You got your authority. You bought the truck. You signed up for a free load board to find freight. Then the first broker you contact asks, "How long have you had authority?" and the call goes quiet.

It's one of the most common things new carriers in our community tell us about. The good news: "no broker will touch a new MC" isn't true. Some carriers report getting set up with several brokers in their first two weeks. Others wait 90 days or more for the better-paying freight.

This guide covers why brokers hesitate, what they check, how to find the ones likely to say yes, and how to vet them back. It also lays out a plan for your first 180 days and what to do when a broker says no.

Do freight brokers work with new authorities?

Yes, some do. Not every broker accepts new authorities, and from what drivers tell us, the ones that do tend to set their own rules. Some will onboard you the day your authority goes active. Others want 30, 60, or 90 days. A few want 6 months or more, plus a clean safety record.

Why brokers hesitate

It helps to know what the broker is worried about. When you know their concerns, you can address them before they ask.

• Insurance minimums. Federal law requires at least $750,000 in liability coverage for general freight. Many brokers and their shippers ask for more, commonly $1 million in auto liability and $100,000 in cargo. Some also check that your insurer is financially strong.

• Authority age. A broker's own insurance or shipper contracts often set a minimum number of days. The person on the phone may not be able to waive it.

• No safety or claims history. A new carrier has no inspections, no CSA data, and no claims record. To a broker, that means no proof of how you run.

• Fraud and double brokering. This is the big one right now. Scammers set up fresh authorities, take loads, and disappear or steal the freight. Many brokers now see zero roadside inspections as a sign of a possible shell company. That's frustrating if you're legit, but it explains a lot of the no's.

• Reputation risk. If a load goes wrong, the broker answers to the shipper. On a high-value or time-sensitive load, many brokers stick with carriers they already know.

• Broker liability. In May 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II that federal law doesn't automatically shield brokers from negligent-selection claims. If a load goes wrong, a broker may have to show they vetted you properly. With a short track record, expect more paperwork questions. See our breakdown of the Montgomery ruling.

What's different in 2026

FMCSA launched its new registration system, MOTUS, in May 2026. It adds stronger identity verification for new registrants. Despite what some sites say, MC numbers weren't eliminated at launch. FMCSA still identifies carriers by USDOT number, and any phase-out of MC numbers needs future rule making.

What brokers look for in a new carrier

Most brokers check the same core items before they'll tender you a load. Exact thresholds vary by broker, so ask each one for their requirements.

For a full walkthrough of what goes in a packet, see our guide to carrier packet essentials. For insurance basics, see owner-operator insurance explained.

Broker qualification guide: how to find brokers likely to say yes

The fastest path is to prep once, then qualify each broker with one question before you spend time on their packet.

1. Build your packet before your authority goes active. Have your COI, W-9, authority letter, and business details in one folder so you can send them in minutes.

2. Check your own FMCSA record. Brokers see what SAFER shows. Fix any wrong address, phone, or email in Motus before you start calling.

3. Set up your onboarding platform profiles. Many brokers won't onboard you any other way. A complete profile makes you look established.

4. Start with brokers drivers name most often. In driver forums and videos, C.H. Robinson and TQL come up most for new authorities. Policies vary by office and change over time, so treat this as what drivers report, not a guarantee.

5. Call smaller regional brokers in your home lanes. They often make decisions by person, not by policy. A good phone call can matter more than your authority date.

6. Ask the qualifying question first. "What's your minimum authority age and insurance requirement?" If you don't meet it yet, note the date you will and move on.

7. Start with lower-risk freight. Brokers are more willing to try a new carrier on a lower-value load (AKA "cheap freight") with flexible timing. Prove yourself there, then ask for more.

8. Track every broker. Keep a simple broker sheet: broker name, contact, lane, rate, their minimum, the date you qualify, and whether you're approved. Work those contacts for repeat loads.

9. Follow up after every good load. Thank them, confirm you're available for that lane again, and ask what else they move.

Pro tips from drivers

• Answer the phone like a business. Brokers say how the call goes is part of the decision.

• Be ready to explain why your MC is new. If you have years of driving experience, say so.

• Don't race to the bottom on rates to get loads. Know your cost per mile and walk away from loads that lose money.

• Keep your insurance paid. Drivers report that a lapse can make an older authority look new again to brokers.

• Never run under someone else's authority to skip the wait. It can put your business and your insurance at risk.

• Collect references. Some brokers will take a chance on you if another broker you've hauled for vouches for you, and they do call.

• Know your equipment's market. Carriers report that flatbed and specialized freight moves more often through smaller brokers and direct shippers, who may care less about MC age.

• Be ready to accept load tracking. Some brokers that take new authorities ask you to share location through a tracking app for every load.

For more on turning first loads into repeat freight, see 5 tips to building broker relationships.

Brokers carriers report working with new authorities

These are brokers that carriers in TruckSmarter's community of drivers report onboarding new authorities, grouped by how old your authority usually needs to be. Use it as a starting point. Requirements vary by office, equipment, and freight type, and they change often.

Some carriers report TQL onboarding them on day one, so it's worth asking before you wait. Whichever brokers you call, vet each one with the steps in the next section before you haul.

How to vet a broker before you haul

Vetting goes both ways. New authorities are a top target for fraud, so check every new broker before you dispatch the truck.

1. Confirm their license and bond with FMCSA. Look up the broker on SAFER. Check that they hold active broker authority, not just carrier authority, and that a BMC-84 bond or BMC-85 trust is on file. Since January 16, 2026, FMCSA can suspend a broker whose financial security drops below $75,000 and isn't restored within 7 days

2. Match their contact info. The name, phone, and email on the rate confirmation should match FMCSA records and the broker's real website. If anything is off, call the broker back on the number listed with FMCSA, not the one that called you.

3. Check credit and payment history. Look for the broker's average days to pay and any complaints. Your factoring company can usually run a broker credit check. Other carriers in your network are a good second opinion.

4. Get a signed rate confirmation. Never move a load without one. Make sure it lists the rate, pickup and delivery details, and payment terms.

Red flags

• The rate is much higher than the lane usually pays.

• They push you to accept right now.

• They use a free email address (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook) instead of a company domain.

• The MC or USDOT number doesn't match the company name, or the authority is inactive.

• Pickup or delivery details are vague or say "TBD."

• They ask you to skip or change the rate confirmation.

Double-brokering warning signs

• The shipper's paperwork at pickup lists a different broker than the one who booked you.

• The broker tells you not to talk to the shipper or receiver.

• Your rate con comes from one company and payment instructions from another.

• You get a last-minute delivery address change by text or phone only.

If something feels wrong, don't move the freight. For a full breakdown, see how to spot fake load postings and our coverage of the FMCSA fraud crackdown.

Common mistakes and scams aimed at new authorities

Scammers know new carriers are eager for loads, which makes the first few months the riskiest.

Mistakes that cost new carriers

• Taking every load at any rate. Cheap freight can keep the wheels turning while the business loses money.

• Sending incomplete or mismatched packets. An expired COI or a business name that doesn't match SAFER is one of the most common reasons packets get rejected.

• Letting insurance lapse. Even a short lapse can trigger a revocation and reset how brokers see your authority.

• Ignoring the new entrant safety audit. FMCSA audits new carriers within 12 months of starting operations. Some violations, like having no drug and alcohol testing program, are an automatic fail (FMCSA).

• Paying for "broker lists." Paid lists of brokers that "accept new MCs" are everywhere. Most of the same names are free to find, and lists go out of date fast.

• Paying a dispatcher upfront with no contract. Know exactly what you're paying for and how to cancel before you share your login or documents. Be careful with "DM me" offers in forum comments and social groups.

Scams to watch for

• Deposit or setup fee for a lane. Someone offers "exclusive" high-paying freight to new DOT numbers, then asks for a deposit or insurance fee. Real brokers pay you. You don't pay them.

• Double brokering. A scammer books a real load, hands it to you while posing as the broker, collects payment, and disappears.

• Fake delivery address change. A text or call near delivery sends you to a new address where the cargo is stolen. Confirm any change in writing with the broker on a verified number.

• Phishing for your FMCSA login. Emails posing as FMCSA or a load board ask you to "update" your account. If someone gets in, they can change your contact or payment info. Log in only by typing the official site address yourself.

• Identity cloning. Someone uses your MC or USDOT number to book loads. Check your SAFER record often and report anything you didn't change.
  
  

Broker outreach scripts

Brokers field a lot of carrier calls, and a clear first pitch is often what gets your packet a look. The scripts below cover a first phone call, an intro email, and the “How long have you had authority?” question. Copy them, then make them your own. Keep it short, confident, and honest about your authority age.

Phone script

Hi, this is [Name] with [Company], MC [number], USDOT [number].

I run a [equipment type] out of [home city] and I'm looking for freight in [lanes or region].

Before I send my packet, what's your minimum authority age and insurance requirement?

[If they say yes]

Great. I'll send my packet today. Who should I send it to, and what lanes are you moving most right now?

[If they say not yet]

Understood. I'll hit [their minimum] on [date]. Can I reach back out to you then?

Email script

Subject: New carrier setup: [Company], MC [number], [equipment type]

Hi [Name],

I'm [Name] with [Company]. We run [number] [equipment type] based in [city, state] and are looking for freight in [lanes or region].

Our details:

- MC [number] / USDOT [number]

- Authority active since [date]

- Auto liability: $[amount] / Cargo: $[amount]

- ELD: [provider]

Our carrier packet is attached. Could you let me know your onboarding requirements and the best way to get set up?

Thanks,

[Name]

[Phone] | [Business email]

Answering "How long have you had authority?"

[Number] days. I know that's new, so here's what I can tell you:

I have [years] years of driving experience, [clean record / no violations],

and I carry $[amount] auto liability and $[amount] cargo.

I'm happy to start on a smaller load so you can see how I run.

What would you need from me to give it a shot?

What to do when brokers say no

A "not yet" from a big broker doesn't mean you sit still. These options keep freight moving while your authority ages.

• Direct shippers. Local manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers sometimes ship directly with small carriers. It takes legwork and patience, and many shippers have their own carrier requirements. One steady local customer can carry you through slow weeks.

• Smaller regional brokers. They often have more room to make their own call and care more about service in their lanes than your authority date.

• Broker-connected load boards. Some load boards let you book directly with brokers who already accept your setup, so you're not cold-calling every post. Check each listing's requirements before you bid.

• Factoring or quick pay. Neither gets you more loads, but both fix the cash flow gap while you wait 30 days or more for payment. Carriers often say slow payment, not the driving, is what sinks new authorities. Factoring companies can also run credit checks on brokers before you haul. Read the terms carefully: fees, recourse, and contract length vary a lot. See what to consider when choosing a freight factoring company.

You can also find more freight on your own with the strategies in how to find loads without a dispatcher and how to find backhauls using a free load board.

Find freight while you build broker relationships

The TruckSmarter load board is free, so you can search freight from day one without adding another bill while your authority is new.

• Free. No trial, no credit card, and no commission.

• 100K+ loads a day. More listings means more chances to find brokers in your lanes.

• Bid and book in the app. You can bid on and book most listings without a phone call.

• Your broker accounts, in one place. Connect your broker accounts and filter by freight source to focus on brokers you're already set up with.

• Optional Dispatch assistant. Dispatch can search loads for you right after sign-up. Bidding and booking require MC or DOT verification, and you always make the final booking decision. There's no dispatcher fee.

Broker acceptance still varies by broker, so check each load's requirements before you bid.

Your first 180 days: a timeline

More brokers open up as your authority ages. Here's what to focus on at each stage.

The new entrant safety audit happens within 12 months of starting operations, and FMCSA keeps monitoring you for your first 18 months. 

Keep building, one broker at a time

A new authority doesn't mean no freight. Some brokers will work with you on day one, and more open up at 30, 90, and 180 days. Get your paperwork ready before you call, qualify each broker with one question, vet every broker before you haul, and keep a broker sheet so good loads turn into repeat lanes. The first few months are the hardest, and every clean load makes the next yes easier.

While you build those relationships, the TruckSmarter load board gives you a free place to find freight. New authorities use it because it works on your phone and your desktop, it's simple to search, bid, and book, and it costs nothing: no trial, no credit card, and no commission. Ever. Sign up free and start finding loads today.