Freight Broker Training in Charlotte

By acting as the middle man between shippers and truckers, freight brokers help to move cargo around the country and play an integral role in the national transportation industry. In fact, more or less everything in your home will have come as part of a shipment brought by a trucking company and arranged by a freight broker.

If you’re considering a new career as a freight broker and want to find out exactly how to start your business, a specialist training program is the answer. These courses are specifically designed to help get your business up and running and put you on the road to success.

What Are the Prerequisites to Become a Freight Broker?

While North Carolina itself doesn’t set any licensing requirements, there are a number of federal prerequisites you’ll need to meet in order to become a freight broker. These requirements are set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and are the same across the US.

Before you apply for your freight broker license from the FMCSA, you’ll need to register your business, get your USDOT number from the Department of Transportation and secure a freight broker surety bond of $75,000. You’ll also need to pay a $300 application fee and appoint registered process agents in every state you plan to operate in.

Which Skills Are Required to Be a Successful Freight Broker?

In order to run a successful freight broker business, there are a number of professional and personal skills you’ll need to master.

Communication skills: Because freight brokers work as intermediaries between shippers and truckers, they need to have excellent communication skills. Diplomacy can be required in certain situations, and you’ll need to be firm but fair if you’re going to move your freight around the country and build your client base.

Good people skills will also help you develop your network of truckers. Something that can help you to move more freight and make more money.

Business skills: As well as being good with people, freight brokers need skills that will help them to excel at managing their businesses. This includes things like marketing, sales and securing new clients.

Time management: As many freight brokers work from home, good time management skills are also essential.

Tech skills: Technology is becoming an increasingly important part of the transportation industry. Knowing how to use load boards, social media and tech to manage your business will help you stay one step ahead of the competition.

Choosing a Freight Broker Training School in Charlotte

If you need to develop some of these skills before launching your own freight brokerage business, specialist training programs are a great place to start. Freight broker training courses cover all subjects relevant to your new career including transportation law, marketing, sales, networking and technology.

You’ll find a great choice of online freight broker programs and there are also a number of courses available in Charlotte, NC if you prefer face-to-face teaching. Prices and teaching quality can vary between freight broker training programs, so it’s important to do a little research before you sign up.

To help you take the first step in your new career. We’ve put together a list of the best freight broker training programs available in Charlotte.

Brooke Transportation Training Solutions

Brooke Transportation Training Solutions offers both online and in-person training options. The company has extensive experience providing courses to aspiring freight brokers and has become one of the best-known names in the business.

The program offers all students job placement assistance once they’ve completed their course, giving them a little extra support as they find their feet.

Brooke Transportation Training Solutions runs in-person courses in Charlotte throughout the year. If you want to go at your own pace, choose an online course and study at a time that suits you. Veterans can qualify for up to 100% finance aid.

Global Precision Logistics

Global Precision Logistics offers courses in Salisbury, NC as well as other locations across North Carolina and the US. Their freight broker training course promises to teach you how to become a freight broker and how to start your own freight brokerage business. The course covers truck broker technology, load booking and other essential freight broker skills.

Freight Broker Boot Camp

If you’re looking for a freight broker training school with good online resources, the Freight Broker Boot Camp is a good option. The school allows students six months of full access to online financial strategies, negotiating methods, workflow diagrams and training articles. Accessing these resources should help you to maximize profitability and get your brokerage company off to a great start.

UNC Charlotte

The University of North Carolina, Charlotte, runs both freight broker and freight agent training courses. The courses offer students the chance for hands-on training and provide in-depth syllabuses covering everything from account keeping to insurance requirements.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Training Program

The main things to consider when looking for a freight broker training class in Charlotte are cost, quality and convenience.

You’ll need to select a freight broker or freight broker agent course that’s close to home or that you can access online. Your chosen course needs to be affordable and it needs to cover all the subjects you need to learn in order to launch a successful business.

Call a few prospective schools to ask about their syllabuses and ask brokers already working in the industry for recommendations.

Certifications for Becoming a Freight Broker in Charlotte

National requirements set by the FMCSA state that you must register your business and apply for your USDOT number before submitting your application to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. You’ll also need to purchase your surety bond before receiving your license.

You can give your career a boost by becoming a Certified Transportation Broker. In order to achieve this certification, you’ll need to sit an exam administered by the Transportation Intermediaries Association. Getting certified isn’t required by law, but you may well find that this extra accreditation helps you build your network and kickstart your career.

How Much Does Freight Broker Training Cost in Charlotte?

You can find online freight broker courses from around $185. In-person training is generally significantly more expensive. Depending on the course you choose you could spend up to $3,000 on your program.

Luckily, your investment should be worthwhile as the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that average freight broker jobs have a salary of around $48,000 per year. If you want to get a better idea of your potential earnings, ask your course leaders how much freight brokers make and what you can expect to take home in your first years of trading.

How Long Does it Take to Complete Freight Broker Training?

While you can complete a freight broker training seminar in a day or two, it generally takes a little longer to fully complete a course. Some programs promise to have your new business up and running in as little as 30 days. While if you opt for an online course, you could take up to six months to complete the training.