Truck Dispatcher License Requirements
Truck Dispatcher License Requirements
Find out how to become a truck dispatcher and discover what it takes to be the best in the business.
Are you interested in getting your truck dispatcher license but unsure of how to meet the independent truck dispatcher license requirements? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re obtaining your Federal Motor Authority, launching your own independent dispatching company, or navigating local rules and regulations, the experts at DAT Authority can help you meet all local and federal requirements.
- Use DAT’s unmatched resources to launch your own dispatching business.
- Get the support you need with DAT Authority.
- Learn what it takes to become a successful truck dispatcher.
Use DAT’s unmatched resources to launch your own dispatching business.
DAT’s unrivaled freight network and superdatabase gives dispatchers the competitive edge they need to thrive.
As a dispatcher, the ultimate success of your business boils down to the success of your carrier customers. After all, a dispatcher’s core responsibility is to develop a lucrative freight pipeline for each carrier client. So if you fail to invest in the success of your carriers adequately, you stifle your own business’ growth prospects.
The best way to position your carriers for sustained profitability is to invest in a load board that swiftly connects you to the most valuable loads. DAT has earned the trust of dispatchers nationwide by developing the largest on-demand freight marketplace in the country – giving dispatchers direct access to leading industry professionals and more than 400 million loads posted annually.
Get the support you need with DAT Authority.
Work with a team of experts to effectively manage your dispatching operations.
Managing a business can be difficult without the right team behind you. The seasoned pros at DAT Authority help dispatchers stay organized and ahead of the competition. Even if you’re an independent dispatcher, you don’t necessarily have to be a one-man-band. Whether it’s navigating registration requirements, assisting with paperwork, or supporting other back-office needs, DAT Authority provides a safe pair of added hands to help dispatchers prosper.
Learn what it takes to become a successful truck dispatcher.
DAT provides day-one support and outlines the necessary steps to become an independent dispatcher or salaried dispatcher.
DAT has demonstrated its proven know-how in getting dispatchers up and running. For independent operators or dispatchers joining a larger company, we empower you with the tools and industry insights to generate long-term success. Connect to the largest freight network in the business and build new relationships with key industry players. Draw on exclusive freight listings and leverage market analytics to negotiate the best freight rates.
"Some say it's simple to get your authority, and that you should save your money and do it yourself. Other people, including myself, are not sure where to even begin. I used a service provided by DAT to get my authority. It was important to me that it was done right the first time, by people who have done this before."
- Chad Boblett - Boblett Brothers Trucking
"They took me by the hand an led me through all of the diffiult and confusing steps to ensure that I started off on the right food. I cannot say it any clearer than these folks know what it's all about."
- Gregg Knight, LTL Trucking
A truck dispatcher serves as a middleman between the carrier and the shipper. A truck dispatcher operates on a carrier’s behalf to find the best loads and negotiate optimal rates. Truck dispatchers are incentivized to find carriers high paying freight since they earn a percentage of the final freight rate.
The best freight dispatchers keep track of their carrier’s equipment specifications, lane preferences, and acceptable freight rates. Dispatchers then contact shippers and connect with brokers to identify new loads according to the carrier’s freight criteria.
Becoming a truck dispatcher is not a one-size-fits-all process. The type of truck dispatcher you want to become — whether as an employee or as an independent dispatcher — dictates the steps and best practices you should follow.
If you want to work as a salaried employee for another company, the process mirrors any other job search. Monitor job boards to capitalize on any open truck dispatcher positions that suit you. As long as you have a high school diploma or GED and some customer service experience, a truck dispatching company should be willing to provide further training.
For independent dispatchers, the first step is education. Before diving right in, it’s essential to get basic training on the truck dispatching business, along with insights on what it takes to successfully launch your own company.
Once you are properly prepared to operate your business, you should follow the following steps:
- Register your business — DAT Authority has helped thousands of dispatchers successfully launch their own businesses. Our expert team provides back-office support and helps you with registration requirements, authority applications, and other paperwork.
- Build an online presence — Establishing a vibrant online presence across your website and social channels is critical in order to build key relationships.
- Invest in a Load Board subscription — Dispatchers’ primary responsibility is to find high-quality loads for your carriers. If you’re serious about your business’ success, there’s no better investment than DAT’s load board. Access exclusive listings and the most new daily loads posted in the business.
A truck dispatcher’s primary job is to effectively manage freight on behalf of a carrier. The best truck dispatchers help carriers simplify their operations and streamline their business. Dispatchers can save carriers time and money by leveraging personal connections and navigating load boards to locate new loads.
Dispatchers also speak to brokers and conduct negotiations on a carrier’s behalf. Dispatchers will dispatch drivers and arrange the best route for each new load. It’s not uncommon for dispatchers to assist with other back-end duties too, such as reviewing drivers’ logs and hours.
The main difference is that dispatchers work on behalf of carriers to source the best paying loads. Remember that dispatchers only get paid on what you get paid, meaning your interests and incentives are always fully aligned. To uncover the best loads for you, dispatchers will often use load boards and leverage their connections with brokers.
Freight brokers, meanwhile, function as a distinctly different intermediary between shippers and carriers. Brokers generate income by naming prices to shippers and setting lower rates to carriers. A broker’s success is often predicated on their excellent relationships with shippers, which positions them as useful resources when finding freight.
Compensation for truck dispatchers varies across each state for every company type. Freight dispatchers that work for a larger, more established company are generally salaried employees, which means they typically don’t actually get paid on a per load basis. These salaried dispatchers right now make an average of $39,860 annually. Independent dispatchers, meanwhile, usually either earn a flat per-load fee or receive a commission that ranges between five and ten percent of the freight invoice.
Benefit from DAT’s vast resources and become a thriving dispatcher!
Whether you’re looking to build a dispatching company from the ground up or an established dispatcher looking to accelerate growth, DAT gives you the support and tools you need. With the most comprehensive on-demand freight marketplace in the country, DAT positions dispatchers for maximum success over the long haul.