Freight Broker Software — Carrier Vetting, Compliance, and Load Management
Freight brokers face a unique set of challenges — you're not just moving freight, you're selecting carriers to move it safely. If you tender a load to an unsafe or uninsured carrier, you can be held liable under negligent selection. Freight broker software automates carrier vetting, compliance tracking, and load management so you're protected.
What Freight Broker Software Should Do
Carrier Vetting and Onboarding
Before tendering a load to any carrier, the broker must verify:
- MC number status — is the carrier's authority active?
- DOT number status — is the carrier registered?
- Insurance coverage — does the carrier have adequate auto liability and cargo insurance?
- CSA scores — does the carrier have safety problems?
- SAFER data — what's the carrier's safety rating?
- Operating authority type — common, contract, or both?
- Equipment type — does the carrier have the right equipment?
SafeHaul TMS² automates all of this with FMCSA lookups — enter the MC or DOT number, and the software pulls authority status, insurance, and safety data directly from FMCSA.
Insurance Certificate Tracking
Brokers must verify that every carrier has adequate insurance before tendering a load. The software should track:
- Certificate of insurance on file for each carrier
- Coverage types (auto liability, cargo, general liability)
- Coverage amounts (minimums per broker requirements)
- Expiration dates with automated alerts
- Named insured verification (is the broker listed?)
Load Management for Brokers
Post loads, assign carriers, and track shipments:
- Load posting and carrier assignment
- Rate confirmation generation
- Carrier dispatch and tracking
- Real-time GPS tracking via Samsara/Motive
- Document collection (BOL, POD, rate conf)
- Invoice generation and carrier payment tracking
Broker Compliance
FMCSA has specific requirements for brokers per 49 CFR Subchapter C:
- $75,000 surety bond (BMC-85) or trust fund
- Broker authority (MC number) — active and in good standing
- Process agent designation (BOC-3 filing)
- Records retention — 3 years for broker-carrier agreements
- No double brokering — carriers can't re-broker loads without consent
- Negligent selection documentation — prove you vetted the carrier
Negligent Selection — The Broker's Biggest Risk
"A broker tendered a load to a carrier without checking their CSA scores. The carrier had multiple unsafe driving violations. The driver caused an accident. The shipper sued the broker for negligent selection — and won. The settlement was $2.3 million." — Real case outcome
Negligent selection means you knew or should have known that the carrier was unsafe, and you tendered the load anyway. Without documented carrier vetting, you have no defense. SafeHaul TMS² creates an audit trail of every carrier check — when it was done, what was checked, and what the results were.
How SafeHaul TMS² Handles Broker Operations
| Feature | SafeHaul TMS² |
|---|---|
| FMCSA carrier lookup (MC/DOT) | Yes — automatic |
| Carrier vetting and onboarding | Yes — with audit trail |
| Insurance certificate tracking | Yes — with expiration alerts |
| CSA score monitoring (per carrier) | Yes |
| Load posting and carrier assignment | Yes |
| Rate confirmation generation | Yes |
| Document collection (BOL, POD) | Yes |
| Invoice and payment tracking | Yes |
| Negligent selection documentation | Yes — full audit trail |
| Broker-carrier agreement tracking | Yes |
| Samsara/Motive GPS tracking | Yes — real-time |
| Carrier DNU (Do Not use) list | Yes |
Protect Your Brokerage from Negligent Selection Claims
SafeHaul TMS² automates carrier vetting, insurance tracking, and compliance documentation — with a full audit trail for every carrier check. $39/truck/month.
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