A high rate from a broker who pays in 60 days, or not at all, is worth less than a fair rate from one who pays in 20. Over time, your own payment records are the best guide to who deserves your truck.
Check before the first load
- Verify the broker's authority and contact details on FMCSA's official site.
- Ask your factoring company or a credit service for the broker's credit and days-to-pay history.
- Read the broker-carrier agreement for payment terms and quick-pay options.
Track every payment
Log the invoice date and the date paid for every load. After a few months, the average days to pay by broker tells you who to book first. Our broker payment tracker does this automatically.
Sort into three groups
- Book first: pays on terms, few disputes, clean rate confirmations.
- Book with care: slow at times, or frequent paperwork problems.
- Avoid: chronic late payment, disputes or red flags.
Put it in your green-light rules
A written list of brokers to avoid, or a minimum credit standard, belongs in your green-light rules so your dispatcher books only where you will get paid.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or regulatory advice. Rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible agency or a licensed professional.
