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Trucking & Transportation Companies: Setting Up Direct Deposit (2026)
Direct deposit for a trucking company is set up once per employee with a bank authorization, prenoted, then paid through ACH on the pay schedule the state allows, with per-diem pay for drivers and owner-operator vs W-2 classification settling on the same file. BEG: $45 per employee per month inside the payroll software you already use, live in 3 to 5 days.
Setup for trucking companies
Each employee signs a direct deposit authorization with routing and account numbers, the account is prenoted with a zero-dollar test before the first live deposit, and split deposits are recorded per employee. Federal law does not let an employer make direct deposit mandatory to a bank of the employer's choosing, and most states require a paper or pay card alternative for employees who do not opt in.
Section 13(b)(1) of the FLSA provides an overtime exemption for employees of motor carriers and motor private carriers who work as drivers, driver's helpers, loaders or mechanics and whose duties affect the safety of operation of motor vehicles in interstate or foreign commerce.
Timing and the trucking company pay cycle
The ACH file goes two banking days before payday for the funds to land on the date, which means hours for OTR drivers and local drivers close earlier than the payday itself, and per-diem pay for drivers for the period is settled on that file or on a documented later settlement date. Off-cycle runs, final checks and corrections use same-day ACH where the bank supports it.
The rules behind this page, with sources
General information, not legal advice. Every rule below was read on the agency page linked next to it.
- Section 13(b)(1) of the FLSA provides an overtime exemption for employees of motor carriers and motor private carriers who work as drivers, driver's helpers, loaders or mechanics and whose duties affect the safety of operation of motor vehicles in interstate or foreign commerce. [DOL Fact Sheet #19]
Read the full guide to how to set up direct deposit, and the rest of the trucking company payroll library.
Managed Payroll, Handled.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a trucking company require direct deposit?
Federal Regulation E bars an employer from requiring deposit to a particular bank; the employee chooses the account. Many states add that a no-fee alternative must be offered, so a written opt-in with an alternative is the safe policy.
When does the trucking company pay file have to be released?
Two banking days before payday for standard ACH. Same-day ACH is available for off-cycle runs and corrections at a higher per-item cost. Section 13(b)(1) of the FLSA provides an overtime exemption for employees of motor carriers and motor private carriers who work as drivers, driver's helpers, loaders or mechanics and whose duties affect the safety of operation of motor vehicles in interstate or foreign commerce.
What does managed payroll cost for a trucking company?
$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive, inside the payroll software you already use, with no monthly minimum. Per-diem pay for drivers, owner-operator vs W-2 classification and DOT compliance are configured at setup, not billed as add-ons.
Related Resources
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries including Trucking & Transportation Companies. BEG manages payroll at $45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: IRS: Understanding Employment Taxes
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