To say that freight brokering is a tricky world to tread is an understatement. On the one hand, it can be a rewarding career path with opportunities to earn a lucrative income. But on the other, it’s a cutthroat industry with high competition.
You need specialized skills and knowledge to succeed.
In this article, I’ve compiled the best freight broker training courses. All of these programs cover the most essential skills you need to succeed. From the daily tasks of a freight broker to what it takes to run a successful freight brokerage business.
It’s a mix of various providers, formats, specialized discussions, and more. All so that you can find the best course depending on your needs.
Let’s get started!
What is the best freight broker training course?
Here are the top 10 freight broker training courses out there:
- Freight Broker Training (Udemy)
- Freight Broker/Agent Training Platinum Plus (Freight Brokers Planet)
- Broker U – Gateway to Becoming a Freight Broker (Udemy)
- Freight Broker Basics Course (Freight 360)
- Freight Broker Crash Course 2023 (Udemy)
- Freight Brokerage – How to Start Your Own Business (Udemy)
- Freight Broker Course (LearnFreight)
- Freight Broker Training by Freight 360 (YouTube)
- How To Find Shippers (Udemy)
- Freight Broker Customer Service (Udemy)
My top pick from this list is the Udemy course, “Freight Broker Training” led by Andre Erving. It’s self-paced and offers seven hours of materials covering all the essential topics that all freight brokers need to know, from prospecting shippers and managing your relationships with carriers to basic information on starting your own freight brokerage business.
You’ll also have an opportunity to learn from an experienced freight broker and successful entrepreneur with real-world experience and insights from the transportation industry.
But if you want to go further and choose a course where you also get to interact with a professional freight broker, Freight Brokers Planet's Platinum Plus Course offers personalized coaching after course completion so you can get feedback and ask any questions you might have.
The course outline also covers the day-to-day tasks of freight brokers and the interpersonal skills you’ll need to secure clients and succeed in your role.
Best free freight broker training course
Freight 360, another leading provider of knowledge and insights in the field of freight brokering, offers a curated list of content on freight brokering fundamentals on their YouTube channel. It offers a wealth of information that’s all free to access to help you stay on the competitive edge of your role.
But ultimately, the best course depends on your learning style and preferences. And fortunately, this list offers an excellent combination of classes with different formats, discussions, offerings, and more!
Best freight broker training course reviews
1. Freight Broker Training (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Andre Erving | Length: 44 video lectures totaling 7 hours and 48 minutes
In this course, you’ll learn from the founder of a leading full brokerage services provider. Andre Erving’s class covers topics from trucking and brokering to effectively navigating potential business partnerships. It also comes with tips for starting your own freight broker business or becoming a freight agent.
You’ll learn:
- Prospecting shippers and quoting a load
- Implementing a minimum load fee
- Navigating carrier partnerships and carrier directories
- Managing pick-ups and drop-offs
Pros
- Taught by an experienced freight broker with real-world knowledge in the transportation industry
- Easy-to-follow presentation
- Comes with a downloadable freight broker training manual
- Full lifetime access to the course materials
Cons
- Pace may be too slow for some
- Limited interaction with the instructor in case you have questions
Who it’s for: Best for beginners with absolutely no background in the freight brokering industry. Recommended also for truck owners and freight dispatchers who are interested in transitioning to freight brokering.
Overall: This excellent course can be a stepping stone for entering the sector as a freight broker. It’s easy to follow and comes with supplementary materials, all from a knowledgeable instructor who’s walked the walk in the transportation industry.
2. Freight Broker Training – Platinum Plus (Freight Broker Planet)
Platform: Freight Broker Planet | Length: 16 hours
Freight Broker Planet has received positive reviews for their in-classroom training, and they've brought their reputation to the online space with a course that's flexible and purely virtual.
You’ll learn:
- The basics of freight brokering
- Critical soft skills in the business, from negotiation to interpersonal skills
- The freight transportation process
- Managing less-than-truckload (LTL) freight
- Finding clients
Pros
- Comes with one hour of personalized coaching within 30 days of course completion
- Solid coverage of freight brokering fundamentals
- Teaches soft and technical skills alike so you can be confident and succeed as a freight broker
Cons
- Limited video preview to the course
- Limited opportunities to learn with other peers
Who it’s for: Ideal for aspiring freight brokers who are seeking a well-rounded class.
Overall: This a solid course that offers a mix of technical and soft skills. The one-on-one coaching in this program is a great opportunity to get feedback on your skills and knowledge as well as any questions you might have.
3. Gateway to Becoming a Freight Broker (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Roger Garza | Length: 97 lectures totaling 9 hours and 48 minutes
Roger Garza has more than a decade of experience in the transportation industry. His Udemy course is geared for absolute beginners and focuses on helping you nail the basics so you can start a career as a freight broker.
You’ll learn:
- The differences between freight brokers and agents
- What tools and equipment you’ll need to succeed in this field
- About federal agencies and authorities you need to navigate in your business
- Important freight operations and shipping documents
Pros
- Well-structured and comprehensive content covering the fundamentals
- Promises additional support for students who complete the course, so you can ask questions and hear from the instructor
- Lifetime access to course materials
Cons
- Some students complained of limited visual aid
- Pace may be too slow for some learners
Who it’s for: Best for aspiring freight brokers with absolutely no experience.
Overall: Roger Garza’s Udemy course offers a solid introduction to the world of freight brokering. It’s a great starting point for anyone who wants to pursue a career in this field.
4. Freight Broker Basics Course (Freight 360)
Platform: Freight 360 | Teacher: Nate Cross | Length: 4+ hours, depending on your pace
If you ask freight brokers in online communities what online courses they’d recommend if they had to give one, Freight 360’s name comes up. Taught by an instructor who’s been in the logistics business since 2005, this course will teach you the ins and outs of freight brokering from starting your own company to sales, operations, and logistics.
Freight 360’s platform also offers extra resources to help you gain a competitive edge in your field, including blog posts and podcasts on the freight brokerage market and an option to receive one-on-one coaching from them.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand the fundamentals of the logistics industry
- Acquire your license to become a freight broker
- Source more leads to secure business opportunities
Pros
- Comes with a preview so you can get a glimpse of what to expect
- Offers payment plans from a single payment to monthly installment options
- A blend of video, audio, images, and text suitable for all learning styles
Cons
- Does not offer a certification
- Limited interaction with the instructor
Who it’s for: Regardless of your background, this course is a great fit for newcomers whether you’re transitioning from an entirely different industry or have some limited prior experience.
Overall: Freight 360’s course is a standout choice for anyone seeking a solid foundation in freight brokering. Whether you’re looking to start your own brokerage or enhance your skills as an employee of a brokerage, this course has you covered.
5. Freight Broker Crash Course 2023 (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Dima Harvylenko | Length: 53 minutes
Dima Harvylenko’s Udemy course on freight brokering is a brief and information-packed introduction to the field. In less than an hour, he covers the essentials of what you need to know to get started in the industry.
You’ll learn:
- The day-to-day tasks and duties of a freight broker
- How to ace your job interview
- The different types of freight and ways to negotiate rates
Pros
- Short and to the point for learners who want to grasp quickly
- Engaging and easy-to-follow presentation materials
- Comes with a free preview so you can get a taste of the course
Cons
- Some students complained of minor misspellings and errors
- Does not include hands-on exercises
Who it’s for: Best for beginners who want to learn the basics of freight brokering quickly.
Overall: This Udemy course is a concise and informative starting point to freight brokering that will help you grasp the essentials of the field and kickstart your career.
6. Freight Brokerage – How to Start Your Own Business (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: L.D. Sewell | Length: 37 lectures totaling 1 hour and 8 minutes
Starting a successful freight brokerage business can be a rewarding career. In this Udemy course, serial entrepreneur L.D. Sewell will show you the basics of the business side of things when it comes to freight brokering.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand the basics of what a freight broker does
- Comply with the requirements for starting your company
- Navigate funding options for your freight brokerage business
- Establish and maintain good partnerships with drivers and carriers
- Explore sources for where you can find additional information and tools
Pros
- Emphasizes realistic expectations on freight brokering, as it covers typical problems you may encounter and how to resolve them
- Full lifetime access to course materials
- 30-day money-back guarantee if you find yourself dissatisfied of the course
Cons
- Additional training is recommended as this course has a broader focus on entrepreneurship, rather than the daily activities of freight brokering
- Some learners may find it to be too general
- Limited additional materials to supplement your learning
Who it’s for: Ideal for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to get a basic idea of starting a business in freight brokering.
Overall: This class is packed with information on the fundamentals of starting a freight brokerage business. What I really appreciate about this course is that it doesn’t promise that this work is full of rainbows and gets real about what aspiring freight broker entrepreneurs
7. Freight Broker Course (LearnFreight)
Platform: LearnFreight | Length: 64 lessons totaling 5 hours
LearnFreight offers one of the most comprehensive courses on freight brokering out there, with ten sections covering the fundamentals of setting up your brokerage to booking your first load, marketing your business and finding clients.
You also have the option to purchase the extended version of their course for an additional 64 more content with in-depth explanations and resolving problems in your business.
You’ll learn:
- Legal and regulatory requirements for freight brokers
- The different parties involved in transportation, including brokers, agents, shippers, and more
- Sales and marketing strategies for your brokerage business
- Ways to build relationships with carriers
- How to negotiate rates, find, and book freight loads
Pros
- Comes with loads of downloadable materials, including broker license filling forms and samples of agreements and rate confirmations
- Provides support for learners to answer any questions
- Offers assistance and feedback for learners’ marketing plans and strategies
Cons
- While it offers a course outline, there’s no preview of video courses so you can check the quality
- No clear refund policy should you ever find yourself dissatisfies with the course
Who it’s for: Perfect for anyone committed to starting a freight brokerage business from scratch.
Overall: LearnFreight’s comprehensive course teaches you everything you need to know when starting your own freight brokerage.
8. Freight Broker Training by Freight 360 (YouTube)
Platform: YouTube | Length: 67+ videos at around 6-8 minutes per video
Freight 360 is a leading source of insights for many aspiring freight brokers, so it’s no surprise that another resource from them made it to this list.
Their YouTube channel offers tons and tons of free information on what it takes to succeed in this business, and their Freight Broker Training playlist presents a curated list of digestible videos that offer a wealth of information on succeeding as a freight broker.
You’ll learn:
- Different ways that freight brokers make money
- How to get your freight broker license
- Effective sales training tips and marketing strategies for your freight brokerage
- Tools of the trade and what freight brokers use to be more efficient
- Ways to find new shippers
- The back office roles in freight brokerage
Pros
- Loads of information on freight brokering that’s free to access
- Regular updates as Freight 360 continually uploads content
- Ability to ask questions through the comment section
- Allows you to read active discussions from other aspiring freight brokers
Cons
- Not as well-structured as conventional online courses
- Lumps beginner and intermediate content together
Who it’s for: Beginners and intermediates alike will benefit from the wealth of information that Freight 360 provides.
Overall: Freight 360 offers a goldmine of knowledge and insights to help you start and advance in your career as a freight broker.
9. How To Find Shippers (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Andre Erving | Length: 1 hour and 18 minutes
Finding shippers is one of the greatest pain points of beginner freight brokers, and this course focuses on alleviating that pain point so you can know where to start and advance in your career.
You’ll learn how to:
- Use different platforms you can use to find shippers
- Prospect potential partners
- Build your network in each state
Pros
- Concise and to the point
- 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re dissatisfied with the class
- Focuses on specific actionable steps
Cons
- Could've covered the topic on finding carriers as well
- Limited interaction with the instructor
Who it’s for: Ideal for aspiring or already-practicing freight brokers who want to learn the specific skill of finding shippers.
Overall: This class is a more focused explanation of a critical skill in freight brokering. With the right action plans, you can build your network of shippers in no time.
10. Freight Broker Customer Service (Udemy)
Platform: Udemy | Teacher: Eric Yeboah | Length: 2 hours and 12 minutes
Marketing expert Eric Yeboah will show you how to elevate your freight broker business to the next level with this Udemy program. It focuses on marketing within the freight brokering world.
You’ll learn:
- Essential KPIs to track for your freight broker business
- Strategies for attracting customers and gaining a competitive edge
- Best practices for customer satisfaction
- Managing your relationship with shippers and carriers
- The impact of digitization and how to leverage tech in freight brokering
Pros
- Specialized discussion focusing on marketing your freight broker business
- Lifetime access to course materials
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Lack of visual aid and subtitles
- Last updated in 2022
Who it’s for: Ideal for anyone who’s already working in the freight industry and wants to improve their customer service skills.
Overall: Whether you’re a newcomer who’s just started or a professional with some experience already under your belt, this Udemy course offers valuable guidance in customer service strategies for successfully running a freight brokerage business.
What are the advantages of taking a freight broker training course
- Avoid expensive mistakes: Not having a solid grasp of the fundamentals in freight brokering can cost you a huge amount of money, from misquoting rates to not managing shipments effectively. By teaching you the essential skills, online freight broker training courses can help you avoid costly delays and errors.
- Flexibility: An online freight broker training offers the opportunity to grasp the essentials at your own pace, so it’s perfect if you’re busy, have other commitments, or working in a different sector and planning your transition to the field.
- Affordability: Online freight broker training courses are less expensive than classroom-based programs without compromising quality education, so you can decide whether freight brokering is for you without breaking the bank.
Buyers guide: what to look out for
When it comes to selecting the best freight broker training course for you, here are a few things to keep in mind before making an investment:
- Reputation and instructor expertise: The best courses are taught by freight brokering experts who have real-world experience.
- Emphasis on actionable skills: Freight brokering requires practical experience to master, so look for courses that give you clear ideas of what steps you need to take to advance your career in this field.
- Course inclusions: Make sure to take a good look at the course outline whenever possible so you can get a good grasp if a course covers what you need to know and is tailored to your experience level.
You should also consider other factors such as student reviews, costs, and the extra resources provided.
How much does it cost?
The prices of the online courses on this list range from $20 to $1,200. Other courses can cost up to $2K, depending on the course provider, format, and course inclusions.
How long does it take to learn freight brokering?
Freight broker training courses can last from as little as a few hours to several weeks, depending on the curriculum. And applying for your freight broker license is another step that may take several more weeks.
But a lot of learning happens on the field when you finally land a role in freight brokering. And as they say, nothing beats experience. So use the the knowledge you gain from online courses to propel yourself forward and advance in your role.
Conclusion
After comparing the dozens of courses, weighing all the course offerings, and comparing different formats, I highly recommend Andre Erving’s Udemy course, “Freight Broker Training”.
It’s a packed introductory course with a practical and easy-to-follow presentation, taught by a founder of a leading brokerage services provider, so you have the opportunity to learn from someone with years and years of real-world experience under their belt.
But if you prefer a well-rounded learning experience where you can also get personalized feedback upon completing your course, Freight Broker Planet’s course entitled “Freight Broker Training – Platinum Plus” has a comprehensive outline that covers the hard and soft skills that will give you a solid foundation in freight brokering.
They also provide one-on-one coaching after you complete the course so you can receive feedback on your skills, knowledge, and any questions you might have.
Ultimately, the best course depends on your learning style and preferences.
Freight broker training courses frequently asked questions
The best freight broker training course is Andre Erving’s Udemy course, “Freight Broker Training”. It provides a simple and concise introduction to the know-how of freight brokering to equip you with the essential skills you need to succeed in the industry.
The price for a freight broker training course ranges from $20 to over $1K.
Freight broker training courses take between as little as five hours to a month. It all depends on the contents of the curriculum, intensity, and the format of the course.
Gail holds a degree in International Development and has a strong background in research and writing. Her work focuses on exploring topics related to development, including education.