also seen what works.

So, in this article, we’ll walk you through how to prepare for truck maintenance financially, what your payment options are when the unexpected happens, and how you can reduce costs long-term by taking a few proactive steps.

Financial Preparedness for Drivers

When you get right down to it, choosing to own or lease a truck is choosing to become a business owner. And like any business, your success will require capital, planning, and a cushion for when things go sideways.

Many drivers come into the game with just enough saved to cover the lease down payment and a few weeks of fuel. But that’s rarely enough.

Maintenance, roadside breakdowns, tires, oil changes, filters — it all adds up fast. In our experience at ATS, the majority of new drivers aren’t truly financially prepared to manage these expenses when they start.

Unfortunately, some carriers don't help matters by approving leases for folks who aren’t ready. When drivers are handed the keys before they’re financially equipped, it sets them up for stress, missed payments, or even losing their truck altogether.

The reality is it takes two to tango. The transportation industry as a whole needs to step up and better prepare prospective drivers with realistic expectations for the financial responsibility.

Likewise, anyone considering entering the industry as an owner-operator or lease driver should do thorough research (and an honest assessment of their personal finances) before signing on the dotted line.

The good news is that while industry-wide change takes time, you’ve already begun doing your due diligence simply by reading this article. Because at the end of the day, the best way to prepare for truck maintenance costs is to go in with your eyes open and your expectations managed.

Options for Paying Truck Maintenance Costs

When it comes to footing the bill for maintenance, there are a few paths you can take—some better than others depending on your situation.

• Start a Maintenance Account (and Actually Use It): Whether your carrier enforces it or not, a maintenance account is a must. Think of it like an emergency fund. Every mile you drive, set aside a few cents per mile into that account. It’s your first and best defense against surprise repairs.
  
  
• Be Smart About Deferred Maintenance: In some situations, it makes sense to delay non-essential repairs. If your truck’s still running well (and safely), deferring a cosmetic fix or minor issue might help you conserve funds for more critical work down the road.
  • Don’t put off safety-related or DOT-required repairs, or any issues that could cause a domino effect of problems if not addressed ASAP.
  • Be strategic. Think about your maintenance needs as three distinct buckets: What must be fixed now, what will prevent future failures, and what would be nice to get done. Nothing in the first category should be deferred; anything in the third category likely can be.
    
    
• Use Credit or Company Lines: Some carriers offer credit lines or maintenance charge accounts. These can be helpful in a pinch, but they’re not free money. Be diligent about repayment, and remember that interest and fees can stack up quickly if you’re not careful.
  
  
• Take Out a Loan or Promissory Note: Loans or promissory notes are another option. These give you a lump sum to cover costs, but like relying on credit, you’ll need to factor in interest and repayment terms. Make sure you have the freight volume and pay structure to keep up with payments before going this route.
  
  

Practical Advice for Managing Truck Maintenance Costs

Managing maintenance costs comes down to more than keeping your finances balanced. While they may not be flashy or feel monumental, small, practical steps and habits can make a world of difference in preventing unexpected maintenance costs.

Here are a few practical ways to reduce expenses and stretch your dollars:

• Understand Your Warranty: Know what’s covered and what’s not. If your repair falls under warranty, you could save thousands. Don’t assume — ask questions and check your paperwork.
  
  
• Do the Basics Yourself: Oil checks, light replacements, air filter swaps — these basic maintenance tasks can often be done on your own with a little know-how and the right tools.
  • If you are a lease driver, make sure you understand what you can do: If you have the skill and it’s allowed under the terms of your lease, and you are physically able to perform that maintenance yourself, it will likely save you money to do so!
    
    
• Separate Needs from Wants: Not all maintenance is created equal. Learn to distinguish necessary repairs (things that impact safety or performance) from “nice to have” improvements, like brand-new tires or brakes when your current setup is running just fine.
  
  
• Adopt Daily Habits That Prevent Wear and Tear: Managing idle time, checking tire pressure, doing your pre-trip inspections, and sticking to preventative maintenance schedules can significantly reduce the likelihood of major repairs.
  
  
• Work With a Maintenance Team You Trust: Some trucking companies have in-house maintenance shops that can help you prioritize repairs, avoid unnecessary charges, and even work with you on payment timing. The best trucking companies staff their shops with true experts that keep drivers’ best interests at heart — you can generally rely on them to steer you right.

Proactively Protect Your Business

Ultimately, managing the costs of truck maintenance is a long-term investment in your livelihood. The decisions you make about how to prepare, when and where to go for service, and how to cover costs all add up to one thing: your business's success.

By thinking ahead, using the tools at your disposal, and working with people who care about your future, you can navigate even the toughest maintenance curveballs with confidence.

If you want to keep your truck in top condition (and avoid as many repair bills as possible), check out our article on the importance of semi-truck preventative maintenance — it’s packed with tips to help you stay ahead of the game.