The requirements to lease a semi-truck from SFI
Step 1: Fill out an application.
The first requirement to lease a semi-truck from SFI is to submit an application. You should be prepared to provide the following information when you apply:
Your contact information.
Your personal and financial information.
Your recent Class A CDL driving experience.
How much money you have for a truck security deposit.
What motor carrier, or carriers, you currently haul for or want to haul for.
If you have questions before starting your application or while filling it out, you can chat with an SFI representative by:
- starting a chat via our Live Chat
- emailing us at SFI@schneider.com
- calling us at 800-521-5859.
Step 2: Be contacted by an SFI Account Administrator.
After you submit an application, an SFI Account Administrator (AA) will reach out to you via phone call within 24 hours. During this time, the AA will discuss security deposit requirements, which vary from lease to lease, and review your business goals.
You can expect to discuss things like:
Your weekly revenue goal.
How you plan to obtain freight.
Your expected business expenses.
Whether you plan to lease-on with a carrier or operate under your own authority.
Step 3: Pick a truck from our inventory to lease.
Once approved to lease a semi-truck, you can pick out the best truck for you and your business. Our inventory includes high-quality new and gently used semi-trucks for both Van and Tanker owner-operators. Our semi-trucks are from brands like Freightliner, International and Volvo.
Your AA will also discuss truck warranty protection at this time.
Step 4: Set up a closing date to pick up your truck.
Once you’ve selected your truck, your AA will work with you to set up a closing date at one of our three locations. Before your closing date, your AA will work with you to determine any additional requirements, including any outstanding paperwork.
During your closing, you can expect to:
Walk through your truck.
Sign paperwork.
Have any additional questions you have answered.
Leasing FAQs
SFI does do a credit check during the application process, but we are not a credit-based leasing company. When reviewing applications, we look at many considerations – your ability to lease a truck from SFI is not based solely on your credit score.
SFI leases trucks. However, at the end of a lease, clients have the option to pay the remaining balance on their truck and become the owner of it. Our TRAC lease also allows clients the option to pay off their truck in full before the lease ends (fees may apply). Other options at the end of a lease include financing the truck to extend the lease and turning the truck in to upgrade to a new one.
Leases range anywhere from one to three years in length, depending on what type of truck is leased.
Weekly payments vary depending on what truck a client leases.
SFI clients can choose whichever carrier they want to lease-on with, including Schneider. Clients also have the option to operate under their own authority.
Find the right truck for your business
Take the next step by viewing our inventory of new and gently used trucks and seeing what would fit best with your business.