Questions carriers ask

Across the US market, dispatch services typically charge between 5% and 10% of gross linehaul revenue, with 6% to 8% being the most common range, or a flat weekly fee that usually runs $250 to $650 per truck. Rates vary by equipment type: dry van sits at the lower end because the coordination is simpler, while flatbed and specialised equipment sit at the top. We charge 6% to 8% depending on equipment, or $300 to $400 per week flat.

It depends on how the dispatch service operates. FMCSA's June 2023 final guidance distinguishes a broker, who arranges freight and must hold operating authority and a $75,000 surety bond, from a bona fide agent, who works under a written agreement as part of a motor carrier's own operation. The analysis turns on how much control the carrier retains. A dispatch service that solicits shipments on the open market, finds a shipment before it has a carrier in mind, or handles money between shipper and carrier is likely acting as a broker. We operate as your agent, under a written agreement, with you retaining final say on every load and all funds paid directly to you.

Forced dispatch is when a dispatcher books a load without your approval and expects you to run it. You hold the operating authority and carry the liability for the load, so the decision on whether to accept a load should be yours. We do not use forced dispatch, and it is written out of our agreement. If a dispatch service won't put that in writing, that tells you something.

Yes. A dispatch service works on behalf of a motor carrier, so you need active operating authority, a DOT number and the correct insurance filings. If you're leased onto someone else's authority, their dispatch arrangement governs and a third-party dispatcher usually isn't appropriate. If you don't have authority yet, we file it for you — authority setup is $649 plus government fees at cost.

Percentage works better when your weekly gross is variable or lower, because you pay nothing in a week you don't run and the dispatcher's incentive is tied to your rate per mile. Flat rate works better once you're grossing consistently — on our 6% dry van rate, flat becomes cheaper above about $5,000 of weekly linehaul. Ask any dispatcher to show you the break-even for your actual numbers.

Look for a written dispatch agreement, published rates, no forced dispatch, no setup fee, no long-term contract, and broker payments going directly to you or your factor rather than through the dispatcher's account. Ask for the rate confirmation on every load — you should always see what the broker actually agreed to pay. A dispatcher who won't show you rate confirmations may be marking up your freight.

A good one should, because negotiating and lane planning is all they do all day, while you're also driving eleven hours. But it isn't automatic, and nobody can promise a specific number. The honest test is your net revenue per mile after the fee, compared to what you were doing before. Run that comparison after four weeks with any dispatcher, including us.

Yes, and you shouldn't be charged for them. Direct shipper relationships and repeat customers you found yourself are yours. Our fee applies only to loads we book. Watch for dispatch agreements that charge a percentage on every load that runs through your truck — negotiate that out.

Usually 24 to 48 hours from the intake call to your first booked load, assuming your authority is active and your paperwork is in order. Broker setup continues in the background for the first couple of weeks as we add carriers to your approved list.

Tell us on a Friday, you're free Monday. There's no contract term, no cancellation fee and no notice period. We'll send you everything on file — your broker setups, your document pack and your load history — so nothing is held hostage.