Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

            REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
December 31, 2004, among Universal Truckload Services, Inc., a Michigan
corporation (the "Company"), Matthew T. Moroun ("M.T. Moroun"), and The
Manuel J. Moroun Trust (the "Trust").

                                    RECITALS

            For good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby
acknowledged, the Company desires to provide to each Holder the rights to
register the Registrable Securities held by them under the Securities Act on the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

            Section 1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
capitalized terms shall have the following respective meanings:

            "Action": Any action, suit, arbitration, inquiry, proceeding or
investigation by or before any governmental entity.

            "Common Stock": The Company's common stock, no par value per share.

            "Exchange Act": The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

            "Holder": Any holder of Registrable Securities (including any direct
or indirect transferee of M.T. Moroun or the Trust) who agrees in writing to be
bound by the provisions of this Agreement.

            "Morouns": M.T. Moroun and the Trust, collectively.

            "Person": Any individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation,
limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, enterprise or
government or any department or agency thereof.

            "Registrable Securities": Any shares of Common Stock. Any particular
Registrable Securities that are issued shall cease to be Registrable Securities
when (i) a registration statement with respect to the sale by the Holder of such
securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such
securities shall have been disposed of in accordance with such registration
statement, (ii) such securities shall have been distributed to the public
pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor provision) under the Securities Act or
(iii) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding.

<PAGE>

                                                                               2

            "Registration Expenses": Any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance with this Agreement, including, without limitation,
(i) all SEC and stock exchange or National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. (the "NASD") registration and filing fees (including, if applicable, the
fees and expenses of any "qualified independent underwriter," as such term is
defined in Schedule E to the By-laws of the NASD, and of its counsel), (ii) all
fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws (including fees
and disbursements of counsel for the underwriters in connection with blue sky
qualifications of the Registrable Securities), (iii) all printing, messenger and
delivery expenses, (iv) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the
listing of the Registrable Securities on any securities exchange pursuant to
clause (viii) of Section 3.1 and all rating agency fees, (v) the fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its independent public
accountants, including the expenses of any special audits and/or "cold comfort"
letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance, (vi) the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel selected pursuant to Section 6.1
hereof by the Holders of the Registrable Securities being registered to
represent such Holders in connection with each such registration, (vii) any fees
and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by the issuers or sellers of
securities, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer
taxes, if any, (viii) fees and expenses incurred by the Company or the Holders
participating in such registration in connection with any "road show" including
travel and accommodations, and (ix) other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of
Holders (provided that such expenses shall not include expenses of counsel other
than those provided for in clause (vi) above).

            "Securities Act": The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

            "SEC": The Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal
agency at the time administering the Securities Act or the Exchange Act and
other federal securities laws.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               REGISTRATION RIGHTS

            Section 2.1 Piggyback Rights. (a) Right to Include Registrable
Securities. If the Company at any time after the date hereof proposes to
register its Common Stock (or any security which is convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for Common Stock) under the Securities Act (other
than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor or other forms
promulgated for similar purposes), whether or not for sale for its own account,
it will, at each such time, give prompt written notice to all Holders of
Registrable Securities of its intention to do so and of such Holders' rights
under this Article II. Upon the written request of any such Holder made within
20 days after the receipt of any such notice (which request shall specify the
Registrable Securities intended to be disposed of by such Holder), the Company
will, as expeditiously as practicable, use its reasonable best efforts to effect
the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities which
the Company has been so requested to register by the Holders thereof, to the
extent requisite to permit the disposition of the Registrable Securities so to
be registered; provided that (i) if, at any time after giving written notice of
its intention to register any securities and prior to the effective date of the
registration statement filed in connection with such registration, the Company
shall determine for any reason not to

<PAGE>

                                                                               3

proceed with the proposed registration of the securities to be sold by it, the
Company may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to each
Holder of Registrable Securities and, thereupon, shall be relieved of its
obligation to register any Registrable Securities in connection with such
registration (but not from its obligation to pay the Registration Expenses in
connection therewith), and (ii) if such registration involves an underwritten
offering, all Holders of Registrable Securities requesting to be included in the
Company's registration must sell their Registrable Securities to the
underwriters selected by the Company on the same terms and conditions as apply
to the Company, with such differences, including any with respect to
indemnification and liability insurance, as may be customary or appropriate in
combined primary and secondary offerings. If a registration requested pursuant
to this Section 2.1(a) involves an underwritten public offering, any Holder of
Registrable Securities requesting to be included in such registration may elect,
in writing prior to the effective date of the registration statement filed in
connection with such registration, not to register such securities in connection
with such registration.

            (b) Expenses. The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in
connection with each registration of Registrable Securities requested pursuant
to this Section 2.1.

            Section 2.2 Priority in Piggyback Registrations. If a registration
pursuant to this Section 2.1 involves an underwritten offering and the managing
underwriter advises the Company in writing that, in its opinion, the number of
securities requested to be included in such registration exceeds the number
which can be sold in such offering, so as to be likely to have a materially
adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the securities offered in
such offering as contemplated by the Company (other than the Registrable
Securities), then the Company will include in such registration (i) first, 100%
of the securities the Company proposes to sell, (ii) second, to the extent that
the number of Registrable Securities requested to be included in such
registration pursuant to this Section 2.1 can, in the opinion of such managing
underwriter, be sold without having the materially adverse effect referred to
above, the number of Registrable Securities which the Holders have requested to
be included in such registration, such amount to be allocated pro rata among all
requesting Holders on the basis of the relative number of shares of Registrable
Securities then held by each such Holder (provided that any shares thereby
allocated to any such Holder that exceed such Holder's request will be
reallocated among the remaining requesting Holders in like manner) and (iii)
third, to the extent that the number of Registrable Securities requested to be
included in such registration can, in the opinion of such managing underwriter,
be sold without having the materially adverse effect referred to above, the
number of Registrable Securities held by any other Person which have the right
to be included in such registration.

            Section 2.3 Additional Rights. If the Company at any time grants to
any other holders of Common Stock any rights to request the Company to effect
the registration under the Securities Act of any such shares of Common Stock on
terms more favorable to such holders than the terms set forth in Section 2.1,
the terms of Section 2.1 shall be deemed amended or supplemented to the extent
necessary to provide the Holders such more favorable rights and benefits.

<PAGE>

                                                                               4

                                   ARTICLE III

                             REGISTRATION PROCEDURES

            Section 3.1 Registration Procedures. If and whenever the Company is
required to use its reasonable best efforts to effect or cause the registration
of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act as provided in this
Agreement, the Company will, as expeditiously as possible:

                  (i) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
      with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its reasonable best
      efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective,
      provided, however, that the Company may discontinue any registration of
      its securities which is being effected pursuant to Section 2.1 at any time
      prior to the effective date of the registration statement relating
      thereto;

                  (ii) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
      supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in
      connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration
      statement effective for a period not in excess of 270 days and to comply
      with the provisions of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and the rules
      and regulations of the SEC thereunder with respect to the disposition of
      all securities covered by such registration statement during such period
      in accordance with the intended methods of disposition by the seller or
      sellers thereof set forth in such registration statement; provided that
      before filing a registration statement or prospectus, or any amendments or
      supplements thereto, the Company will use its reasonable best efforts to
      furnish to counsel selected pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof by the Holders
      of the Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement to
      represent such Holders;

                  (iii) furnish to each seller of such Registrable Securities
      such number of copies of such registration statement and of each amendment
      and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits filed
      therewith, including any documents incorporated by reference), such number
      of copies of the prospectus included in such registration statement
      (including each preliminary prospectus and summary prospectus), in
      conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other
      documents as such seller may reasonably request in order to facilitate the
      disposition of the Registrable Securities by such seller;

                  (iv) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify
      such Registrable Securities covered by such registration in such
      jurisdictions as each seller shall reasonably request, and do any and all
      other acts and things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to
      enable such seller to consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of
      the Registrable Securities owned by such seller, except that the Company
      shall not for any such purpose be required to qualify generally to do
      business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where, but for the
      requirements of this clause (iv), it would not be obligated to be so
      qualified, to subject itself to taxation in any such jurisdiction or to
      consent to general service of process in any such jurisdiction;

                  (v) use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Registrable
      Securities covered by such registration statement to be registered with or
      approved by such other

<PAGE>

                                                                               5

      governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary to enable the
      seller or sellers thereof to consummate the disposition of such
      Registrable Securities;

                  (vi) notify each seller of any such Registrable Securities
      covered by such registration statement, at any time when a prospectus
      relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act
      within the appropriate period mentioned in clause (ii) of this Section
      3.1, of the Company's becoming aware that the prospectus included in such
      registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of
      a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated
      therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the
      light of the circumstances then existing, and at the request of any such
      seller, prepare and furnish to such seller a reasonable number of copies
      of an amended or supplemental prospectus as may be necessary so that, as
      thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities,
      such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact
      or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
      necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of
      the circumstances then existing;

                  (vii) use its reasonable best efforts to comply with all
      applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, and make available to its
      security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective
      date of the registration statement, an earnings statement which shall
      satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and the
      rules and regulations promulgated thereunder;

                  (viii) (A) use its reasonable best efforts to list such
      Registrable Securities on any securities market or exchange on which the
      Common Stock is then listed if such Registrable Securities are not already
      so listed and if such listing is then permitted under the rules of such
      exchange; and (B) use its reasonable best efforts to provide a transfer
      agent and registrar for such Registrable Securities covered by such
      registration statement not later than the effective date of such
      registration statement;

                  (ix) enter into such customary agreements (including an
      underwriting agreement in customary form), which may include
      indemnification provisions in favor of underwriters and other persons in
      addition to, or in substitution for the provisions of Article IV hereof,
      and take such other actions as sellers of a majority of shares of such
      Registrable Securities or the underwriters, if any, reasonably request in
      order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
      Securities;

                  (x) obtain a "cold comfort" letter or letters from the
      Company's independent public accounts in customary form and covering
      matters of the type customarily covered by "cold comfort" letters as the
      seller or sellers of a majority of shares of such Registrable Securities
      shall reasonably request (provided that Registrable Securities constitute
      at least 25% of the securities covered by such registration statement);

                  (xi) make available for inspection by any seller of such
      Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement, by any
      underwriter participating in any disposition to be effected pursuant to
      such registration statement and by any attorney,

<PAGE>

                                                                               6

      accountant or other agent retained by any such seller or any such
      underwriter, all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent
      corporate documents and properties of the Company, and cause all of the
      Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information
      reasonably requested by any such seller, underwriter, attorney, accountant
      or agent in connection with such registration statement;

                  (xii) notify counsel (selected pursuant to Section 6.1 hereof)
      for the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such registration
      statement and the managing underwriter or agent, immediately, and confirm
      the notice in writing (A) when the registration statement, or any
      post-effective amendment to the registration statement, shall have become
      effective, or any supplement to the prospectus or any amendment prospectus
      shall have been filed, (B) of the receipt of any comments from the SEC,
      (C) of any request of the SEC to amend the registration statement or amend
      or supplement the prospectus or for additional information and (D) of the
      issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
      registration statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of
      any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of
      the registration statement for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of
      the institution or threatening of any proceedings for any of such
      purposes;

                  (xiii) make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of
      any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the registration statement
      or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary
      prospectus and, if any such order is issued, to obtain the withdrawal of
      any such order at the earliest possible moment;

                  (xiv) if requested by the managing underwriter or agent or any
      Holder of Registrable Securities covered by the registration statement,
      promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective
      amendment such information as the managing underwriter or agent or such
      Holder reasonably requests to be included therein, including, without
      limitation, with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being
      sold by such Holder to such underwriter or agent, the purchase price being
      paid therefor by such underwriter or agent and with respect to any other
      terms of the underwritten offering of the Registrable Securities to be
      sold in such offering; and make all required filings of such prospectus
      supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as practicable after being
      notified of the matters incorporated in such prospectus supplement or
      post-effective amendment;

                  (xv) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable Securities
      covered by the registration statement and the managing underwriter or
      agent, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
      certificates (not bearing any restrictive legends) representing securities
      to be sold under the registration statement, and enable such securities to
      be in such denominations and registered in such names as the managing
      underwriter or agent, if any, or such Holders may request;

                  (xvi) obtain for delivery to the Holders of Registrable
      Securities being registered and to the underwriter or agent an opinion or
      opinions from counsel for the Company in customary form and in form,
      substance and scope reasonably satisfactory to such Holders, underwriters
      or agents and their counsel; and

<PAGE>

                                                                               7

                  (xvii) cooperate with each seller of Registrable Securities
      and each underwriter or agent participating in the disposition of such
      Registrable Securities and their respective counsel in connection with any
      filings required to be made with the NASD.

            Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees as a condition to the
registration of such Holder's Registrable Securities as provided herein to
furnish the Company with such information regarding such seller and pertinent to
the disclosure requirements relating to the registration and the distribution of
such securities as the Company may from time to time reasonably request in
writing.

            Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of
any notice from the Company of the happening of any event of the kind described
in clause (vi) of this Section 3.1, such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement
covering such Registrable Securities until such Holder's receipt of the copies
of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by clause (vi) of this
Section 3.1, and, if so directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the
Company (at the Company's expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies
then in such Holder's possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. In the event the
Company shall give any such notice, the period mentioned in clause (ii) of this
Section 3.1 shall be extended by the number of days during the period from and
including the date of the giving of such notice pursuant to clause (vi) of this
Section 3.1 and including the date when each seller of Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement shall have received the copies of the
supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by clause (vi) of this Section
3.1.

            Section 3.2 Restrictions on Disposition. Each Holder agrees that, in
connection with an offering of the Company's securities or of the underwriters
managing any underwritten offering of the Company's securities, it will not
effect any sale, disposition or distribution of Registrable Securities (other
than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of
the managing underwriter for such period of time (not to exceed 180 days) from
the effective date of such registration as the Company or the underwriters may
specify.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

            Section 4.1 Indemnification by the Company. In the event of any
registration of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act pursuant
to Section 2.1, the Company will, and it hereby does, indemnify and hold
harmless, to the extent permitted by law, the seller of any Registrable
Securities covered by such registration statement, each affiliate of such seller
and their respective trustees, directors and officers or general and limited
partners (including any director, officer, affiliate, employee, agent and
controlling Person of any of the foregoing), each other Person who participates
as an underwriter in the offering or sale of such securities and each other
Person, if any, who controls such seller or any such underwriter within the
meaning of the Securities Act (collectively, the "Indemnified Parties"), against
any and all Actions (whether or not an Indemnified Party is a party thereto),
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or

<PAGE>

                                                                               8

several, and expenses (including reasonable attorney's fees and reasonable
expenses of investigation) to which such Indemnified Party may become subject
under the Securities Act, common law or otherwise, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (or actions or proceedings in respect
thereof, whether or not such Indemnified Party is a party thereto) arise out of,
relate to or are based upon (a) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in any registration statement under which such
securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary, final or
summary prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or
(b) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of
a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not
misleading, and the Company will reimburse such Indemnified Party for any legal
or any other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with investigating
or defending against any such loss, claim, liability, action or proceeding;
provided that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Party in any
such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage, liability (or action
or proceeding in respect thereof) or expense arises out of or is based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission
made in such registration statement or amendment or supplement thereto or in any
such preliminary, final or summary prospectus in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company through an instrument duly
executed by such seller specifically stating that it is for use in the
preparation thereof; and provided, further, that the Company will not be liable
to any Person who participates as an underwriter in the offering or sale of
Registrable Securities or any other Person, if any, who controls such
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act, under the indemnity
agreement in this Section 4.1(a) with respect to any preliminary prospectus or
the final prospectus or the final prospectus as amended or supplemented, as the
case may be, to the extent that any such Action, loss, claim, damage, liability
or expense of such underwriter or controlling Person results from the fact that
such underwriter sold Registrable Securities to a Person to whom there was not
sent or given, at or prior to the written confirmation of such sale, a copy of
the final prospectus or of the final prospectus as then amended or supplemented,
whichever is most recent, if the Company has previously furnished copies thereof
to such underwriter. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such seller or any
Indemnified Party and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such
seller.

            Section 4.2 Indemnification by the Seller. The Company may require,
as a condition to including any Registrable Securities in any registration
statement filed in accordance with Section 2.1 herein, that the Company shall
have received an undertaking reasonably satisfactory to it from the prospective
seller of such Registrable Securities or any underwriter to indemnify and hold
harmless (in the same manner and to the same extent as set forth in Section 4.1)
the Company and all other prospective sellers with respect to any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from
such registration statement, any preliminary, final or summary prospectus
contained therein, or any amendment or supplement, if such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company through
an instrument duly executed by such seller or underwriter specifically stating
that it is for use in the preparation of such registration statement,
preliminary, final or summary prospectus or amendment or supplement, or a
document incorporated by reference into any of the foregoing. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or

<PAGE>

                                                                               9

on behalf of the Company or any of the prospective sellers, or any of their
respective affiliates, directors, officers or controlling Persons and shall
survive the transfer of such securities by such seller. In no event shall the
liability of any selling Holder of Registrable Securities hereunder be greater
in amount than the dollar amount of the gross proceeds after underwriting
discounts and commissions, but before expenses, received by such Holder upon the
sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification
obligation.

            Section 4.3 Notices of Claims, Etc. Promptly after receipt by an
Indemnified Party hereunder of written notice of the commencement of any Action
with respect to which a claim for indemnification may be made pursuant to this
Article IV, such Indemnified Party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be
made against an indemnifying party, give written notice to the latter of the
commencement of such Action; provided that the failure of the Indemnified Party
to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the indemnifying party of
its obligations under this Article IV, except to the extent that the
indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure to give notice. In
case any such Action is brought against an Indemnified Party, unless in such
Indemnified Party's reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such
Indemnified Party and indemnifying parties may exist in respect of such Action,
the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate in and to assume the
defense thereof (at its expense), jointly with any other indemnifying party
similarly notified to the extent that it may wish, with counsel reasonably
satisfactory to such Indemnified Party, and after notice from the indemnifying
party to such Indemnified Party of its election so to assume the defense
thereof, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such Indemnified Party for
any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the latter in connection
with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No
indemnifying party will consent to entry of any judgment or settle any Action
which (i) does not include, as an unconditional term thereof, the giving by the
claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release from all liability
in respect of such Action and (ii) does not involve the imposition of equitable
remedies or of any obligations on such Indemnified Party and does not otherwise
adversely affect such Indemnified Party, other than as a result of the
imposition of financial obligations for such Indemnified Party will be
indemnified hereunder.

            Section 4.4 Contribution. (a) If the indemnification provided for in
this Article IV from the indemnifying party is unavailable to an Indemnified
Party hereunder in respect of any Action, losses, damages, liabilities or
expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of
indemnifying such Indemnified Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or
payable by such Indemnified Party as a result of such Action, losses, damages,
liabilities or expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative fault of the indemnifying party and such Indemnified Party in
connection with the actions which resulted in such Action losses, damages,
liabilities or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
The relative fault of such indemnifying party and such Indemnified Party shall
be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in
question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has been made by, or
relates to information supplied by, such indemnifying party or Indemnified
Parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and
opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid or payable by a
party under this Section 4.4 as a result of the Action, losses, damages,
liabilities and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal
or other fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with
any investigation or proceeding.

<PAGE>

                                                                              10

            (b) The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.4 were determined by pro rata
allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of
the equitable considerations referred to in Section 4.4(a) hereof. No Person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

            Section 4.5 Other Indemnification. Indemnification similar to that
specified in the preceding provisions of this Article IV (with appropriate
modifications) shall be given by the Company and each seller of Registrable
Securities with respect to any required registration or other qualification of
securities under any federal or state law or regulation or governmental
authority other than the Securities Act.

            Section 4.6 Non-Exclusivity. The obligations of the parties under
this Article IV shall be in addition to any liability which any party may
otherwise have to any other party.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                    RULE 144

            Section 5.1 Rule 144. If the Company shall have filed a registration
statement pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Exchange Act or a
registration statement pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the
Company covenants that it will file the reports required to be filed by it under
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act (or, if the Company is not required to
file such reports, it will, upon the request of the Morouns, make publicly
available such information), and it will take such further action as any Holder
of Registrable Securities (or, if the Company is not required to file reports as
provided above, the Morouns) may reasonably request, all to the extent required
from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Registrable Securities
without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the
exemptions provided by (i) Rule 144 under the Securities Act, as such Rule may
be amended from time to time, or (ii) any similar rule or regulation hereafter
adopted by the SEC. Upon the request of any Holder of Registrable Securities,
the Company will deliver to such Holder a written statement as to whether it has
complied with such requirements. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Article V, the Company may deregister under Section 12 of the Exchange Act if it
then is permitted to do so pursuant to the Exchange Act.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              SELECTION OF COUNSEL

            Section 6.1 Selection of Counsel. In connection with any
registration of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, the
Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities covered by any such
registration may select one counsel to represent all Holders of Registrable
Securities covered by such registration; provided, however, that in the event
that the counsel selected as provided above is also acting as counsel to the
Company in connection with

<PAGE>

                                                                              11

such registration, the remaining Holders shall be entitled to select one
additional counsel to represent all such remaining Holders.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            Section 7.1 Amendments and Waivers. This Agreement may not be
amended except by an instrument in writing signed on behalf of the Company and
each of the Morouns. Each holder of any Registrable Securities at the time or
thereafter outstanding shall be bound by any amendment authorized by this
Section, whether or not such Registrable Securities shall have been marked to
indicate such amendment.

            Section 7.2 Successors, Assigns and Transferees. This Agreement
shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and
their respective successors and assigns.

            Section 7.3 Notices. All notices and other communications provided
for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by first class mail, fax or
hand delivery:

                  (i)   if to the Company, to:

                        Universal Truckload Services, Inc.
                        11355 Stephens Road
                        Warren, MI 48089
                        Attention: Chief Financial Officer
                        Fax:  (586) 920-0255

                        with copies to:

                        Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
                        3330 Hillview Avenue
                        Palo Alto, CA 94303
                        Attention:  William B. Brentani
                        Fax:  (650) 251-5002

                  (ii)  if to the Morouns, to:

                        CenTra, Inc.
                        12225 Stephens Road
                        Warren, MI 48089
                        Attention: Frederick P. Calderone
                        Fax: (586) 755-2066

            All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been
given or made (A) when delivered by hand, (B) five business days after being
deposited in the mail, postage prepaid or (C) when faxed, receipt acknowledged.

<PAGE>

                                                                              12

            Section 7.4 Descriptive Headings. The headings in this Agreement are
for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning of terms contained herein.

            Section 7.5 Severability. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions, paragraphs, words, clauses, phrases or sentences contained herein,
or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity, legality and
enforceability of any such provision, paragraph, word, clause, phrase or
sentence in every other respect and of the remaining provisions, paragraphs,
words, clauses, phrases or sentences hereof shall not be in any way impaired, it
being intended that all rights, powers and privileges of the parties hereto
shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

            Section 7.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
counterparts, and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute
one and the same instrument.

            Section 7.7 Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the
laws of the State of Michigan. The parties to this Agreement hereby agree to
submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Michigan, the federal
courts sitting in Michigan. Each of the parties to this Agreement hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to be subject to, and hereby consents and
submits to, the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Michigan and of the
federal courts sitting in Michigan.

            Section 7.8 Specific Performance. The parties hereto acknowledge and
agree that irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their
specific terms or were otherwise breached. Accordingly, it is agreed that they
shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the
provisions of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and
provisions hereof, in addition to any other remedy to which they may be entitled
at law or in equity.

                            [Continued on next page.]

<PAGE>

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this
Agreement or caused this Agreement to be duly executed on its behalf as of the
date first written above.

                                         UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

                                         By:   /s/ Robert Sigler
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Name: Robert Sigler
                                             Title CFO

                                               /s/ Matthew T. Moroun
                                         --------------------------------------
                                                Matthew T. Moroun

                                         The Manuel J. Moroun Trust

                                         By:   /s/ Manuel J. Moroun
                                             ----------------------------------
                                             Name:
                                             Title<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                       DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

                       UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

      THIS DIRECTOR INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") made and entered
into this      day of      2004, by and between Universal Truckload Services,
Inc., a Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and       (the "Indemnitee").

      WHEREAS, it is essential that the Company be able to retain and attract as
directors the most capable persons available;

      WHEREAS, the Company's Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws permit it to
enter into indemnification arrangements and agreements;

      WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide the Indemnitee with specific
contractual assurances of the Indemnitee's rights to full indemnification
against litigation risks and expenses (regardless, among other things, of any
amendment to or revocation of the Company's Bylaws or any change in the
ownership of the Company or the composition of its Board of Directors) and, to
the extent insurance is available, the coverage of the Indemnitee under the
Company's directors and officers liability insurance policies; and

      WHEREAS, the Indemnitee is relying upon the rights afforded under this
Agreement in accepting Indemnitee's position as a director of the Company.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants
contained herein, the Company and Indemnitee hereby covenant and agree as
follows:

      1.    Definitions.

            (a) "Corporate Status" describes the status of a person who is
serving or has served (i) as a director, officer or employee of the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, (ii) in any capacity with respect to any employee
benefit plan of the Company, or (iii) as a director, officer, employee or agent
of any other Entity at the request of the Company.

            (b) "Entity" shall mean the (i) Company, its divisions and
subsidiaries; (ii) any constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or
merger and the resulting or surviving corporation, if so determined by a
resolution of the Company's board of directors; and (iii) any other foreign or
domestic corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, whether for profit or not.

            (c) "Expenses" shall mean all reasonable fees, costs and expenses
actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any Proceeding (as defined
below), including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, disbursements and
retainers (including, without limitation, any such fees, disbursements and
retainers incurred by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement), fees
and disbursements of expert witnesses, private investigators and professional
advisors (including, without limitation, accountants), court costs, transcript
costs, fees of experts,

                                       1
<PAGE>

travel expenses, duplicating, printing and binding costs, telephone and fax
transmission charges, postage, delivery services, secretarial services, and
other disbursements and expenses.

            (d) "Indemnifiable Expenses," "Indemnifiable Liabilities" and
"Indemnifiable Amounts" shall have the meanings ascribed to those terms in
Section 3(a) below.

            (e) "Liabilities" shall mean judgments, damages, liabilities,
losses, penalties, fines, excise taxes assessed on Indemnitee with respect to an
employee benefit plan and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with a Proceeding.

            (f) "Proceeding" shall mean any threatened, pending or completed
claim, action, suit, arbitration, alternate dispute resolution process,
investigation, administrative hearing, appeal, or any other proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, whether formal or informal,
including a proceeding initiated by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 10 of this
Agreement to enforce Indemnitee's rights hereunder.

      2.    Services of Indemnitee. In consideration of the Company's covenants
and commitments hereunder, Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director of the
Company; provided that this Agreement shall not impose any obligation on
Indemnitee or the Company to continue Indemnitee's service to the Company beyond
any period otherwise required by law or by other agreements or commitments of
the parties, if any.

      3.    Agreement to Indemnify.

      The Company agrees to indemnify Indemnitee as follows:

            (a) Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 4(a) below, if
Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
Proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of
Indemnitee's Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by the Company
against all Expenses and Liabilities incurred or paid by Indemnitee in
connection with such Proceeding (referred to herein as "Indemnifiable Expenses"
and "Indemnifiable Liabilities," respectively, and collectively as
"Indemnifiable Amounts").

            (b) Subject to the exceptions contained in Section 4(b) below, if
Indemnitee was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor
by reason of Indemnitee's Corporate Status, Indemnitee shall be indemnified by
the Company against all Indemnifiable Expenses.

      4.    Exceptions to Indemnification. Indemnitee shall be entitled to
indemnification under Sections 3(a) and 3(b) above in all circumstances other
than the following:

            (a) If indemnification is requested under Section 3(a) and it has
been adjudicated finally by a court of competent jurisdiction that, in
connection with the subject of the Proceeding out of which the claim for
indemnification has arisen, Indemnitee failed to act in good faith and in a
manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding,
Indemnitee had

                                       2
<PAGE>

reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee's conduct was unlawful, Indemnitee
shall not be entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder.

            (b) If indemnification is requested under Section 3(b) and

                  (i) it has been adjudicated finally by a court of competent
jurisdiction that, in connection with the subject of the Proceeding out of which
the claim for indemnification has arisen, Indemnitee failed to act in good faith
and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Company, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of
Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder; or

                  (ii) it has been adjudicated finally by a court of competent
jurisdiction that Indemnitee is liable to the Company with respect to any claim,
issue or matter involved in the Proceeding out of which the claim for
indemnification has arisen, including, without limitation, a claim that
Indemnitee received an improper personal benefit or improperly took advantage of
a corporate opportunity, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment of
Indemnifiable Expenses hereunder with respect to such claim, issue or matter
unless the court in which such Proceeding was brought shall determine upon
application that, despite the adjudication of liability, but in view of all the
circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to
indemnity for such Indemnifiable Expenses which such court shall deem proper.

      5.    Procedure for Payment of Indemnifiable Amounts. Indemnitee shall
submit to the Company a written request specifying the Indemnifiable Amounts for
which Indemnitee seeks payment under Section 3 of this Agreement and the basis
for the claim. Subject to Section 4, the Company shall pay such Indemnifiable
Amounts to Indemnitee within twenty (20) calendar days of receipt of the
request. At the request of the Company, Indemnitee shall furnish such
documentation and information as are reasonably available to Indemnitee and
necessary to establish that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification hereunder.

      6.    Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly
Successful. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, and without
limiting any such provision, to the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of
Indemnitee's Corporate Status, a party to and is successful, on the merits or
otherwise, in any Proceeding, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all
Expenses reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee's behalf in
connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such Proceeding
but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than
all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify
Indemnitee against all Expenses reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on
Indemnitee's behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue
or matter. For purposes of this Agreement, the termination of any claim, issue
or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be
deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

      7.    Effect of Certain Resolutions. Neither the settlement nor
termination of any Proceeding nor the failure of the Company to award
indemnification or to determine that indemnification is payable shall create an
adverse presumption that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification
hereunder. In addition, the termination of any proceeding by judgment, order,

                                       3
<PAGE>

settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent
shall not create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in
a manner which Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that Indemnitee's action was
unlawful.

      8.    Agreement to Advance Interim Expenses. The Company shall pay to
Indemnitee all Indemnifiable Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with
any Proceeding, including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company, in
advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding, if Indemnitee furnishes the
Company with a written undertaking to repay the amount of such Indemnifiable
Expenses advanced to Indemnitee if it is finally determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction that Indemnitee is not entitled under this Agreement to
indemnification with respect to such Indemnifiable Expenses. The undertaking
shall be by unlimited general obligation of the Indemnitee, but need not be
secured.

      9.    Procedure for Payment of Interim Expenses. Indemnitee shall submit
to the Company a written request specifying the Indemnifiable Expenses for which
Indemnitee seeks an advancement under Section 8 of this Agreement, together with
documentation evidencing that Indemnitee has incurred such Indemnifiable
Expenses. Payment of Indemnifiable Expenses under Section 8 shall be made no
later than twenty (20) calendar days after the Company's receipt of such request
and the undertaking required by Section 8.

      10.   Remedies of Indemnitee.

            (a) Right to Petition Court. In the event that Indemnitee makes a
request for payment of Indemnifiable Amounts under Sections 3 and 5 above or a
request for an advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under Sections 8 and 9
above and the Company fails to make such payment or advancement in a timely
manner pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, Indemnitee may petition the
appropriate judicial authority to enforce the Company's obligations under this
Agreement.

            (b) Burden of Proof. In any judicial proceeding brought under
Section 10(a) above, the Company shall have the burden of proving that
Indemnitee is not entitled to payment of Indemnifiable Amounts hereunder.

            (c) Expenses. The Company agrees to reimburse Indemnitee in full for
any Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with investigating, preparing
for, litigating, defending or settling any action brought by Indemnitee under
Section 10(a) above, or in connection with any claim or counterclaim brought by
the Company in connection therewith.

            (d) Validity of Agreement. The Company shall be precluded from
asserting in any Proceeding, including, without limitation, an action under
Section 10(a) above, that the provisions of this Agreement are not valid,
binding and enforceable or that there is insufficient consideration for this
Agreement and shall stipulate in court that the Company is bound by all the
provisions of this Agreement.

            (e) Failure to Act Not a Defense. The failure of the Company
(including its Board of Directors or any committee thereof, independent legal
counsel, or stockholders) to

                                       4
<PAGE>

make a determination concerning the permissibility of the payment of
Indemnifiable Amounts or the advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses under this
Agreement shall not be a defense in any action brought under Section 10(a)
above, and shall not create a presumption that such payment or advancement is
not permissible.

      11.   Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby
represents and warrants to Indemnitee as follows:

            (a) Authority . The Company has all necessary corporate power and
authority to enter into, and be bound by the terms of, this Agreement, and the
execution, delivery and performance of the undertakings contemplated by this
Agreement have been duly authorized by the Company.

            (b) Enforceability. This Agreement, when executed and delivered by
the Company in accordance with the provisions hereof, shall be a legal, valid
and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or similar laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or general equitable
principles, and to the extent limited by applicable federal or state securities
laws.

      12.   Insurance. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to
obtain and maintain a policy or policies of insurance, on commercially
reasonable terms, with reputable insurance companies providing the members of
the Board of Directors with coverage for losses from wrongful acts, and to
ensure the Company's performance of its indemnification obligations under this
Agreement. In all policies of director and officer liability insurance,
Indemnitee shall be named as an insured in such a manner as to provide
Indemnitee at least the same rights and benefits as are accorded to the most
favorably insured of the Company's officers and directors. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if the Company, after employing commercially reasonable efforts as
provided in this Section, determines in good faith that such insurance is not
reasonably available, if the premium costs for such insurance are
disproportionate to the amount of coverage provided, or if the coverage provided
by such insurance is limited by exclusions so as to provide an insufficient
benefit, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain and
maintain a policy or policies of insurance with coverage having features as
similar as practicable to those described above.

      13.   Fees and Expense. During the term of the Indemnitee's service as a
director, the Company shall promptly reimburse the Indemnitee for all expenses
incurred by Indemnitee in connection with service as a director or member of any
board committee or otherwise in connection with the Company's business.

      14.   Contract Rights Not Exclusive. The rights to payment of
Indemnifiable Amounts and advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses provided by this
Agreement shall be in addition to, but not exclusive of, any other rights which
Indemnitee may have at any time under applicable law, the Company's Bylaws, the
Company's Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, or any other
agreement, vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both as to action in
Indemnitee's official capacity and as to action in any other capacity as a
result of Indemnitees's serving as a director of the Company.

                                       5
<PAGE>

      15.   Successors. This Agreement shall be (a) binding upon all successors
and assigns of the Company (including any transferee of all or a substantial
portion of the business, stock and/or assets of the Company and any direct or
indirect successor by merger or consolidation or otherwise by operation of law)
and (b) binding on and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, personal
representatives, executors and administrators of Indemnitee. This Agreement
shall continue for the benefit of Indemnitee and such heirs, personal
representatives, executors and administrators after Indemnitee has ceased to
have Corporate Status.

      16.   Subrogation. In the event of any payment of Indemnifiable Amounts
under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such
payment to all of the rights of contribution or recovery of Indemnitee against
other persons, and Indemnitee shall take, at the request of the Company, all
reasonable action necessary to secure such rights, including the execution of
such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce
such rights.

      17.   Change in Law. To the extent that a change in applicable law
(whether by statute or judicial decision) shall permit broader indemnification
than is provided under the terms of the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company, and this Agreement, Indemnitee shall be
entitled to such broader indemnification and this Agreement shall be deemed to
be amended to such extent.

      18.   Severability. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement, or any clause thereof,
shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid
or unenforceable, in whole or in part, such provision or clause shall be limited
or modified in its application to the minimum extent necessary to make such
provision or clause valid, legal and enforceable, and the remaining provisions
and clauses of this Agreement shall remain fully enforceable and binding on the
parties.

      19.   Indemnitee as Plaintiff. Except as provided in Section 10 of this
Agreement and in the next sentence, Indemnitee shall not be entitled to payment
of Indemnifiable Amounts or advancement of Indemnifiable Expenses with respect
to any Proceeding brought by Indemnitee against the Company, any Entity which it
controls, any director or officer thereof, or any third party, unless the
Company has consented to the initiation of such Proceeding. This Section shall
not apply to affirmative defenses asserted by Indemnitee in an action brought
against Indemnitee.

      20.   Modifications and Waiver. Except as provided in Section 17 above
with respect to changes in applicable law which broaden the right of Indemnitee
to be indemnified by the Company, no supplement, modification or amendment of
this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by each of the
parties hereto. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be
deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provisions of this Agreement
(whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

      21.   General Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other
communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given (a) when delivered by hand, (b) when transmitted by facsimile and
receipt is acknowledged, or (c) if mailed by certified

                                       6
<PAGE>

or registered mail with postage prepaid, on the third business day after the
date on which it is so mailed:

      (i) If to Indemnitee, to:

      (ii) If to the Company, to: Universal Truckload Services, Inc.
                                  11355 Stephens Road
                                  Warren, MI 48089
                                  Attn: Robert E.Sigler, Chief Financial Officer
                                  Fax: 586-920-0255

or to such other address as may have been furnished in the same manner by any
party to the others.

      22.   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
enforced under the laws of The State of Michigan without giving effect to the
provisions thereof relating to conflicts of law.

      23.   Agreement Governs. This Agreement is to be deemed consistent
wherever possible with relevant provisions of the Company's Bylaws and Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation; however, in the event of a conflict
between this Agreement and such provisions, the provisions of this Agreement
shall control.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Director
Indemnification Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                               UNIVERSAL TRUCKLOAD SERVICES, INC.

                               By: _________________________________________
                                    Name: Donald B. Cochran
                                    Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                               DIRECTOR:

                               By: _________________________________________
                               Name:

                                       7

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00076-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00076-of-00352.parquet"}]]