Trucking is a great career, but it’s not without its disadvantages. One thing you can do to improve your life as a truck driver is to join a logistics carrier network.
Here’s what you need to know about logistics carrier networks and how you can join one:
What Is a Logistics Carrier Network?
A logistics carrier network is made up of drivers who are ready and willing to meet the demand of shippers working with a logistics provider. Essentially, a logistics provider works with shippers that are looking to arrange transport of a wide range of goods.
However, logistics providers don’t own or operate their own equipment, so instead, they outsource these shipments to drivers with the proper equipment.
A logistics carrier network is based on a mutually beneficial relationship between both logistics provider and carrier. The logistics provider needs the carrier to meet the needs of its customers or distribution centers. The carrier needs logistics solutions to secure loads and make money.
Who Can Join a Logistics Carrier Network?
Some logistics carrier networks are more diverse than others — it really depends on who the logistics provider works with.
For example, specialized logistics providers work in specific industries while others work in a number of different industries. Some logistics providers focus on a specific transportation method, while others offer all different types of transportation methods.
RPM is a logistics provider that handles any and all supply chain needs. As a result, RPM’s carrier network is extremely diverse in order to meet these needs. RPM works with many industries, including automotive inbound, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail and eCommerce, steel and industrial materials, manufacturing and machinery, building materials, chemicals, energy and utilities, paper and packaging, high-value, and electronics, and agriculture.
All of these different industries require a wide range of transportation solutions, including less-than-truckload shipping, full truckload shipping, expedited shipping, consolidated shipping, intermodal shipping, cross-border shipping, and drayage shipping.
So no matter what kind of truck you drive, you’re welcome to join RPM’s network of over 30,000 carriers. Dry vans are always in high demand with our clients due to the price and protection they offer. Flatbeds are also a popular choice for oversized items.
Temperature-controlled reefer trucks are required to ship food products and pharmaceutical products safely.
Auto haulers are also welcome to join the network, as RPM provides hauling services for original equipment manufacturers, new products, privately owned vehicles, retail, rentals, auctions, remarketing, and fleet management.
What Are the Requirements to Join a Logistics Carrier Network?
Logistics providers want to work with the best carriers to ensure they provide the best supply chain solutions. As a result, logistics providers don’t accept just any carrier into their network. Instead, there are set requirements and vetting processes to ensure the safety and reliability of the carriers within a network.
The exact requirements of joining a logistics carrier network vary depending on the logistics provider’s policies. However, here are some basic requirements that you should be able to meet if you’re interested in joining a logistics carrier network:
- You must provide a valid MC/MX or USDOT number. If you solely do intrastate transport and, therefore, do not yet have a valid USDOT number, you may also be able to provide an applicable state registration number.
- You must provide a valid Tax Identification Number (EIN) for tax purposes as you’re considered working as an independent contractor.
- You must provide a certificate of insurance that meets the minimum requirements set by the logistics provider. Your certificate of insurance must be submitted directly from your insurance producer to ensure authenticity and legitimacy.
- Here’s an example of the insurance coverage you might be expected to have:
- General Liability: $1,000,000
- Auto Liability/BIPD: $1,000,000
- Workers’ Compensation: Statutory Limits
- Cargo: $100,000
What Are the Benefits of Joining a Logistics Carrier Network?
Just because you enjoy the independence and flexibility of being a truck driver doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from joining a logistics carrier network. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider joining a logistics carrier network:
Access to More Loads
Perhaps the biggest benefit of joining a logistics carrier network is that it provides you access to more loads. Particularly large logistics carriers can handle thousands of shipments every day, which means that they’re always looking for drivers to complete these loads. And the more loads you complete, the more money you make.
Access to More Support
As a truck driver, you should never be alone on the road. When you join a logistics carrier network, you’re never alone, and you always have access to the support you need when you’re on the road.
The best logistics providers like RPM provide 24/7/365 support to their carriers. RPM also provides carriers with a dedicated representative to help with weather delays and equipment issues.
Access to Better Technology
Administrative tasks can be the bane of your existence as a truck driver. However, working with a logistics provider can help digitize and even automate many of these administrative tasks that can impact your productivity.
For example, logistics providers might offer digital capture of documents, so there’s no need to maintain piles of paperwork. Instead of scrambling for a pen to record important information, you can record everything digitally.
How Does Billing Work?
As a carrier, you understandably want to get paid for the work you do. So how does billing work when you’re part of a logistics carrier network? Some logistics providers make it quite complicated to get paid. You should avoid partnering with such companies.
Instead, look for a logistics carrier network that understands your needs — and prioritizes them. For example, RPM is a logistics carrier that offers rapid payment to carriers. When you drive for RPM, you can get paid in less than three days instead of three weeks.
Can You Get a Dedicated Lane?
Most carrier networks utilize spot freight wherein carriers agree to transport a single load at a specific price. This approach allows carriers to choose which loads they haul and when they haul them — it’s totally up to them. And while this level of flexibility is often considered a strength of working in the trucking industry, it can be a weakness.
After all, there’s no guarantee that loads will be available that meet the carrier’s needs. So if you’re looking for something more consistent, then you may want to consider dedicated freight instead of or in addition to spot freight.
Dedicated freight involves a formal arrangement between a carrier and a logistics provider wherein the carrier agrees to haul consistent shipments at a consistent price. For example, say that a clothing company is looking to ship the same shirts to the same location every month. The clothing company would contact a logistics provider, setting up a contract freight agreement with a carrier in their network.
There are several advantages to working contract freight over spot freight as a carrier. For starters, it’s a more consistent way to work. Instead of randomly picking up from load boards and never knowing where you’ll go next, you can plan ahead based on the contract loads you already have scheduled.
Contract loads also offer more stability since they’re usually long-term instead of just a one-time thing. You might sleep easier knowing when your next paycheck will be and how much it’s going to be. It’s up to you to determine if contract loads or spot loads are better for you based on your needs and overall lifestyle.
If you’ve decided that you’re interested in contract loads, then you need to make sure that a carrier network you join offers this type of load. Most carrier networks are based on spot loads. However, some may offer a limited number of contract loads based on the needs of their clients.
What to Look for in a Logistics Carrier Network?
Partnering with a logistics carrier can be beneficial. That being said, not all logistics carriers are created equal. To truly benefit from this partnership, you need to find the right company to partner with.
Here are some things to look for to ensure that the relationship is mutually beneficial for both carrier and provider:
Easy Access to Available Loads
The main purpose of joining a logistics carrier network is to access more loads. However, you won’t benefit if these loads aren’t easily accessible. Look for a logistics provider that offers a digital booking process where you can secure a load with the click of a button.
Competitive Pricing
In theory, hauling more loads should equal more money — which is why it’s important to work with a logistics provider that offers competitive pricing. That way, you can maximize your earnings.
Adequate Support
If something happens while you’re on the road, you shouldn’t have to handle everything independently. So look for a logistics provider that prioritizes carrier support by offering constant and dedicated support to its carriers.
Top-Notch Technology
Working with a logistics provider should be easy, and there are tools out there to make your life easier. Look for a logistics provider that offers these tools for their drivers.
For example, RPM developed its mobile application called "RPM Drive" to make its drivers' lives easier. This app offers immediate access to available loads, fair pricing, faster payment processing, real-time capture for damage claims, one-to-one support, and digital capture of all documents.
Volume
It only makes sense to partner with a logistics provider if they have enough volume to offer their network. As a result, you should work with logistics providers with a high and consistent volume of shipments available for booking.
RPM is a top logistics provider in vehicle and freight transportation that handles thousands of shipments every day. As a complete, end-to-end transportation service provider, RPM can support all modes of transportation across all industries. So whether you drive a flatbed or a dry van, there’s always demand to fill your truck.
Reputation
Reputation is always important — especially when it comes to logistics providers. You want to work with a logistics provider with a great reputation with shippers and carriers. A great reputation with shippers means more loads, and a great reputation with carriers means a better overall driving experience.
With nearly ten years of experience, RPM has prided itself on its reputation with both shippers and carriers. RPM currently works with more than 2,000 shippers through a network of more than 30,000 carriers.
RPM’s great reputation is exemplified with countless awards, including the “Inc. 5000,” the “Inc. Best Workplaces,” the “Great Place to Work,” and “Crain’s Detroit Business Private 200.”
Conclusion
As you can see, joining a logistics carrier network can completely transform the way you drive. Instead of handling everything yourself, you have access to the support and loads you need to have a successful driving career.
If you’re interested in joining RPM’s network of carriers that’s over 40,000 strong, click here to begin the application process. Click here if you want to see RPM’s carrier agreement before moving forward.
As always, if you have any questions about what it means to partner with RPM, feel free to reach out.
Sources:
Local, Over-the-Road, Regional Routes Each Offer Pros, Cons for Drivers | TheTrucker.com
Q: How Much Do Truck Driver Jobs Pay per Week in 2022? | ZipRecruiter
How To Maximize Your Pay During A Time Of High Driver Demand | TruckingTruth Blog
