A dispatch service is the operations partner that keeps trucks loaded, routes planned, and communication flowing between carriers, brokers, and shippers so drivers can focus on driving while the back office handles the rest. It’s about turning available truck time into paid, compliant miles through smart load selection and constant coordination.

Dispatchers learn a carrier’s lanes, equipment, and preferences, then hunt for the right loads, negotiate the rate, confirm details, and assign the trip to an available truck. From pickup to delivery, they guide the route, watch hours-of-service constraints, handle check calls, and push paperwork so payment moves faster.

In trucking, dispatch typically falls into three buckets: in‑house dispatch run by a carrier, outsourced dispatch companies serving multiple carriers, and specialized dispatch focused on a particular trailer type or lane such as reefer, flatbed, step‑deck, or power‑only.

Common models include: carrier-employed dispatchers dedicated to one fleet; independent dispatch services that book loads and manage day‑to‑day coordination; and niche dispatch experts who work only certain equipment or regions, like temperature‑controlled freight in the Midwest or heavy haul in oilfield lanes.

Each day, dispatchers match the right load to the right truck at the right time. They verify shipper/receiver requirements, confirm appointment windows, plan fuel and rest stops, monitor progress, and step in early when delays, weather, or breakdowns threaten on-time delivery.

A typical flow is: learn capacity and preferences, search and screen loads, negotiate and book, complete setup and insurance docs, assign the driver and plan the route, track and report status, collect PODs and lumper/scale receipts, and close the load with clean paperwork for fast invoicing.

Costs depend on service depth. Many providers charge a small percentage of the load for booking and coordination, while full back‑office packages with round‑the‑clock support, paperwork, and detention/accessorial management may be priced higher or available as flat per‑load options.

Carriers join when they see consistent, good‑paying freight and clear communication. Show sample lanes, average rates achieved, simple onboarding, and a commitment to minimizing empty miles. Deliver reliably, follow through on problems, and carriers spread the word.

There isn’t a special federal “dispatcher license” for working under a carrier’s authority. However, arranging freight for shippers as an intermediary is brokering, which requires proper authority and a bond. Set up a compliant business, know the boundaries, and keep roles crystal clear.

Common options include a percentage of gross revenue for each load or a flat per‑load fee. Pricing usually reflects what’s included—basic booking only on the low end, and rate negotiation, tracking, after‑hours coverage, and paperwork management at higher tiers.

Dispatch time is the moment a load is officially assigned to a driver and released to move, or the scheduled time a shipment is set to depart. It anchors planning for ETAs, check calls, and appointment windows.

Dispatchers work when freight moves—early mornings for loading, daytime for coordination, evenings for deliveries, and after‑hours for issues. Many teams provide extended or 24/7 coverage so trucks don’t sit and loads don’t miss windows.

In policing, dispatch time refers to when a unit is assigned and sent to a call. The context differs, but the core idea matches trucking: the clock starts when resources are officially tasked to respond.

Hours can be long and irregular, with busier peaks at the start of the week and during market surges. The role is fast‑paced, communication‑heavy, and problem‑solving focused, with calm planning between spikes and quick action when conditions change.