how to become a broker for trucking

How-to-become-a-freight-broker

Currently, there is no better time to be in the freight brokering business than right now in 2021, and there are plenty of profitable reasons to consider why you should become a freight broker today.

With an unstable economy across the U.S., the freight brokerage market has proven to withstand any economic downturns and is in fact expected to reach and grow by $41.5 Billions by the Year 2024 .

If you are looking on how to become a freight broker , you can read our step-by-step guide below, or jump straight to the infographic at the end of the page.

Alternatively, if you are looking at how to become a freight forwarder (which is NOT the same as a Freight Broker) , you can read about it in the guide above.

So What Does a Freight Broker Do?

Before you take the first steps to launch your freight brokerage, it's a good idea to review the role of the broker in the industry, and how they act as the "middle man" in the freight industry.

Freight Brokers 101

Besides earning up to $100,000+ per year , freight brokers are also an indispensable part of the transportation of goods and cargo throughout the US.

Freight Brokers in the US are responsible for:

Overseeing the entire delivery process of goods (from the warehouse to store)
Being the communications links between businesses and carriers
Coordinate rates and contracts between the carriers and businesses for a small fee

Freight brokers are filling in a crucial role in the movement of freight, as the missing link between shippers and carriers.

Besides acting as an intermediary, brokers have an important function in the tracking of freight, as they keep thorough records of pickups and deliveries and other information. They also oversee the legal part of transportation, as they need to be experts in shipping regulations and procedures.

Becoming a freight broker for trucking and transportation means being able to fully take responsibility for the entire part of the shipping process which is not a lightweight.

Check out the video below for a quick summary of the steps you need to go through in order to become a freight broker.

Steps on How to Become a Freight Broker

As you now know, there are several steps that you will need to undertake on your way to becoming a freight broker, so let's jump directly into what they are.

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1. Gain Industry Experience and Study

Your communication and people skills, naturally, are of critical importance, as a large part of your work will be done over the phone or email – both negotiating and closing deals.

If you have – or can build up – some experience in the transportation industry in another role, this can be very beneficial for your brokering, as you'll be better connected with the main players in the field.

Sign Up for Freight Broker Training

Besides the general skills you need to refresh or develop, you might want to attend a freight broker school in order to get fully prepared for the actual requirements of the brokering job. Getting the top freight broker training books is also important, so you can always refer to them when you're unsure how to go ahead.

The best option for freight broker agent training is to attend a freight broker school, as that will give you hands-on experience and knowledge from experienced brokers with many years in the field.

We have compiled a list of the Top 5 Freight Broker Schools in order to make the choosing process a little bit easier for you.

2. Choose a Company Name and Register Your Business

In order to legally operate a brokerage, you will also have to choose a company name and register your business , as with most types of license and permit businesses.

You can check whether the name you've chosen is taken at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

freight broker business structure types

Part of registering will also involve selecting the kind of entity you'd like to register as:

Sole Proprietor,
Partnership,
Limited Liability Company , or
Corporation

After you have done that, you will need to register your business in your state at your local business license department in order to finalize this step.

3. Develop a Business Plan

Preparing a solid business plan is a must if you want to start your freight brokerage on the right foot.

With it, you will be able to apply for a line of credit with your bank but even more than that, your business plan is also an exercise in specifying which niche you will be targeting and who your customers are.

Your business plan includes a go-to-strategy and the more you invest in figuring out the specifics and researching the market, the better you will be prepared to meet its challenges.

4. Find the Right Carriers

A freight broker without carriers is like a ship without sails.

Part of your go-to-market strategy for becoming a freight broker should also include finding the carriers who work in the field of operations you've chosen for yourself.

From online directories and direct references by other brokers to networking events, there are a multitude of ways to find the right carriers for yourself, so don't hesitate to try out a number of them and don't just go with what feels easiest!

5. Apply For a USDOT Number and Get Your Broker Authority

Before you start operating in the field, you need to get a freight broker license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

The licensing is also referred to as obtaining your Motor Carrier Operating Authority or (MC Authority).

Your first step in getting licensed is to get a USDOT number, which is required on the application form. Then you can start the registration process on FMCSA's website .

Along with filling in the freight broker application form, OP-1, you have to also pay the one-time application fee of $300 . You can find further instructions for filling in OP-1 . The processing time is between four and six weeks.

Once your application has been approved, the FMCSA will send you your MC number by mail.

The MC number, however, does not mean you can start a business yet. When it's issued, it gets posted on the Register page of the FMCSA. Within 10 days, anybody who finds a problem with your registration can protest against it. After this period, you are granted the MC authority.

6. Get a Freight Broker Bond

As just mentioned in the previous section, to get your MC authority from the FMCSA, you need to obtain a Freight Broker Bond , or a BMC-84 bond . The bond requirement was raised to $75,000 back in 2013 to ensure high industry standards and accountability.

If you've never worked with surety bonds before, it's important to understand what they are: in essence, a three-party contract. Your freight brokerage is the principal , the FMCSA is the obligee , and the surety is the one providing the bond .

The purpose of the freight broker bond is to guarantee that you will follow all applicable rules and regulations in your brokering. In this sense, the bond is an additional line of credit for your business.

On the basis of this evaluation, the surety decides your bond premium, or your actual freight broker bond cost ., which is only a small portion of the full $75K bond amount.

If your credit score is above 700 , you're likely to pay between 1.25% to 3% premium, or between $937 and $2250 .

If your credit score is between 650 and 699 , the percentages are between 3.5% and 5% , or $2,625 and $3,750 .

Even if your credit is far from perfect, you can still get bonded with a bad credit program , though you'll have to pay slightly a higher premium to mitigate the risk involved.

In general, the best tip to reduce the price you have to pay for your freight broker bond is to work on improving your credit score. You can find more smart tips on reducing your costs when renewing your bond yearly in this useful freight broker bond renewal guide .

7. Obtain Contingent Cargo Insurance and General Liability

With your MC number, you can go ahead with getting insurance (Form BMC-34 for loss and damage and in some cases, Form BMC-91 or BMC-91X for bodily injury, property damage, and environmental restoration) and your surety bond, which we detailed in the previous section.

You need these insurances because many, if not most, shipping companies will request that you present these before you begin work together.

8. Designate a Process Agent in Each State

At this stage, once you've obtained your bond and insurance, you're ready to choose your process agents for each state you do business in.

This can be done through Form BOC-3 (Designation of Agents for Service of Process) which you need to fill in and submit to the FMCSA.

9. Get Your Equipment

When it comes to the material assets you need to start a brokerage, there are a few things to consider – even if you don't plan to open a physical office in the beginning.

freight broker equipment

The essential technical gear that you need at first includes a:

Computer,
Printer,
Copy and fax machine,
Landline & Mobile Number,
Office Supplies, &
Solid Internet Connection

You might also want to look into freight brokering software, as it can automate a part of your work and boost your productivity.

With time, you'll see what other items or services are necessary and get them as the need arises, but these are the basics.

10. Get Enough Initial Operational Capital

Unless you have enough cash already at your disposal, you will probably have to consider the line of credit you can secure before you start brokering. Since you will be the intermediary between shippers and carriers, you'll often have to pay truckers for the shipment before you've received the payment from the shipper.

Once you've settled your business plan and gotten a line of credit, you're on the safe side financially, and you'll be able to start brokering for success.

11. Market Your Freight Broker Business

The final bit you need to cover is how you will market your brokerage to potential clients. Here you can think about what will make you stand out and how you can get your message across best.

From a marketing strategy and social media profiles with regular posts to a great website with a blog and printed marketing materials – the scope depends on what you think will impress future clients most.

How to Start a Freight Brokerage

Starting your freight brokerage does not need to be complicated – but you do need to prepare thoroughly for launching a freight brokerage business .

We hope this guide has been helpful, and wish you goodlcuk on starting your own freight broker business!

If you're ready to start, make sure to get a FREE quote online for your freight broker bond to save on your startup costs!

How to Become a Freight Broker Ultimate Infographic Guide

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