How to get cargo van and Sprinter van contracts
Updated Nov 2026, with counts from our verified listings.
Short answer
Cargo van contracts come from local courier companies, final-mile parcel carriers, delivery apps and expedite carriers. Most cargo vans are under 10,001 lbs GVWR, and many companies don't require your own USDOT or MC authority for a van, though you'd need MC authority to haul for hire across state lines on your own, and some companies ask for commercial insurance or a recent model year. High-roof Sprinter-style vans also open up expedited freight. You apply to each company directly.
Cargo van companies by city
Local companies we've verified contract independent drivers, from each company's own site.
Who contracts van drivers
- Local courier companies: parts runs, documents, lab and pharmacy routes.
- Final-mile parcel carriers that run daily delivery routes.
- Delivery apps that post on-demand jobs.
- Expedite carriers, which often want a high-roof Sprinter-style van and lease drivers on under their authority.
- Examples from the nationwide list: delivery apps Curri, Roadie and Dispatch take cargo vans for on-demand local work, as do Frayt and GoShare, each with a stated minimum model year. For expedited freight in a high-roof van, Bolt Express, Load One and V3 Transportation contract Sprinter-style vans.
What you need
Most cargo vans are rated under 10,001 lbs GVWR, the federal line for needing a USDOT number on interstate commercial work, and many companies don't require your own authority for a van when you work under them. MC authority depends on the work rather than the weight: hauling for hire across state lines on your own needs it in any vehicle. Some heavier high-roof vans are rated 10,001 lbs or more. Check the sticker in the driver's door jamb.
Insurance varies: some companies accept personal auto insurance with a delivery endorsement, others require commercial auto liability and sometimes cargo coverage. Many set a minimum model year or maximum vehicle age.
Step by step
- Note your van's GVWR, model year and cargo dimensions; companies filter on these.
- Check your insurance, and ask your insurer about a delivery endorsement or commercial policy.
- Find companies in your metro that take cargo or Sprinter vans (below) and apply on each company's own site.
- Before you sign, ask whether work is a set route or on-demand, and who covers fuel and tolls.
Nationwide companies that contract cargo van drivers
Free to browse: each page shows the company's stated requirements and the source.
Find companies near you
Enter your ZIP to see companies in your metro. If we don't cover your area yet, we can collect it for you on request.
Questions
Do I need my own DOT or MC number for a cargo van?
Often not when you work under a courier company. Most cargo vans are under 10,001 lbs GVWR, below the USDOT threshold, and many local courier companies don't require your own authority for vans. MC authority depends on the work, though: hauling for hire across state lines on your own needs it in any vehicle. Some states have their own rules.
What's the difference between cargo van and Sprinter contracts?
A high-roof Sprinter-style van carries more, which opens up expedited freight as well as local courier routes. Expedite carriers often set rules for van age and cargo dimensions.
How old can my van be?
It depends on the company. Some set a minimum model year or a maximum age, such as 10 years; listings on this site show it when the company states one.