Truck Dispatcher Core Responsibilities 4

Question 1

What does 'lumper service' refer to in freight dispatch?

Accepted Answer

Third-party labor hired to load or unload freight at a facility

Answer

Lumper services provide hourly dock workers for loading/unloading, and dispatchers often need to authorize and arrange payment for them.

Question 2

When building a driver's schedule for the week, what must a dispatcher verify first?

Accepted Answer

Driver's available HOS hours, current location, and any mandatory reset periods

Answer

HOS hours, location, and reset status determine whether a driver is legally available before any load assignment is made.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT typically a core dispatcher responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Physically loading freight onto trailers

Answer

Physical loading is performed by dock workers or drivers; dispatchers handle coordination, communication, and administrative tasks.

Question 4

A load requires a driver with a Hazmat endorsement. The only available driver lacks this certification. What should the dispatcher do?

Accepted Answer

Decline the load or source a qualified driver from another carrier

Answer

Dispatching an unqualified driver for hazmat loads violates federal law; the dispatcher must find a certified driver or decline the load.

Question 5

What is the purpose of an ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) in dispatch operations?

Accepted Answer

It gives shippers, receivers, and carriers a reference point to manage expectations and resources

Answer

ETAs are operational estimates used to align planning across all parties, though they are not legal guarantees.

Truck Dispatcher Practice Test