How to Get Started in Freight Brokering
If you’re thinking about starting a career in freight brokering, formal training isn’t a legal requirement, but it can be incredibly helpful. You can take an online course, work through a book, or get some hands-on experience working at a freight brokerage company. Plus, additional training and education may be tax deductible, so it’s worth checking out what your options are.
In-person Broker Training
You can also choose to attend classroom-based freight broker training classes at a local community college or at a truckload carrier’s headquarters. These courses usually last a few days to a few months and focus on the same content as an online course, but they’re taught in person and taught by an instructor. The benefit of attending in-person training is that you can ask questions and get immediate answers.
Freight broker school is a great way to learn all the essentials of the industry, and many offer a free trial period for you to try out their programs. Some even provide a coach to guide you through your initial start-up and help you become successful in the industry.
One popular freight broker school is Freight 360, which offers an introductory course that teaches the basics of becoming a broker and setting up your business. They use a combination of video, audio, and images to deliver their lessons, making it easy for you to absorb the information. Freight 360 is available at a discount through DAT, so you can get started right away!
eAccessNY Broker Training
After completing the required training, you’ll need to complete an application for your New York broker license through eAccessNY. On the application, you’ll need to provide your real estate school and sponsoring broker information (if applicable) and answer a series of questions about your professional experience. You’ll also need to pass a two-hour exam and meet other requirements, including a 77-hour salesperson course and 75-hour broker course.
The best freight broker schools provide ongoing support to their students after graduation. For example, Brooke Transportation Training Solutions hosts a virtual event called Resource Friday that’s held weekly for their graduates. During this event, participating brokers talk with graduates about agent positions at their firm.
A W-2 freight broker works as an employee for a licensed broker and receives a salary along with commission for their work. A 1099 freight broker is an independent contractor who does work on a commission basis. Both types of brokers are regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The good news is, once you’ve successfully passed your broker course and met all the FMCSA requirements, it doesn’t take long to start earning money as a freight broker! Just be sure to find the best broker training that suits your needs and budget. Best of luck in your freight brokering career!