How to Become a Truck Dispatcher – Ultimate Dispatcher Training Guide

Honestly, I had never really heard of truck driving as a career path until after the global lockdowns of 2020-2022.

A large number of people I knew began talking about it. And whats not to love. You can drive and see the country, drivers are in high demand, and pay is spectacular.

But what if you dont particularly like the idea of being on the road away from family for long periods of time? Then you may be interested in how to become a truck dispatcher instead.

In this full guide, we will clarify the key steps and requirements to enter this important logistics role. You’ll learn about necessary education, essential skills, and career prospects, so you can determine if this path is right for you.

What Does a Truck Dispatcher Do?

A truck dispatcher’s main job is to act as a liaison between truck drivers and clients so that cargo loads are delivered in a smooth manner. Their responsibilities include:

• Organizing and optimizing transport routes to guarantee timely and efficient transportation of goods.
• Maintaining detailed digital records of shipments, truck driver hours, and schedules.
• Keeping compliance with regulatory requirements.

Overall, the logistics industry could not function properly or efficiently without truck dispatchers.

To be successful in this role, you must have good communication. Truck dispatchers usually have to:

• Possess excellent communication skills to manage interactions effectively between drivers and clients.
• Review drivers’ logs and track hours to ensure compliance and efficiency.
• Manage anywhere from one to fifteen trucks, depending on the size of the trucking company and the scope of operations.

If a truck dispatcher is skilled enough, they can significantly influence the success of deliveries and impact downstream businesses. Their ability to resolve freight issues, optimize routes, and maintain effective communication can make or break the efficiency of an entire supply chain management process.

Truthfully, the role is demanding and requires strong multitasking and problem-solving skills. But if you thrive in that kind of environment, it can be incredibly rewarding, with possibilities of gaining more leadership and experience depending on the volume of freight moved at your company.

You may also consider being a freight dispatcher or freight broker, which play a role in supply chain operations as well.

What are the Educational Requirements?

To become a truck dispatcher, you need:

• At least a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification.
• A solid background in the trucking industry to increase attractiveness to potential employers.
• Experience in related fields such as freight hauling or shipping to enhance your candidacy.

Online Truck Dispatcher Training Courses

To standout from your competition in the job market, taking an online truck dispatcher course to gain some knowledge and skills is a good idea, especially if you don’t already have experience. Online courses are advantageous because:

• Are convenient and cost-effective, often costing less than $100, up to $200.
• Provide a flexible learning environment, allowing you to study at your own pace
• Cover essential topics like dispatching software, freight transportation, and mapping transport routes

There are also in class training programs that offer valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of a truck dispatcher.

Here are a few courses with good reviews worth evaluating:

1. USA Truck Dispatcher Full Course – Udemy: great for newbies who want something budget friendly and structured
2. Dispatcher 101 – Exodus Logistics: Works if you are changing your career, and want coaching, networking, and a recognized certificate
3. Truck Dispatcher Training Course – Trucking Academy: Great if this is a side gig, and you need just the skills

Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degrees

While a high school diploma is the minimum requirement, if you work on an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field, this can give you a competitive edge. Degrees that are beneficial are:

• Logistics
• Business
• Communication
• Management

In general, these degrees provide a more comprehensive understanding of supply chain management, organizational skills, and strategic planning, all of which lend themselves to a higher chance of successful truck dispatching.

This also gets employers attention. Candidates with higher education in related fields demonstrate a commitment to the field and makes them less of a risk to hiring and training.

Now if you have the higher education, great. But if you don’t, find other ways to highlight your relevant skills. Once you start truck dispatching, consider going back to school then.

How to Get Truck Dispatcher Experience

Most employers will prefer you have a strong transportation industry background, so experience is important.

Entry Level Positions

The advantage of entry-level jobs is that it allows you to grasp fundamental dispatching principles while receiving direct supervision and training. These roles provide a solid foundation for your career and help you understand the day-to-day operations of truck dispatching.

For example:

• Shipping and receiving clerk at a warehouse or cross dock – where you check frieght in and out and print BOL’s
• Dock coordinator / yard hostler helper at LTL terminals
• Fleet operations assistant – where you update ETA’s and call shippers
• Transportation customer service rep – where you answer calls about truck status and location
• ELD / Telematics data entry clerk at tech vendors

Internships

Internships are also a great way to gain experience and network within the trucking industry. They offer hands-on training and can lead to more job openings by connecting you with potential employers.

For example, you could intern to shadow night shift dispatchers. You will network with the off peak team that could use the help while getting crisis management experience.

Because the trucking industry is growing and demand for dispatchers is increasing, there is plenty of opportunities to gain experience. More experience will help you develop management and organizational skills that you need for handling multiple responsibilities and advancing your career.

Developing Essential Skills

As we mentioned earlier, to be successful, dispatchers must have several skills to effectively coordinate between drivers, clients, and suppliers.

Technical Skills and Dispatch Software Proficiency

Modern truck dispatchers have to be a bit tech savvy. This includes mastering the use of dispatching software. These tools enhance communication and allow for real-time tracking of deliveries, which makes operations more efficient.

For example, you may be required and trained by your employer to understanding geographic information systems (GIS) which aid in planning optimal routes.

Dispatchers also have to stay connected with drivers and clients, so they must be comfortable using telecommunications technology like:

• Voice / Push-to-Talk radios
• Cellular / Cloud Voice platforms
• ELD / Telematics in-cab messaging
• Dispatch/TMS portals & built-in chat
• Unified messaging hubs like Venderflow
• EDI & modern APIs
• Mobile scanning & doc apps like Super Dispatch

Interpersonal and Communication Skills

Communication is not only important in your personal life, but also as a dispatcher conveying messages to all relevant stakeholders. Good communication skills will help you resolve conflicts, coordinate schedules, and help get everyone involved on the same page. Overtime this will culminate into a strong trust and effective relationship with drivers and clients.

Interpersonal skills are the secret ingredient to successful dispatching. By connecting with people and understanding their needs through phone calls or written communications, you make a huge impact on the feel of the work environment and on the logistics of the operation.

How Much is a Truck Dispatcher Salary?

The average salary of a truck dispatcher in the United States is approximately $52,710, with a pay range between $24,000 and $65,000 annually. Factors that can affect salaries include:

• Company size and scope of fleet – larger firms pay more since they move more
• Employee responsibilities – nights, weekend calls earn extra premium
• Experience level – experienced high volume dispatchers can earn $10k plus more
• Regional cost of living

As the demand for truck dispatchers increase, salaries may rise to attract qualified applicants. There is also potential for advancing up in the truck dispatcher role, which means more opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

Use these salary expectations to help you negotiate better compensation and plan your career path.

Licensing and Certification

While truck dispatchers in the U.S. typically do not need a formal license, specific companies may have their own business truck dispatcher license requirements. If you do get a truck dispatcher certification, it can only enhance your credentials and job prospects, in what is already a competitive field.

For example, you may consider grabbing the:

• FMCSA Motor Carrier Safety & Compliance
• NATMI CDS certification
• NDFCA National Freight Dispatcher Certification

This shows you understand Hours-of-Service, driver qualification files, and safety scoring.

If you plan to start your own dispatching business, you might need a permit from the operating authority.

Work Environment and Career Path

Truck dispatchers typically work in corporate offices or can work remotely, depending on the company. However, immediate work-from-home opportunities usually require proven experience.

Networking within the trucking industry can get you access to job openings and career advancement opportunities in the truck dispatching business, especially for an independent truck dispatcher.

Many trucking companies offer additional benefits like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off along with salaries.

How Does Time Tracking Software Help?

As we mentioned, part of the main duties of a truck dispatcher is to coordinate between drivers and vendors and maintain digital records of shipments, truck driver hours and schedules. A good time tracking software can help your dispatcher with these tasks and therefore the whole team operate far more efficiently.

If you run your own dispatch business or fleet of company vehicles, you want to find a time tracker solution that can offer:

• Built-in scheduling features
• GPS location tracking
• Secure chat and messaging
• Integrations with current truck dispatch software and tools
• Real-time tracking of vehicles and loads, and up to the moment status of jobs and vehicles notifications and alerts
• One-tap mobile time capture
• Clean payroll exports
• User-friendly interface for dispatchers

A few examples in the market are Samsara, Motive, and Geotab. These software give dispatchers exactly the operational clarity they need while keeping on top of compliance and payroll.

But you might consider other workforce management software like Connecteam or Deputy which can be adaptable to trucking very user friendly.

Final Thoughts

If you want to become a truck dispatcher, you need a combination of education, experience, and skill development. From understanding the role and educational requirements to gaining industry experience and developing essential skills, each step helps build a successful career in truck dispatching. As the demand for truck dispatchers continues to grow, so will the opportunities for career advancement and higher salaries.

We hope the steps in this guide help you position yourself as a knowledgeable and capable candidate in the trucking industry. Take steps now to start your journey and before you know it, you will be running your own fleet and managing shipments across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions