Guide to Getting a Freight Broker License: 6 Steps – Business

Featured image by fkevin from Pixabay 

A freight broker organizes transport facilities at the behest of shippers. Then the shipper pays freight brokers a percent for their efforts. This typically involves locating a transporter, establishing pricing, and scheduling for cargo pick-up and delivery.

The procedure of becoming a certified freight broker requires the completion of a few steps. We’ll walk you through those steps so you know what to anticipate. After completing all of the requirements, you can begin your own business.

Step #1: Create a Legal Structure

Establishing a legal framework can assist you in encouraging investment or collaborators by providing them with a solid picture of the firm and its position. Moreover, establishing a corporate entity can help with business management and compliance with federal regulations.

In the event of damages or legal action, a legal framework also affords you limited liability protection. This implies that your personal wealth will be safe if the company is sued.

Additionally, a legal structure can help a freight broker form partnerships with other companies. This is significant because, to thrive, you will need to develop relationships with transport companies, merchants, and other enterprises.

To this end, you have the option of forming a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or even a limited liability company (LLC). Your decision will affect your tax payments to the degree of liability you individually undertake. Before reaching a choice, consult with a corporate attorney and a certified public accountant.

Step #2: Obtain Your Motor Carrier and DOT Number

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is the regulatory body overseeing the trucking sector. This entity mandates all new freight brokers to acquire an MC code and a DOT identification.

Your MC designation is the unique ID for your firm, and you need to post it on all of your corporation’s vehicles. The DOT number is the unique identifier for each of your firm’s drivers. In other words, your firm’s operators must all have a DOT ID and exhibit it on all the trucks they drive.

Moreover, the FMCSA’s rules ensure that trucking companies and drivers follow federal safety laws. These restrictions are significant because they aim to safeguard the public from the hazards posed by dangerous trucks and drivers.

The FMCSA can track and monitor truckers’ and drivers’ activity by requiring freight brokers to get MC and DOT numbers. This data assists the FMCSA in identifying and investigating safety issues and taking action to improve trucking safety. The FMCSA can take up to four to six weeks to provide your MC and DOT number.

Step #3: Obtain Your Freight Broker Surety Bond

A freight broker surety bond is a license and permit bond freight brokers need in order to acquire or renew their licensing. The freight broker surety bond ensures accountability to establish credibility and avoid fraud or late payment to truckers or shippers.

Suppose freight brokers or forwarders breach FMCSA laws, resulting in injuries or consequential damages. In that case, the affected party has the right to sue for the whole balance of the guarantee. With the resolution of the claim, the liable freight broker or shipper will compensate the surety for the entire amount of the losses, as well as any attorney expenses incurred.

Freight brokers get the choice of putting $75,000 into a trust. However, they must pay the full payment in advance. This also necessitates having that amount on hand even while handing out claims.

Freight broker securities are also known as BMC 84 bonds or FMCSA bonds. Your freight broker security payment is calculated as a proportion of the bond amount of $75,000 as decided by a surety firm.

Step #4: Get Liability Insurance

Freight brokers and third-party logistics providers liaise between relevant parties and transit systems such as rail, trucks, ships, and planes. Brokers may be held accountable if a shipment fails to arrive. Therefore, getting commercial insurance can be a huge help in times of crisis.

The first type of coverage is general liability insurance. This is an insurance plan for responding to liabilities that a freight broker may incur, including cargo damage or harm resulting from driving a vehicle. For instance, if a third-party trucker or warehouse employee is hurt when merchandise is being lifted from a truck, the freight broker is named a defendant in a lawsuit.

Contingency cargo insurance is the second type of coverage that freight brokers ought to have. This policy safeguards a transportation broker or freight forwarder from the responsibility incurred when arranging to convey cargo to someone else.

Step #5: Designate Processing Agents

A process agent is a specialist who serves judicial procedure in the instance of a complaint brought against a trucking company, shipper, or brokerage. The FMCSA compels all motor operators to employ a designated process agent within every state in which they are authorized to function and each state through which they traverse.

To establish your authorization, you should submit the BOC-3 form for agent registration with the FMCSA. You must return all BOC-3 forms to the FMCSA electronically and post the content to the FMCSA files daily.

Form BOC-3 establishes a registered agreement for motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders in any state in which they conduct business. A trucking business selects the process agents that promote them in each state where their vehicles move freight by submitting the BOC-3.

RELATED ARTICLE: 3 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES YOU MIGHT HAVE OVERLOOKED

Step #6: Obtain Your Unified Carrier Registration as a Freight Broker

You must now file with the FMCSA via the Unified Registration System. This approach incorporates all the forms necessary to register into a single, simple online application form.

The FMCSA uses this system to control and regulate statewide and/or global freight operations. Freight dealers must enroll on the UCR website and pay a processing fee of $76.

The trucking industry is forecasting growth in profits each year. Therefore, getting a freight broker license can come in handy in the near future to establish yourself as a legitimate businessperson.

RELATED ARTICLE: EXPERTS’ PREDICTIONS ABOUT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY

A Freight Broker Is an Essential Part of the Economy

Freight brokers are essential in transportation because they connect shippers with carriers who can convey their goods securely and effectively. Obtaining a freight broker license is not a complicated process. You can complete it with just a little knowledge and effort.

Once you get your license, you can run your own business and contribute to the smooth operation of the economy.

RELATED ARTICLE: TOP TIPS ON IMPORTING YOUR GOODS FROM CHINA