Why Is It Hard to Get Loads With a New MC Number?

One of the biggest challenges new carriers face is lack of operating history.

Many brokers evaluate carriers based on factors such as:

• Authority status
• Insurance
• Safety information
• Equipment
• Operating history
• Communication
• Previous performance

A carrier with a brand-new authority may not have much history for a broker to evaluate.

Some brokers may have minimum authority-age requirements.

Others may be willing to work with newer carriers if they meet their qualification requirements.

That means your strategy should be focused on finding brokers and freight sources that are open to working with new carriers.

1. Get Your Carrier Profile Ready

Before searching for loads, make sure your business is prepared.

Have your important information organized.

This may include:

• Legal company name
• MC number
• USDOT number
• Phone number
• Email address
• Certificate of insurance
• Equipment information
• Service area
• W-9
• Carrier agreement information
• Payment information

When a broker asks for documents, you want to be able to respond quickly.

A carrier who takes two days to provide documents can easily lose a load to another operator.

2. Know Your Box Truck

Brokers need to know exactly what your equipment can handle.

Be prepared to provide:

• Truck length
• Interior dimensions
• Payload capacity
• Door dimensions
• Liftgate availability
• Pallet jack availability
• Dock-height capability

For example:

26-foot box truck
10,000-lb payload
Liftgate
Pallet jack
Available for local and regional freight

This is much more useful than simply saying:

“I have a box truck.”

3. Start With the Right Load Boards

Load boards can be one of the fastest ways to identify available freight.

But don’t limit yourself to one platform.

Consider using a combination of:

• Traditional load boards
• Specialized freight marketplaces
• Broker networks
• Direct shipper relationships
• Local freight opportunities

For box truck operators, specialized platforms can be particularly useful because you can focus on freight that actually matches your equipment.

Boxaloo, for example, focuses on freight opportunities involving:

• Box trucks
• Cargo vans
• Sprinter vans
• Hotshot carriers

Brokers can post freight, while carriers can search for opportunities matching their equipment and market.

The platform also provides direct messaging between brokers and carriers.

4. Look for Brokers That Work With New Authorities

Don’t waste all of your time applying to brokers that automatically reject carriers with new MC numbers.

Instead, identify brokers that are willing to consider newer authorities.

When contacting a broker, be transparent.

For example:

“We’re a newly authorized carrier operating a 26-foot box truck in the Atlanta market. Our insurance and carrier documents are current, and we’re looking for local and regional freight opportunities.”

Professionalism matters.

You don’t need to apologize for having a new MC number.

You need to demonstrate that you’re prepared to operate professionally.

5. Build Relationships With Smaller Brokers

Large national brokerages may have strict carrier qualification requirements.

Smaller and regional brokerages may sometimes provide more opportunities for relationship-building.

Look for brokers specializing in:

• Box truck freight
• Expedited freight
• LTL
• Local delivery
• Regional freight
• Final-mile transportation

Once you find a broker that works well with your equipment and market, focus on building the relationship.

6. Search for Local Freight

New carriers often make the mistake of immediately searching for long-distance freight.

You don’t necessarily need to start there.

Local and regional freight can be a great way to build operating experience.

Look around your market for:

• Warehouses
• Distribution centers
• Manufacturers
• Retailers
• Construction suppliers
• Medical suppliers
• E-commerce businesses

A local load that keeps you close to home may also reduce:

• Fuel costs
• Deadhead
• Overnight expenses
• Driver fatigue

7. Build a Broker Contact List

Don’t rely on memory.

Create a database of brokers you contact.

Track:

This allows you to follow up systematically.

8. Follow Up With Brokers

One email isn’t enough.

Brokers are busy.

Your message may get buried.

Follow up professionally.

For example:

Hi John, just following up regarding box truck capacity in the Dallas area. We have a 26-foot box truck available for local and regional freight. Please keep us in mind for any upcoming opportunities.

You’re not begging for a load.

You’re reminding the broker that you have capacity.

9. Make Yourself Easy to Reach

When you’re trying to establish yourself as a new carrier, responsiveness matters.

If a broker calls and you don’t answer, they may simply move to another carrier.

Make sure your:

• Phone is monitored
• Voicemail is professional
• Email is checked regularly
• Documents are readily available

Fast communication can become a competitive advantage.

10. Don’t Compete Only on Price

New carriers sometimes make the mistake of accepting extremely low rates simply because they want to establish operating history.

Be careful.

You still have:

• Fuel costs
• Insurance
• Maintenance
• Tires
• Truck payments
• Registration
• Taxes
• Other operating expenses

A load that loses money doesn’t become profitable just because it gives you experience.

Instead, look for freight that makes reasonable financial sense.

11. Calculate Your True Cost Before Booking

Before accepting a load, calculate:

Loaded miles + deadhead miles

Then consider:

• Fuel
• Tolls
• Driver time
• Waiting
• Loading
• Unloading
• Return trip

For example:

A load pays $600.

But you drive:

100 miles deadhead

200 loaded miles

=

300 total miles.

Your actual rate is:

$600 ÷ 300 = $2.00 per total mile

That is very different from evaluating the load based only on its 200 loaded miles.

12. Don’t Ignore Deadhead

Deadhead can destroy your margins.

Suppose you’re located 20 miles from pickup.

That’s attractive.

But another load may require 150 miles of empty driving before pickup.

Even if the second load pays more, the first may be more profitable.

Always evaluate the entire trip.

13. Look for Loads That Build Your Network

Your first loads aren’t just about revenue.

They’re also opportunities to develop relationships.

A successful load can lead to:

• Repeat business
• Better broker relationships
• Preferred-carrier opportunities
• Dedicated lanes
• Referrals

Treat every load as an opportunity to demonstrate that you’re reliable.

14. Communicate Like an Established Carrier

Your MC number may be new.

Your professionalism doesn’t have to be.

When communicating with brokers:

Before Pickup

Confirm the appointment and location.

At Pickup

Send your arrival and pickup status.

In Transit

Provide updates when appropriate.

At Delivery

Confirm delivery and submit documentation promptly.

This helps create a track record that can eventually become more valuable than the age of your authority.

15. Build a Carrier Packet

A professional carrier packet can make the onboarding process easier.

Consider having a folder containing:

• W-9
• Certificate of insurance
• Authority information
• USDOT information
• Equipment information
• Contact information
• Payment details
• Standard company information

When a broker asks for documents, you can send everything quickly.

16. Target Freight That Fits Box Trucks

Don’t try to compete for every shipment.

Box trucks are particularly useful for freight that doesn’t require a tractor-trailer.

Examples include:

• Palletized freight
• Retail shipments
• Local distribution
• Expedited freight
• Warehouse transfers
• Small commercial deliveries
• E-commerce freight

Focus on the freight your equipment is designed to handle.

17. Consider Expedited Freight

Expedited freight can provide opportunities for smaller equipment.

Businesses may need shipments moved quickly because of:

• Production delays
• Missed deliveries
• Emergency parts
• Retail shortages
• Time-sensitive customer orders

If your equipment and operating setup are appropriate, expedited freight can be another market worth exploring.

18. Build a Reputation Quickly

With a new MC number, every load matters.

Your goal should be to build a reputation for:

On-time service

Clear communication

Accurate documentation

Professional behavior

Reliable equipment

A broker who has a positive experience with you may be more willing to use you again.

19. Don’t Ignore Direct Shippers

Brokers aren’t the only source of freight.

Eventually, you should consider developing direct shipper relationships.

Potential customers include:

• Manufacturers
• Distributors
• Retailers
• Wholesalers
• Construction companies
• Local businesses

A direct customer can potentially provide recurring freight without requiring you to compete for individual loads.

20. Use Boxaloo to Expand Your Freight Sources

New carriers need visibility.

The more relevant freight opportunities you can evaluate, the better your chances of finding loads that fit your equipment and operating area.

Boxaloo connects brokers with carriers operating:

• Box trucks
• Cargo vans
• Sprinter vans
• Hotshots

For brokers, the platform provides another way to reach specialized carrier capacity.

For carriers, it provides another source of freight opportunities.

Direct messaging also allows carriers and brokers to communicate within the platform.

Find box truck freight on Boxaloo

Common Mistakes New MC Carriers Should Avoid

Taking Every Load

Desperation can lead to unprofitable freight.

Accepting Extremely Low Rates

Don’t destroy your margins just to get experience.

Ignoring Deadhead

Always calculate total miles.

Failing to Follow Up

Brokers may not remember you after one conversation.

Not Having Documents Ready

Slow onboarding can cost you opportunities.

Poor Communication

A new carrier needs to establish trust quickly.

Depending on One Load Board

Diversify your freight sources.

A Simple Strategy for Your First 30 Days

If your MC number is new, create a structured plan.

Week 1: Get Organized

Prepare:

• Carrier packet
• Insurance documentation
• Equipment information
• Professional email
• Business phone

Week 2: Build Your Broker List

Identify brokers handling freight in your target markets.

Contact them consistently.

Week 3: Expand Freight Sources

Use:

• Load boards
• Boxaloo
• Broker relationships
• Local businesses
• 3PLs

Week 4: Focus on Repeat Opportunities

Review the loads you’ve completed.

Ask:

• Which brokers were easiest to work with?
• Which lanes were profitable?
• Where did you have excessive deadhead?
• Which freight types worked best?

Then double down on what’s working.

Final Thoughts

Getting your MC number is only the beginning.

The real challenge is building a reliable freight operation.

If you’re a new box truck carrier, focus on:

• Getting your documents organized
• Finding brokers willing to work with new carriers
• Using multiple freight sources
• Building relationships
• Communicating professionally
• Understanding your operating costs
• Avoiding unprofitable freight
• Turning successful loads into repeat business

You don’t need thousands of loads to build a successful operation.

You need the right loads and the right relationships.

Your MC number may be new, but you can start building your reputation from your very first shipment.

Find the freight. Deliver it professionally. Build the relationship. Then turn one load into many.