Truck Dispatcher Freight Billing, Invoicing, and Collections

Question 1

After delivering a load, what documents must the carrier or dispatcher typically submit to the broker or shipper to initiate payment?

Accepted Answer

An invoice together with the signed Proof of Delivery (POD) and/or Bill of Lading

Answer

The original rate confirmation only

Answer

A CSA score report and carrier safety rating

Answer

The driver's hours-of-service log only

Question 2

What is freight factoring?

Accepted Answer

A financial service where a third party purchases the carrier's unpaid invoices at a discount in exchange for immediate cash

Answer

A method for calculating optimal pallet counts per trailer load

Answer

A cargo insurance policy type specific to temperature-controlled freight

Answer

A load board feature that matches available freight to available capacity

Question 3

A broker's payment terms state 'Net 30.' What does this mean for the carrier?

Accepted Answer

The carrier will receive payment 30 days after submitting a complete invoice with required documentation

Answer

Payment is due within 30 minutes of delivery confirmation

Answer

The carrier must pay the broker a 30-day lane reservation fee

Answer

The load must be delivered within 30 days of the original pickup date

Question 4

A driver was held at a shipper's facility for 4 hours beyond the agreed free time of 2 hours. Which accessorial charge should appear on the carrier's invoice to the broker?

Accepted Answer

Detention charge

Answer

Fuel surcharge

Answer

Layover pay

Answer

Deadhead fee

Question 5

An invoice to a broker is 45 days past due with no payment. What is the correct escalation sequence?

Accepted Answer

Send a courtesy reminder, then a formal written demand, then consider a collections agency or an FMCSA bond claim

Answer

File a lawsuit immediately without any prior contact

Answer

Accept the loss and write it off — brokers cannot be compelled to pay

Answer

Report the broker only to the Better Business Bureau and wait

Question 6

What is a 'Quick Pay' program in freight billing, and what is its trade-off?

Accepted Answer

A broker program that pays carriers within 1–3 days instead of Net 30, in exchange for a percentage fee deducted from the invoice

Answer

A GPS tool that automatically confirms delivery and triggers invoice generation — no trade-off

Answer

A factoring company service that only applies to loads over $10,000

Answer

A load board feature that posts freight in under one minute — no fee applies