To know how load boards work, we need to know what a load board is. Load boards, also known as, freight boards is where truck owners, shippers, and freight brokers post and search for next loads or jobs.
How do trucking load boards work? Load boards are an online market place where truck drivers can post their empty trucks and shippers or freight brokers post loads. They help brokers, shippers, and small carriers communicate to have loads delivered by truck drivers to their designated destinations.
Load boards are beneficial for truck drivers to be able to search for loads in different locations to see where deliveries need to go. Truck drivers, especially those who are starting in the business, need to know where jobs are available, this is where Load Boards help.
How Do Load Boards Work?
How load boards work is by connecting truck drivers to freights that need to be delivered and connecting freight brokers to trick drivers who can deliver the freights through an online communication site.
Truck drivers and brokers need to sign up to the load boards online to take advantage of the benefits and to communicate with each other.
All transactions and communication should be through the load boards’ website so there is a trial of what was communicated.
Is There a Fee to Post on Load Boards?
Some load boards do not charge to post. There are a few that do require a subscription or a membership. And some have a free trial for about 14 days, and then the membership starts.
Example of free truck load boards are:
Examples that require a subscription are:
What Are the Advantage and Disadvantages of Load Boards?
Getting started with your shipping businesses is best with load boards. They can help new truck drivers connect with shippers, and they will gain experience right away. There are advantages and disadvantages to using the Load Board. Let’s look at the pros first.
Advantages of Load Boards
- Everything is in one place – job, job description, location, destination, how much time it will take to complete the delivery, and how much the job will cost.
- Since Load Board are posted, online jobs are available at all time.
- You create your work schedule.
- Sites are easy to navigate on the road.
- Can help avoid deadheading
Disadvantages of Load Boards
- Duplication of jobs can occur since they are usually posted on multiple Load Boards.
- It is not recommended for long term shipping jobs – mostly recommended for gaining experience.
- Most jobs are for low payments.
- Very competitive.
- Could become a victim of fraud (Double Brokering)
How Do Truck Drivers Get Paid on Load Boards?
This all depends on a few factors. Truck drivers and brokers can communicate to set up a method of payment.
Some brokers use load boards that provide fuel cards, and the money can be loaded through there. Other brokers can set up direct deposit for the truck drivers; this would be for more long-term contracts and deliveries.
Sometimes checks are mailed, this is probably the slowest method, but some truck drivers use a factoring company. With using a factoring company, truck drivers need to be extremely cautious because they take a percentage of the payment and look over any extra fees they may have. Make sure to read over all agreements.
How Do I Sign up for a Load Board?
Let’s address it in 3 simple steps.
- You have to look over the different sites available. Choose whether to sign up with a free load board site or one with a membership. It’s best to look over all the features each site has. Choose which one best fits your needs and what you’re looking for. After you pick the site, you will click on where it says, join or sign up.
- Start enrolling with adding your personal information (name, address, USDOT number, etc.) If the site is one with a membership, you can choose which plan you want to sign up for, as this can vary from site to site.
- Pick one! Once all the information is in, and you’re registered, you can see different freights that are there, choose one to pick up and deliver, and now you are officially a truck driver.
Additional Services Offered by on Load Boards
Here are the different services offered by Load Boards:
- Credit check – this shows you whom you are dealing with before taking the freight, meaning you can see if there are any legal actions against the company or shipper, and it even shows the number days it usually takes for the company to pay.
- Messaging board – useful for communication between broker and driver
- Invoice service – to bill broker
- FMCSA verification – for brokers to make sure truck drivers are licensed and insured
- Software updates at no cost to truck drivers
What is Double Brokering?
First and foremost, please know that double-brokering is entirely illegal, and this is when a carrier books a load through one broker and turns around and brokers again with a different carrier. There are various scenarios in which this happens and why it happens.
For example, a carrier can accept a load, but then the broker gives it to another carrier that doesn’t have insurance or the proper authority. Some companies book a load from a carrier and never had the intention to pay in the first place. This can lead to small carriers and truck drivers who are primarily starting and put them out of business.
Sometimes a freight broker does have a legitimate to book two carriers. This happens when a broker needs another carrier’s experience or resources. This is called a co-brokering. Some carrier prefers to avoid this but if not avoided, make sure you are extremely careful.
How to Avoid Double Brokering
It is vital to be vigilant when booking a load, especially starting in the trucking industry. Truck drivers are like independent contractors unless they are hired directly through a shipping company, and they have to look out for themselves and their safety. Here are a few steps to take in avoiding double-brokering:
- Check credit score – some load boards offer this feature, always use it before accepting a load.
- Verify contact information – this should be checked on the FMCSA website
- Build relationships and rapport – once you’ve had a successful exchange with a broker save their contact information and try to work with them again in the future
- Work by referral – this can be helpful once you’ve built a relationship with a broker, they can refer you to other shipping leads.
- Say no – you don’t have to accept all jobs posted on load boards, if there is a job that looks too good to be true, it probably is.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a truck driver is a process, but it can be done. The shipping industry is a billion-dollar industry and helps the overall economy of the country. Load Boards are used for truck drivers to be able to get jobs, and if done the correct way, then a significant amount of money could be made. Just like every other industry, some people commit fraud, but being smart and vigilant, getting double-brooked can be avoided. And just like everything else, there are advantages and disadvantages to this industry and load boards, but it is possible to be your own boss as a truck driver.