The Document That Controls Your Paycheck
A rate confirmation is more than paperwork — it's the contract that determines how much you get paid, when you get paid, and what happens when things go wrong. Sign it without reading, and you've agreed to whatever the broker wrote — including terms that could cost you thousands.
Too many drivers glance at the rate, check the pickup time, and sign. They don't read the detention clause (or notice there isn't one), the payment terms, or the liability section. Then they sit at a shipper for 8 hours unpaid, or wait 60 days for a check, and wonder what happened.
This guide walks through every section of a rate confirmation so you know exactly what you're agreeing to. Every legitimate broker sends the rate con before you dispatch — if they ask you to start driving first, that's your first red flag.
Never haul without a signed rate confirmation. No rate con, no load. Period. Verbal agreements are worthless in a payment dispute. If a broker asks you to start driving before sending the rate confirmation, walk away. Protect yourself further with our double brokering protection guide.
Rate Confirmation Sections Decoded
Every rate confirmation contains these sections. Here's what to check in each one and why it matters for your bottom line.
| Section | What to Check | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Broker Information | Company name, MC#, contact, physical address | Verify legitimacy on FMCSA SAFER; needed for disputes |
| Carrier Information | Your MC#, DOT#, company name, contact | Ensure your info is correct — errors delay payment |
| Load Details | Weight, commodity, piece count, dimensions | Verify it matches what was discussed; overweight = your liability |
| Rate | Total rate, per-mile breakdown, fuel surcharge | Must match agreed amount to the penny |
| Pickup | Address, date, time window, reference number | Late arrival can void the load entirely |
| Delivery | Address, date, time window, appointment number | On-time delivery protects your carrier score |
| Payment Terms | Net-15, net-30, QuickPay options and fees | Anything beyond net-30 damages your cash flow |
| Detention & TONU | Hourly rate, free time, cancellation fee | Without these, you sit unpaid and eat dry runs |
| Special Instructions | Temperature, driver assist, tarping, lumper | Extra work should mean extra pay — get it in writing |
Signs of a Good Rate Confirmation
Rate Matches Verbal Agreement
The total rate matches what you agreed to on the phone — to the penny. No surprise deductions, no reduced fuel surcharge, no 'adjusted' per-mile rate buried in the fine print.
Detention Clause Included
Standard detention pay of $50-$75/hour kicks in after 2 hours of free time at pickup or delivery. This protects you from sitting unpaid while shippers take their time loading your trailer.
TONU Protection
A $150-$300 TONU fee is specified if the load cancels after you've dispatched. This covers your deadhead miles to the pickup location and the opportunity cost of turning down other loads.
Clear Payment Terms
Payment terms are net-30 or less with a clear QuickPay option (1-3% fee for payment within 2-5 days). The broker's remittance address and payment method are clearly stated.
8 Rate Confirmation Red Flags
Rate Is Lower Than Agreed
The oldest trick in the book. You agree to $2,800 on the phone and the rate con says $2,500. Never accept a lower rate — if a broker does this once, they'll do it every time.
No Detention Clause
Without a detention clause, you'll sit unpaid for hours at shippers and receivers. This is free labor. If the rate con doesn't include detention, request it before signing.
Payment Terms Beyond Net-30
Net-45 or net-60 payment terms destroy your cash flow. You're financing the broker's operation with your fuel and time. Push for net-15 or net-21 whenever possible.
Excessive Liability Language
Watch for clauses holding you responsible for full cargo value without limits, or indemnification clauses that make you liable for the broker's negligence. Standard cargo coverage is $100K.
No TONU Protection
Without TONU, you drive 200 miles to a pickup for nothing if the load cancels. A $150-$300 TONU fee is standard and any reputable broker includes it.
Exclusive Broker Language
Some rate cons include clauses preventing you from hauling for other brokers or requiring you to use only their loads. This restricts your business without compensation.
Vague Accessorial Terms
Who pays for lumper services? Driver assist? Layover? Tarping? If the rate con is vague about accessorial charges, you'll end up absorbing costs the broker should cover.
Missing Broker MC# or Contact Info
A legitimate broker has a verifiable MC number, office phone, company email, and physical address. Cell phone only, no MC#, or a Gmail address are signs of a potential double-brokered load.
What to Negotiate Before Signing
Detention pay. If the rate con doesn't include detention, ask for it. Standard is $50-$75/hour after 2 hours of free time at pickup or delivery. Learn more about protecting your time in our detention time guide.
TONU protection. Request a $150-$300 TONU fee if the load cancels after you've dispatched. This covers your deadhead miles to the pickup location and the opportunity cost of declining other loads.
Lumper reimbursement. If the delivery requires a lumper service, the rate con should specify that the broker reimburses or pays lumper fees directly. Don't eat $300+ in lumper costs on a $1,500 load.
Payment terms. Push for net-15 or net-21. If they insist on net-30, ask about QuickPay options. For more strategies, see our rate negotiation tips.
You can also verify broker credentials and check complaint history through FMCSA's SAFER System and OOIDA resources.
Key takeaway: A professional dispatch service reviews every rate confirmation before you haul. They check the rate against market data, verify broker legitimacy, ensure detention and TONU clauses are included, and flag unusual terms. This 5-minute review can save you thousands in disputes and unpaid work.
Double Brokering Warning Signs on Rate Cons
Double brokering — when a broker re-brokers your load without the shipper's knowledge — is a growing problem. Rate confirmations often contain clues. If the broker MC doesn't match who you spoke with, verify it on FMCSA's SAFER System before signing.
If the rate seems 20-30% above market for that lane, someone in the middle might be inflating it to cover their cut — and you might never get paid. Contact info that's only a cell phone, with no office number or company email domain, is another warning sign.
For comprehensive protection strategies, read our double brokering protection guide. If you're dealing with non-payment, see broker not paying carrier.
Related Resources
- Double Brokering Protection — How to verify brokers and avoid scams
- Rate Negotiation Tips — Get paid what your truck is worth
- Detention Time Not Paid — Strategies to collect every dollar you're owed
- Broker Not Paying Carrier — Legal options when brokers don't pay
Truck Dispatch Experts
Published Mar 9, 2026