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What should I ask a dispatcher before hiring?

Ask for the exact fee and its basis, the contract and cancellation terms, how they find loads and vet brokers, how many trucks each dispatcher handles, who pays them, and whether they will give you the rate confirmation for every load.

Fee questions: percentage or flat, on linehaul or everything, any setup, technology or termination fees.

Work questions: how they find loads, how they check brokers, after-hours coverage, whether you approve every load (you should), and whether they will give you each rate confirmation.

Trust questions: legal name and business registration, a written agreement, references, and whether they take any money from brokers or your factoring company. A short trial, such as four weeks, lets you compare rate per mile, empty miles and downtime.

Example. Ask: "If I gross $6,000 this week, what do I owe, and what is that figure calculated on?" A clear answer in dollars is a good sign. A vague one is not.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change. Check the sources and talk to a transportation lawyer before you sign or start.

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Last reviewed Thu, Nov 12, 2026 · Where our data comes from