Licensed Broker:
A freight broker is an individual or company that serves as a liaison between another individual or company that needs shipping services and an authorized motor carrier. They help trucking companies fill their trucks and earn money doing so, and they help those with items to arrange shipping, fees, and terms. A broker can be an individual or a company, but either way, a freight broker license is required in the United States; requirements and procedures may differ in other countries.
Education is often the first step in acquiring a freight broker license. Many prospective freight brokers enroll in training programs to learn what they need to know for becoming licensed and operating as a freight broker. Some of these training courses are available online. Interestingly, formal education isn’t required to obtain a freight broker license. A person could learn what he needs to know by working under a licensed freight broker or even by reading books and manuals.
To operate as a freight broker, a business or individual must obtain a license from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Freight brokers are also expected to carry insurance to protect both their business clients and their customers from loss. In many areas, freight brokers are required to carry surety bonds as well.
