How to choose a truck dispatcher (and avoid the bad ones)

What a good dispatcher does

A good dispatcher finds and negotiates loads, checks brokers, handles rate confirmations and paperwork, and plans your week so you run less empty. They work for you, not for the broker, and they never book a load you didn't approve.

9 questions to ask before you sign

• Do I approve every load, or can you book without asking me?
• Percentage or flat weekly fee, and do I pay in weeks I don't run?
• Is there a contract or a cancellation fee?
• Do you take money from brokers too?
• Do you check broker credit and fraud reports before booking?
• Who calls brokers for detention, layover and TONU pay?
• Do you work nights and weekends when I'm on the road?
• Do you speak my language?
• Can I talk to a carrier you dispatch now?

Red flags

• Forced dispatch: pressure to take cheap loads or long hauls you didn't want.
• Big setup fees or 6–12 month contracts.
• Hidden broker kickbacks: the dispatcher gets paid by the broker on the same load.
• No written agreement that says what you pay and when.
• They ask for your login to load boards or factoring and won't say why.

How we do it

You approve every load, there's no long contract, and you only pay for weeks you run. Dispatch on your own MC starts at 4% or $250 a week for semis. We speak English and Spanish, and everything is in a written agreement you sign online.

Quick answers

Is a truck dispatcher worth it?
For most owner-operators, yes, if the dispatcher gets you better rates and fewer empty miles than you'd get alone, and the fee is clear.

Should a dispatcher have a contract?
There should be a written agreement, but it shouldn't lock you in. Look for a short cancellation notice, like 7 days.

More guides: Loads with a new MC · Dispatch fees explained · Lease on vs own MC · Box truck loads (no CDL) · Hotshot loads guide · Best load boards · Get your MC & DOT number · Factoring explained · IFTA filing guide · Cargo van loads guide