25 Profitable Business Opportunities That Require A CDL

Updated: July 24th, 2023

Interested to start a business using CDL but not quite sure what to start?



The good news is, there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative product/service in this line of work.



If you're looking to start your own business using CDL, there are several low-capital options you can choose from.



We put a list together below of the most profitable business opportunities using CDL you can start today!



Here they are:



1. Start a junk removal business

Households and businesses need help hauling away broken furniture, clearing out trash, and even emptying properties during a foreclosure. Therefore, the demand for junk removal services is high. Starting a junk removal business can be profitable if you own a box truck and are looking for self-employment opportunities.

To begin, perform market research in your area, and apply for the necessary regulatory permits or licenses. Build a website and market your services.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $230,000/month

How long does it take to build: 55 days (?)

How I Started A $18K/Month Junk Removal Company Before Graduating From College

23-year-old Sam Evans founded You Call We Haul Junk Removal which brings in around $20,000 in revenue per month with a profit of 65% per job, servicing any individuals who have unneeded junk, and aims to franchise the business in the long-term.

Read by 50,743 founders

2. Start a moving company

Moving companies help people move their belongings from one location to another. The services can involve packing and shipping household items to physically moving them from one place to another. The moving can include anything from local moves to long-distance relocations.

Moving companies typically charge by the hour or job, so you’ll need to price your services accordingly. You’ll also need to invest in moving equipment, such as trucks and dollies.

How much you can make: $60,000 — $2,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)

How I Started A $1M/Year Moving Company At 19 Years Old

A 23-year-old founder started a moving company that now averages $115,000 a month in revenue and has record monthly sales of $158,000 by prioritizing customer service and using simple, common sense practices like friendly movers and a transparent pricing structure.

Read by 52,730 founders

3. Start a double decker bus

Starting a double decker bus business can be a unique and exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the transportation industry. These buses, which are typically used for sightseeing tours or as party buses, can be a popular choice for special events and group outings.

To start a double decker bus business, you will need to purchase one or more buses and ensure that they are properly licensed and insured. You may also need to hire drivers and possibly tour guides, depending on the type of services you offer. Marketing your business through social media, local advertising, and partnerships with local attractions and event planners can help you attract customers.

One of the key considerations for running a successful double decker bus business is safety. Ensuring that your buses are well-maintained and that your drivers are properly trained and licensed is crucial. You will also need to adhere to local regulations and laws related to transportation, such as seatbelt requirements and maximum capacity limits.

Overall, starting a double decker bus business can be a rewarding and lucrative opportunity for those who are passionate about transportation and customer service. With proper planning and attention to safety and regulations, you can build a successful business that provides a unique and enjoyable experience for your customers.

4. Start a water hauling business

5. Start a hauling renovation materials business

6. Start a vehicle towing service

Are you a car enthusiast passionate about helping others out of a jam? Then the vehicle towing business may be the perfect opportunity for you! This business entails roadside assistance to those whose vehicles have broken down or been involved in an accident. As the owner of a towing business, you’ll be responsible for transporting vehicles to repair shops, impound lots, or other locations as requested by your clients.

One of the critical elements of operating a successful towing business is providing prompt and reliable service. Customers in need of roadside assistance are often in stressful situations, so responding quickly and efficiently to their calls for help is essential. Investing in a fleet of well-maintained tow trucks and hiring experienced, professional drivers will ensure that you’re able to meet the demands of your clients.

In addition to providing reliable service, it’s also essential to have a good reputation in the community. Building positive relationships with local mechanics, body shops, and insurance companies will help to generate new business. And don’t forget to promote your services through local advertising, social media, and word of mouth.

Another tip for operating a successful towing business is to be well-versed in the various regulations and laws that apply to the industry. This includes obtaining the necessary licenses and permits, as well as being familiar with laws regarding the transport of vehicles.

Operating a vehicle towing business can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor. With hard work, dedication, and a commitment to providing excellent service, you’ll be well on your way to success in this lucrative and scintillating field!

How much you can make: $1,500,000/month

How long does it take to build: 280 days (?)

How I Started A $18M/Year Vehicle Shipping Brokerage Business

Eric Ray founded Easy Auto Ship LLC, a vehicle shipping brokerage, generating $250,000/month in brokerage fees with a net profit of $100,000/month and averaging over 1,500 Google reviews with a 4.6 rating, expected to earn $18 million/year in total sales, expanding into B2B with two more divisions.

Read by 10,386 founders

7. Start a furniture delivery and assembling business

A furniture delivery business is a low-barrier to entry business opportunity for a handyperson with tools and a truck. You can manage the business easily from your home office or online, keeping operating expenses minimal.

As the home construction business experience a boom, demand for new furniture is also increasing. New home buyers purchase furniture online and look for a handy person to help with the delivery and assembly.

To start a furniture delivery and assembly business, partner with furniture manufacturers and become their local agent. For every order, they send, request to be the delivery and assembly partner.

8. Start an airport bus shuttle services

An airport bus shuttle service transports people and luggage to and from or within airports. An airport shuttle service can be profitable to operate.

If you plan to start an airport bus shuttle, focus on building alliances and partnerships with companies and local businesses that will supply you with customers.

9. Start a transport and logistics business

A transport and logistics business moves goods and materials from one location to another. Depending on your client’s needs, you can use a truck, train, boat, or plane. To start this business, you will need a fleet of vehicles, a team of drivers, and a warehouse or storage facility. You will also need to obtain the licenses and permits to operate legally.

To operate this business, you must communicate with your clients to understand their shipping needs and negotiate prices. You will then need to plan routes and schedules for your drivers and ensure that all goods are transported safely and efficiently. You will also need to track shipments and update clients on the status of their deliveries.

In addition to transportation, you may also offer warehousing and storage services. This service would involve receiving and storing goods in your warehouse until they are ready to be shipped out. You may also provide value-added services such as packing and labeling to help your clients save time and effort.

Overall, running a transport and logistics business requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent customer service. If you are up for the challenge, this can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $415,000/month

How long does it take to build: 110 days (?)

How I Started A $20K/Month Auto Shipping Broker Business

Nationwide Auto Transportation ships approximately 4,000 vehicles per month and has served more than 50,000 customers, offering custom services such as help for clients who cannot find suitable carriers for their vehicle.

Read by 30,691 founders

10. Start an appliance repair and delivery business

Household appliances break down and need repair. Besides, you need to keep up with regular appliance maintenance to keep power consumption in control and ensure the appliance's optimal performance. Therefore, the demand for appliance repair technicians will remain high. Starting an appliance repair and delivery service can be profitable.

First, you need basic electrical engineering training to understand how appliances operate. Then, you can start with a home-based appliance repair service, where you move door-to-door, fixing broken machines. To grow your business, focus on online sales and ensuring your customer's satisfaction so they can recommend your services to friends and colleagues.

11. Start a cross country bus shuttle service

12. Start a hauling luxury vehicles business

13. Start a waste hauling business

Waste hauling is an easy and profitable business to get started in. If you own a dump trailer or rent one, you can start a waste haulage business and build a hugely profitable enterprise. To operate a waste haulage business, you need relevant waste carriers licenses and personal protective equipment for you and your staff.

How much you can make: $4,000 — $230,000/month

How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)

How I Started A $41K/Month Residential Waste Removal Service

This case study showcases the story of a locally owned and operated residential waste removal business based in Colorado Springs started with a pick-up truck and a $35k loan, which now has 51 dumpsters, two roll-off dumpster delivery trucks, two residential garbage trucks, and is projecting $700-800k in sales for 2020.

Read by 14,532 founders

14. Start a shuttle service

A shuttle service business provides transportation services to individuals or groups between two locations. This could include airport shuttles, hotel shuttles, or corporate shuttles. To start this business, you will need to obtain a commercial driver’s license and purchase or lease a vehicle that meets the requirements for shuttle services. Depending on your location, you may also need to obtain any necessary permits or licenses.

To run this business successfully, it is important to have a well-planned and organized schedule to ensure that you can meet your clients' needs. Having reliable and trustworthy drivers who can provide a safe and comfortable customer experience is also important. Providing excellent and timely customer service will be key to attracting and retaining clients.

To market your shuttle service business, you may consider partnering with hotels, airports, or corporate clients to offer your services to their customers. You could also advertise online or through local print or radio advertisements. Building a strong online presence through a website and social media channels can also help to attract new clients.

Overall, a shuttle service business can be a lucrative and rewarding endeavor as long as you can meet your clients' needs and provide reliable and efficient transportation services.

15. Start a driving seniors business

16. Start a construction equipment delivery business

17. Start a boat transportation business

Global recreational boating marketing is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5%. Given the projected growth, and boat hauling service is another profitable opportunity for trucking companies.

Boat transportation service targets boat owners within the tourism and fishing industries. If you want a promising trucking business idea, hauling boats for money is a great opportunity.

How much you can make: $20,000/month

How I Started A $20K/Month Auto Shipping Broker Business

Nationwide Auto Transportation ships approximately 4,000 vehicles per month and has served more than 50,000 customers, offering custom services such as help for clients who cannot find suitable carriers for their vehicle.

Read by 30,691 founders

18. Start a towing service

Towing service refers to a licensed and insured business offering for-hire motor carrier service for stalled vehicles or other vehicles requiring a towing service.

The automobile towing industry opens up multiple opportunities to make money. To start the towing service, you need special licensing, towing equipment, and insurance to operate the tow truck business.

People need help when their cars break down, and they need someone who can get them out of the ditch, or off the side of the road and back on the road as quickly as possible. You can offer this service to people in your area who are having trouble getting their vehicle repaired, or if they're looking for a reliable place to get their car towed when they're not sure who can do it right away.

  1. It’s a great way to get into the business world without spending a lot of money. You can start out small and build your company over time as you see fit, which gives you more control over how your business develops.

  2. It’s an easy way to make money if you already have a truck and some basic equipment—all you need are customers!

  3. You can choose whether or not you want a full-time job or something part-time on nights or weekends only when necessary; this allows for flexibility in terms of hours worked each week without sacrificing any income whatsoever.

How much you can make: $415,000/month

How long does it take to build: 40 days (?)

I Quit My Full-Time Job & Launched A $5M/Year Towing & Auto Repair Business

Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair is Wisconsin's largest roadside assistance provider, bringing in $5 million in annual sales through its dedication to customer service, effective dispatching, and clean service, with a goal of expanding to other markets in Wisconsin and Illinois.

Read by 4,750 founders

19. Start a medical transportation business

20. Start a scrap metal hauling business

If you do not mind getting dirty and are passionate about helping keep the environment green, consider starting the scrap metal hauling business.

Hauling scrap metals and recycling or selling them to metal fabricators might be a profitable business. To start, you need a truck and a trailer, and a space where you can store and sort out the scrap metals.

Starting a metal hauling business lets you choose your working hours and be your own boss.

How much you can make: $600/month

How much does it cost to start: $5,500 (?)

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Validated My Business On Etsy And Launched My Own Handcrafted Artistry Shop

DownHomeModern's Marc Staples turned his creativity into a successful business through handcrafting windbells and chimes with a rustic style that pays homage to American Southwest decor.

Read by 2,822 founders

21. Start a livestock transportation business

22. Start a backhoe service business

23. Start an Excavator Business

Excavators are a very popular and growing business in Minecraft. They are used to dig and mine blocks from the ground.

This business idea is based on the idea of excavating things in Minecraft. You will have to dig holes to find ores and gems that you can sell or use in crafting.

You can also make money by selling your raw materials to other players who want them for crafting items such as armor or weapons. This is a very simple business idea that anyone can do with minimal cost and time investment.

24. Start a delivery service

Delivery service refers to a collection of services that deliver goods and products through the land, air, or waterways across locations. The delivery services serve B2B, B2C, and C2C customers.

The growing e-commerce sect and increased cross-border trade are some factors driving the growth of delivery services. Furthermore, consumer preference for online shopping has greatly contributed to the increased demand for delivery services.

To start a delivery service, make sure you have a cargo van, a fully functional website, and meet all the legalities for operating a business in your state.

How much you can make: $5,000 — $150,000/month

How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)

How I Started A $100K/Month Logistics And Delivery Service Company

How a logistics company grew its revenue over 300% in 2 years, starting with just 2 vans and 25k+ square feet of warehouse space, and focused on relationships, efficiency, and building trust with its customers.

Read by 12,888 founders

25. Start a septic waste hauling business

meet the author
Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.