Truck Dispatcher Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Truck Dispatcher facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A dispatcher wants to reduce empty miles between loads. Which technology tool BEST supports this goal? → Load board and freight matching platform
2. A driver reports a suspected cargo theft during a 30-minute break at a truck stop. What is the first and most crucial instruction for the driver? → Do not touch anything, secure the vehicle, and call the local police to file a report.
3. The I-81 corridor through Virginia and Pennsylvania is known as a major truck route because it: → Parallels I-95 and offers an alternative avoiding East Coast congestion
4. Under FMCSA rules, when is a carrier required to conduct a random drug test on a driver? → At a minimum annual rate set by FMCSA (currently 50% of drivers for drugs)
5. Which negotiation phrase is most effective when a broker won't budge on rate? → 'What would it take to make this work for both of us?'
6. When a cross-border shipment is traveling in-bond through the US (not entering commerce), which document authorizes this movement? → CBP Form 7512 (Transportation Entry)
7. How long does a carrier have to pay, deny, or make a settlement offer on a cargo claim under federal regulations? → 180 days
8. Under 49 CFR 382.401, how long must a carrier retain records of a random drug test that returned a negative result? → 1 year
9. What is the standard maximum legal width for commercial trucks on US highways without a permit? → 102 inches (8.5 feet)
10. A dispatcher is planning loads for a team driving operation. What is the maximum number of hours either driver in a team may drive within a 24-hour period? → 11 hours each, individually capped at 11
11. Under 49 CFR Part 376 (Leasing Regulations), what must be displayed on a leased CMV while it is being operated? → The authorized carrier's name and USDOT number
12. What documentation is essential to support a high-value cargo claim? → Commercial invoice, BOL, delivery receipt with exceptions, and photos of damage
13. What is the purpose of the 'yard move' (YM) special driving category on an ELD? → To record movement of a CMV within a private facility such as a terminal or yard
14. A load is picked up in Memphis, TN and must be delivered to Kansas City, MO. Which interstate is the most direct route? → I-44
15. When a broker says 'this is a hot load, we need it moved now,' a savvy dispatcher should: → Recognize urgency as leverage and negotiate a higher rate
16. What does the term 'intermodal' mean in the context of freight transportation compliance? → Moving cargo using two or more modes of transport under a single contract
17. Which software feature allows a dispatcher to see ALL active trucks on a single map view in real time? → Fleet tracking dashboard
18. On a freight invoice, what does the abbreviation 'COD' mean? → Cash On Delivery
19. Which of the following is NOT a required element of a Driver Qualification File (DQF) under 49 CFR 391.51? → Driver's personal federal tax returns
20. A carrier delivers freight and the consignee notes visible damage on the delivery receipt. What type of notation is this called? → Exception notation
21. Which of the following is NOT typically a core dispatcher responsibility? → Physically loading freight onto trailers
22. Which of the following is a dispatcher's responsibility under the FMCSA co-conspirator regulations? → Avoiding scheduling loads that would force drivers to violate HOS rules
23. What is the primary purpose of load sequencing in a multi-stop delivery route? → To ensure freight is loaded in reverse order of delivery stops
24. What is the maximum legal height for a loaded commercial truck on most US highways? → 13 feet 6 inches
25. What is the purpose of 'landing gear' on a semi-trailer? → Retractable legs that support the trailer when uncoupled from the tractor
26. Which document must be included in a driver’s qualification file to comply with FMCSA regulations? → Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
27. How is the 'fleet utilization rate' typically calculated? → Trucks with active loads divided by total available trucks times 100
28. Which of the following events requires a motor carrier to file an MCS-150 update with FMCSA within 30 days? → Change in the carrier's principal place of business address
29. What does the term 'cubing out' mean in freight load planning? → The load fills the trailer's cubic volume before reaching its weight limit
30. Which KPI best measures how efficiently a fleet uses its available truck capacity on a per-load basis? → Load factor (payload utilization)