Carrier vs. Driver in Load Manager
[Audience: All TMS Types]
Load Manager uses either carriers or drivers depending on the type of TMS account your company has. The terms are related, but they are not interchangeable. A freight broker or dispatch service usually works with outside carriers. A carrier or trucking company usually works with its own drivers.
Freight Broker Accounts
Freight broker accounts use the Carrier tab to store the outside motor carriers they hire to move loads.
- Use the Carrier tab to enter and manage carrier profiles.
- If you need to track the carrier's driver, enter that driver as a contact or driver detail for the carrier.
- On the load screen, select the carrier that is assigned to the load.
- Freight broker accounts use a Rate Confirmation, also called the carrier report, for the carrier on the load.
Dispatch Service Accounts
Dispatch service accounts also use the Carrier tab because the dispatch service is working on behalf of outside carriers.
- Use the Carrier tab to enter and manage the carriers you dispatch for.
- If you need to track the carrier's driver, enter that driver as a contact or driver detail for the carrier.
- On the load screen, select the carrier that is assigned to the load.
- Dispatch service accounts use a Dispatch Report, not a Rate Confirmation, for the carrier on the load.
- Dispatch service accounts may also be set up to charge a dispatch service fee.
Carrier or Trucking Company Accounts
Carrier and trucking company accounts use the Driver tab instead of the Carrier tab. This is because your company is the carrier, so you do not need a separate carrier profile for yourself.
- Use the Driver tab to enter and manage your company drivers.
- On the load screen, select the driver assigned to the load in the same general area where broker and dispatch accounts select a carrier.
- Use the driver fields for driver name, driver cell, truck number, trailer number, equipment, and other driver/load details.
- Carrier and trucking company accounts use Dispatch Reports for drivers, not Rate Confirmations.
Why Your Account May Look Different
The tab you see depends on your TMS setup. If your company is set up as a freight broker or dispatch service, you should expect to see and use carriers. If your company is set up as a carrier or trucking company, you should expect to see and use drivers.
Some accounts may support both carrier and driver workflows. In those accounts, the load screen may show options such as Both, Carrier, or Driver. Choose the option that matches who is actually moving the load.
Which One Should I Choose on a Load?
- Choose Carrier when an outside carrier or owner-operator is moving the load under their own authority.
- Choose Driver when one of your company drivers is moving the load under your company's authority.
- If you are a dispatch service, choose the carrier you are dispatching for, then use the carrier contact or driver details for the actual driver information.
If the Wrong Tab Is Showing
If your account shows a Carrier tab when you expected Driver, or a Driver tab when you expected Carrier, your TMS type or setup may need to be reviewed. Contact Load Manager support and include your company code, what tab you expected to see, and whether your company operates as a freight broker, dispatch service, or carrier/trucking company.
Related Articles