Getting started
Welcome. Here's the full picture of what it takes to join Armstrong Transport as an independent hauler — from application to your first paid trip. No shortcuts, no hidden fees, no fine print to chase down.
Platform fee
10%
flat per completed trip
Minimum liability
$300K
commercial-auto
Escrow release
48h
after marked delivered
The 8 steps
- 1
Apply
Submit your USDA Class B transport license number, commercial-auto insurance carrier + policy + liability amount (minimum $300,000), and basic contact info.
10 minutesOpen the application → - 2
Get verified
We review applications within 2-3 business days. You'll receive an approval email once your license, insurance, and identity check out.
2–3 business days - 3
Connect Stripe
Approval triggers a Stripe Connect Express onboarding email. You link your bank account, verify identity, and submit your W-9. This is required before payouts can flow.
15 minutes - 4
Set your service area
Log into your transporter dashboard and configure preferences: which U.S. states you cover, preferred lanes, breed-size familiarity, blackout dates, and how many bid invitations per day you want to receive.
5 minutesGo to your dashboard → - 5
Receive bid invitations
Every buyer request whose route overlaps your service area appears in your dashboard's "Open bid invitations" section. You also get an email alert (capped by your daily-notification preference).
ongoing - 6
Submit competitive bids
Quote your price, optionally include a pickup ETA + notes ("crate provided", "insulin-trained", etc.). You see what you net after the 10% platform fee live as you type. Buyers see your bid alongside competitors and pick a winner.
2 minutes per bid - 7
Win → pick up → deliver
Buyer pays via Stripe Checkout (funds held in marketplace escrow). You pick up, drive, deliver. Mark the trip "Delivered" in your dashboard. The buyer has 48 hours to confirm — after that, escrow auto-releases to your Stripe Connect balance.
varies - 8
Get paid
Stripe transfers funds to your bank on your normal Connect payout schedule (default: every 2 business days). Lifetime earnings track in your dashboard.
1–3 business days after release
Read before you apply
Transporter Agreement
Binding contract you'll sign at approval. Covers escrow, cancellations, disputes, strikes, exclusivity.
Sample copy — actual signed copy emailed at approval.
OpenTransporter FAQ
15 plain-English answers to the most common questions before you apply.
OpenRefund Policy §9
Customer-facing tier table for cancellations, disputes, delay flags, and Stripe Connect fees.
OpenQuick FAQ
Do I have to accept every trip in my service area?
No. Bids are opt-in — you only respond to the routes you want. Use blackout dates or pause your account any time you need a break.
What if the buyer cancels?
Tiered policy. ≥72h notice = full buyer refund (no fee to you). 24–72h = 25% kill fee paid to you. <24h = 50% kill fee paid to you. Pre-payment cancels (before checkout) cost nothing.
What if I have to cancel?
The buyer always gets a full refund. ≥12 hours notice = no penalty. <12 hours = +1 strike. Three strikes in a rolling 90-day window = 30-day suspension. Be honest — flag delays instead of cancelling when you can.
Dog isn't ready at pickup, or the weather turns bad — now what?
Flag the delay from the trip card (5 reasons available: weather, mechanical, unreachable, reschedule, other). Each active flag pauses auto-release +24h. Clear the flag once the issue resolves.
Buyer ghosts after delivery?
Auto-release at 48h covers you in 99% of cases. If they open a frivolous dispute, Armstrong mediates within 72 business hours. Disputes are not a popular tool — fewer than 1% of trips end up there.
Is the 10% fee really all I pay?
Yes. No monthly subscription, no per-bid charge, no Stripe Connect fee from us (Stripe takes their normal ~2.9% + 30¢ on top — same as any card processor). 10% covers verification, dispute mediation, the marketplace, and customer support.
Can I work with my regular buyers exclusively?
Yes — every completed trip auto-creates a "preferred client" pair. In a future release, those buyers will get first-look bid routing to you before fanning out to the wider pool. For now, the pair shows in your dashboard for relationship tracking.
Where do I see the full legal agreement?
Download the full Transporter Agreement PDF (covers exclusivity, dispute escalation, insurance obligations, and the strike system in plain English) below.