Truck dispatchers are the people who keep the trucking business going in the background. They are the ones who plan the shipments, load the drivers, and make sure that goods get to their destinations safely and on time. A trucking dispatcher is the main link between drivers, customers, and logistics staff. They handle information, solve problems, and set up routes so that things move more quickly.
The supply chain management and logistics industry is growing, and so is the need for experienced dispatchers. There are thousands of dispatcher jobs open to beginners every year, so it’s a safe and promising career for people who are good at organizing and talking to people.
At HET HUB, we help aspiring truck dispatchers learn the skills, tools, and training needed to start or advance their careers in logistics. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to become a trucking dispatcher. You’ll learn about truck dispatcher jobs and responsibilities, how to find the right truck dispatcher training courses, and how to get the right certificates. The guide will help you every step of the way, whether you’re thinking about becoming a truck dispatcher as a new job or taking a web-based course to improve your skills.
What Does a Trucking Dispatcher Do?
To get freight from one part of the country to another without any problems, a trucking dispatcher is very important. Their main job is to make sure that deliveries are on time and within budget by connecting the drivers, shipping, and routes. Trucking dispatch software is utilized by dispatchers for tracking shipments and managing issues that could arise, including delays or mechanical breakdowns.
Also, they are involved in additional activities such as load planning, maintaining communication with drivers during the duration of the trip, load documentation, monitoring compliance, and relating to both customers and careers.
There are two general types of dispatchers:
Assist dispatchers are individuals that are hired by a trucking company. They build a fleet of drivers, perform load planning every day, and comply with trucking company policies.
Independent dispatchers are self-employed or have some ownership in a business that dispatches for more than one carrier. They have a little more independence, but also have to acquire loads and set up rates.
Dispatchers are the individuals who communicate with shippers, drivers, and customers within the supply chain and coordinate all deliveries and operations on a timely basis. Dispatchers are vital to a logistics operation as without them small delays would hinder business operations and cost more money to the greater logistics network.
Is Truck Dispatching Right for You?
Before you apply to enter the trucking industry, you should understand what makes someone a good dispatcher for the trucking company. You should be thorough, have good communication skills and be able to coordinate multiple things at the same time. Dispatchers must remain calm under pressure while they track shipments, answer calls, or change routes quickly. There is an opportunity to work in many environments. Dispatchers are working from their homes today utilizing cloud-based trucking dispatcher software.
Dispatchers that work in logistics centers have the opportunity to communicate with their colleagues at the same time in real-time. A typical day for a dispatcher includes tracking delivery schedules, assigning drivers and loads, checking on vehicle or driver status, notifying clients about shipments that are en route, and figuring out issues truck drivers are experiencing when they are in transit.
Each day of the cycle is constantly changing, and dispatching is a fast pace occupation. Dispatchers are organized, quick on their feet, follow through, and have the satisfaction of having the ability to document processes and problem solve during operational disruptions.
8 Step to become a Trucking Dispatcher
Follow these 8 simple steps to start your journey as a professional trucking dispatcher and build a successful career in freight logistics.
Step 1: Understand the Industry
Before you can work as a trucking dispatcher, you need to know how the trucking and freight business works. Dispatchers connect shippers, drivers, and brokers. You can make better choices if you know how goods move through the supply chain. To get a full picture of how transportation companies work, learn about the different types of freight, such as dry van, flatbed, and refrigerated, as well as logistics networks and delivery schedules.
Get to know some important terms in your field. A bill of lading, for instance, is a legal document that lists the items that were shipped. A freight broker is someone who helps shippers and carriers find each other and arrange transportation. A load board is a website where you can find trucks and loads that are available. If you know what these words mean, you’ll be able to handle real-life dispatching situations with confidence.
Last but not least, read up on the rules and hours of service set by the Department of Transportation (DOT). It’s not just helpful to know about compliance; it’s necessary to avoid expensive fines and make sure every trip is safe and legal.
Step 2: Meet Basic Requirements
You don’t need a degree to work as a trucking dispatcher, but you must meet some basic requirements. Most employers prefer someone who has at least a high school diploma or GED, and has a good knowledge of writing and oral communications.
There is no official dispatcher license, but many companies prefer you to have a clean driving record and be able to pass a background check. This is important when dealing with personal client information or working directly with drivers.
You do not need formal credentials to obtain a job as a truck driver, but having knowledge about trucking, route planning, and the job of the truck dispatchers can be useful in your hiring process, or getting hired for dispatcher training programs later in your career to become a dispatcher.
Step 3: Take Dispatcher Training (Optional but Recommended)
While a formal education or training is not strictly necessary to enter the field, taking a truck dispatcher training course will enhance your skills and improve your readiness for employment. These courses will teach you everything you need to know in order to manage freight successfully, including communication protocols, how to negotiate rates, and how to use trucking dispatch software.
Truck dispatcher courses can be offered in person or online. Online classes are a good option for individuals with a commitment to another obligation because they tend to provide flexibility in completing assignments. In-person classes, on the other hand, tend to offer more first-hand simulations and are likely to have a high-touch mentorship component. A few examples of full training names of courses and learning websites include: Dispatch Training Center, Freight Movers School, or Udemy.
If you would like to make an impression, it might be worthwhile to consider completing a truck dispatcher certification if the certification covers FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) compliance and safety standards. The certification verifies you understand the relevant laws and makes you more credible to find employment or when working for yourself.
Step 4: Gain Experience or Start Small
Like in most jobs, you get better at dispatching the more you do it. Good entry-level jobs in logistics companies include dispatch assistant, operations coordinator, and customer service representative. These jobs will help you learn about real-world dispatch processes, such as how to schedule, communicate, and keep track of loads.
If you can’t find a formal job right away, think about volunteering or following an experienced dispatcher around. Many people who work in this field start out by managing a few loads for local carriers or helping out family-owned trucking companies. Having worked in logistics, sales, or customer service also helps you become a dispatcher, which gives you the skills you need for more advanced jobs in the future.
Step 5: Choose Your Path – Work for a Company or Go Independent
Once you’ve developed the skills or comfort level, you will decide whether to work as a company dispatcher or an independent dispatcher. Company dispatching offers you some job security with set hours and a steady paycheck. You will be in charge of a fleet of trucks, will have a set of rules or guidelines to follow for the company while also having the company’s tools and support system available to them.
On the downside, if you work for a trucking company, you do not have the same autonomy as you would working for yourself, and will not earn as much money as also company dispatchers.
Working as an independent dispatcher gives you the flexibility to work for more than one carrier, or even start your own dispatching business. In this case, you will want to develop a business entity (ie LLC), Employer Identification Number (EIN), and contracts with your clients detailing your services.
States may also require you to have a business license. An independent dispatcher operates a dispatching business and is compensated on the basis of the load, thus providing them the ability to earn more. After becoming established, independent dispatchers will still need to do their own marketing, managing clients, and have more responsibility for compliance.
Step 6: Set Up Tools and Software
To be an effective trucking dispatcher, it is imperative to be equipped with the proper digital tools. Transportation Management Systems (TMS) are the primary systems dispatchers should become familiar with, as they are essential software systems involved with determining routes, schedules, billing, and paperwork. The dispatcher will also pull load boards, such as DAT and TruckStop to locate the best trucks for their freight and allow them to maximize their time.
It is essential to have knowledge of ELD (Electronic Logging Device) systems, as they account for hours of service for drivers and abide by DOT regulations.
TruckLogics, ITS Dispatch, and Axon are a few of the most popular trucking dispatcher software systems to use for streamlined approaches for planning trips, communicating with drivers, and to report on the trips. And don’t forget about the communication tools used by a dispatcher.
Dispatchers rely on phones, email, and fleet tracking platforms (Samsara or Motive – formerly KeepTruckin) to communicate with their drivers and clients in real time. Knowing how to leverage these tools will streamline your dispatching, limit disruptions, and will create efficiency in what is often a high-pressure logistics environment.
Step 7: Build Industry Connections
A strong network is one of the strongest ways to grow in your trucking dispatcher career. Relationships with freight brokers, carriers, and drivers will naturally help you with finding consistent loads, improving rates, and staying current in the market.
Meet people in the industry through professional organizations, such as the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) or local associations for trucking. Be sure to join dispatcher and trucking groups on Facebook or Reddit, as well as online dispatcher forums to hear about new tools, obtain resources, and stay tuned in to potential job opportunities.
LinkedIn is another great platform to network. Follow some logistics companies, comment on posts dealing with freight, and highlight your past experience and skills. If you intend to work on your own, your professional network will turn into a continuous source of partners and potential clients.
Step 8: Keep Learning and Stay Compliant
It is important to stay omni-bus with changes in the logistics world. Keep up with FMCSA regulations, changes to Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, and safety standards on an ongoing basis. Not only does this keep you legal, it also helps build trust with clients and carriers. To stay ahead of emerging trends in trucking – such as automation, AI route optimization, and sustainability – you may want to consider a refresher or advanced truck dispatcher training course.
Many dispatchers also seek to learn about freight brokers versus dispatchers for skills improvement. In order to improve your reputation, work towards consistency, good communication, and professionalism. To accomplish this, arrive when expected, respond to clients and drivers in a timely manner, and document your actions clearly. Your perseverance to develop learning opportunities, and enforce compliance with established governing policies will foster a reputation as a professional high-performing dispatcher in the logistics network over time.
Wrapping Up
When you work as a trucking dispatcher, your job goes beyond just route planning; you will facilitate the operations of the logistics industry. Anyone with good communication and organization skills can have a meaningful career in trucking dispatcher if they have the proper mix of skills, tools, and training.
You prepare yourself for continued success in the job by progressing through the stages of learning about the basics of the industry, completing truck dispatcher training programs and continuing your education, learning about and using dispatching software, and making contacts with carriers. The dispatching field is expanding, and you will have opportunities to either work for an established business or start your own dispatch business.
As you hone your skills, you can stay relevant by continuing to learn, being aware of FMCSA regulations, and adapting your processes and style of applying dispatching tools and other available technology. With a positive attitude, hard work, and determination, dispatching can become a stable career and provide you with opportunity for continuous growth. Dispatching keeps goods moving and businesses operating daily.
FAQs
Do you need a license to become a dispatcher?
You are not required to have a special license to function as a trucking dispatcher, but it’s important to have a business knowledge, if not firsthand experience, of the DOT and FMCSA rules. Many brokers engage in or get certified, as a truck dispatcher, to engender credibility and enhance their chances of engaging a potential employer or workforce.
How long does it take to become a dispatcher?
A dispatcher position generally takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to secure depending on the absorption rate and whether you are going through the educational process. The quickest way to compress that learning curve would be to take an online course or secure an internship to learn as a truck dispatcher.
Can you work from home as a dispatcher?
Yes, a lot of dispatchers work from home. With cloud-based trucking dispatcher software and communication tools, you can keep track of drivers, loads, and schedules from almost anywhere. Some businesses, on the other hand, may still prefer to have people work in the office to collaborate and keep an eye on the team.
How much do dispatchers make?
Truck dispatchers in the U.S. make between $40,000 and $65,000 a year on average. This depends on their experience, where they live, and whether they work for themselves or a company. Independent dispatchers who work with a lot of clients can make a lot more money by using commission-based models.
