Carrier setup
Broker Carrier Setup: Packets, Requirements and How to Get Started
Before a broker will book you, you set up with them: authority, insurance, a contract and often a packet. Each broker publishes its own list, so we collect the ones carriers look for most and date every page against the broker's own site.
Carrier setup guides
- TQL carrier setupMC or USDOT, $1M auto liability, $100K cargo, an online contract and about 48 hours to approve.Verified October 22, 2026Read the guide
- Landstar carrier setupOperator minimums, equipment and insurance for independent business owners. Landstar has no standard packet.Verified October 22, 2026Read the guide
Carrier setup FAQ
What is a broker carrier packet?
A set of onboarding documents and forms a broker collects from a carrier before it books freight with them. What it contains is the broker's choice, which is why each guide here follows that broker's own published list.
What do brokers usually ask for?
Most ask for proof of operating authority and insurance, and a signed contract. Limits and extra forms differ by broker, so check the guide for the one you are setting up with.
How current are these guides?
Every guide shows the date we last checked the broker's own pages. Brokers change their requirements, so confirm against the source linked on the page before you submit.
Is this the same as checking whether a broker is legitimate?
No. Setup is about getting approved to haul for a broker. To check a broker's authority and bond first, use the free freight broker verification tool.