How to get loads as a new owner-operator Free Load Finder
A new owner-operator with a semi gets loads from load boards, brokers, Amazon Relay after 180 days, and shippers contacted directly. Type your USDOT number and we check your FMCSA record against each one and list who to call near you.
What the Load Finder shows
Your load calendar
The dates your authority passes 90 and 180 days, when more brokers and Amazon Relay open up.
Amazon Relay fit
Your FMCSA record against Amazon's published minimums, and the exact day you reach its 180-day minimum.
Brokers to call
Brokers near your address with active authority and a bond on file, with phone numbers.
Shippers to call
Companies near you registered with FMCSA as shippers, for direct freight.
Questions
What does Amazon Relay require from a semi carrier?
Amazon's published list: interstate authority active at least 180 days, a Satisfactory, None or Not Rated safety rating, $1,000,000 auto liability, $100,000 cargo, general liability, $50,000 trailer interchange, and out-of-service rates at or below 35% for drivers and 50% for vehicles.
Should I use a dispatcher as a new authority?
A dispatcher helps most when brokers keep saying no because your authority is new: a good one already has brokers who book new carriers. Compare what it costs with our Dispatch Fee Calculator before you sign.
How do I get loads with a new authority?
First make sure FMCSA shows your authority as active with your insurance filing on record (the check above does this). Then use several sources at once: load boards, brokers that book new carriers, shippers near you that you contact directly, and a dispatcher who already has broker relationships. Amazon Relay opens once your authority is 180 days old.
How old does my MC have to be before brokers book me?
There is no FMCSA rule. Each broker sets its own minimum in its carrier setup, so answers differ from broker to broker. Amazon Relay publishes its minimum: interstate authority active at least 180 days.
Where does the list of brokers near me come from?
From FMCSA's public records: companies near your registered address with active broker authority and a surety bond or trust fund on file. Being on the list is not a recommendation. Check any broker with our Broker Check before you haul for them.
Why call local brokers and shippers?
Load boards show the same loads to everyone. A broker or shipper in your own town sees you as a local truck they can count on, which is often how a new carrier gets its first steady freight.
Do you save my USDOT number?
No. The check reads FMCSA's public records for the number you type and shows the result.