What a car hauler load board is and how it connects you to freight
A car hauler load board is a digital marketplace where trucking companies and independent car haulers post available loads — shipments of vehicles that need to be transported from one location to another. You search the board, find loads that match your route and truck capacity, and contact the company posting the load to negotiate terms and confirm the job.
Load boards exist because car hauling companies need drivers, and drivers need to know where freight is available without calling dozens of brokers. Instead of waiting for dispatch to assign you work, you log into the board, see what's posted in real time, and choose which loads interest you. Some boards charge a subscription fee; others are free but take a small cut when you book a load.
The board itself does not hire you or may provide work. It is a listing service — like a classified ads section for freight. You remain responsible for vetting the company, confirming payment terms, and ensuring the load meets your truck's specifications and your schedule.
Key Takeaways
- Load boards show available car hauling jobs posted by trucking companies, brokers, and shippers, letting you search by origin, destination, and vehicle type instead of waiting for dispatch.
- Most boards charge a monthly subscription ($50 to $200, depending on the platform) or take a commission when you book, though some offer free access with limited features.
- You contact the poster directly to negotiate rate, confirm pickup and delivery dates, and verify they have proper insurance and licensing before accepting the load.
- Load boards do not vet companies for you — you are responsible for checking references, confirming payment method, and protecting yourself from scams or low-ball offers.
- The largest boards for car haulers include DAT, Truckstop, and Convoy, though regional boards and Facebook groups also post loads in some areas.
The major load boards used by car haulers
DAT is the largest load board in North America and includes a dedicated car hauler section. You can filter by vehicle type (enclosed, open deck, flatbed), number of cars, origin and destination, and posting date. DAT charges a monthly subscription, currently around $100 to $150 depending on your subscription tier.
Truckstop operates similarly and also serves car haulers. It offers a free basic version with limited search filters and a paid version with more detailed load information and the ability to post your own availability. Truckstop's paid plans start around $60 per month.
Convoy is a mobile-first load board that connects drivers directly to shippers. It charges no subscription but takes a commission (typically 5 to 10 percent) from the load rate when you book. Convoy is popular with owner-operators because there is no upfront cost, though the commission reduces your per-load earnings.
Regional and niche boards also exist — some specific to certain states or regions, others run by individual trucking companies for their network. Facebook groups dedicated to car hauling also post loads, though these are less formal and require more vetting on your part.
How to search for and evaluate loads on a board
Once you create an account and log in, you will see a search interface where you enter your starting point, destination, and any preferences (vehicle type, number of cars, date range). The board returns matching loads sorted by posting date, rate, or distance.
Each load listing includes the shipper or broker's name, pickup location and date, delivery location and date, number and type of vehicles, the offered rate, and contact information. Some boards show the company's rating or review history; others do not. Read the full listing carefully — missing details often mean you need to call and ask.
Before you contact the poster, check whether the rate covers your fuel, wear, and time. A load that pays $800 to haul four cars 600 miles may sound reasonable until you calculate your actual cost per mile. Also verify the pickup and delivery windows are realistic for your truck and schedule — a load that requires pickup in 12 hours may not be feasible if you are currently 400 miles away.
Look for red flags: rates that are significantly lower than similar loads on the same board, companies with no verifiable history, or posters who pressure you to commit before you have asked questions. Scams do occur on load boards, usually in the form of advance payment requests or rates that seem too good to be true.
Contacting the company and confirming the load details
When you find a load you are interested in, you contact the poster — usually by phone, email, or through the board's messaging system. Introduce yourself, confirm you have the right truck type and capacity, and ask for details the listing did not include: exact pickup address and time window, exact delivery address and time window, shipper contact information, and any special handling requirements.
Ask how payment works: do they pay by check, ACH transfer, or credit card? When do they pay — upon delivery, within 48 hours, or net 30? Do they require a signed contract or load confirmation? If they ask for money upfront (for fuel, tolls, or any other reason), that is a warning sign — legitimate shippers do not ask drivers to front money.
Confirm the company's authority to haul. Ask for their DOT number and verify it on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) website. Check their insurance status and ask for proof of cargo insurance if you are hauling high-value vehicles. A legitimate company will have this information ready.
Once you have confirmed the details and agreed on a rate, ask for a written confirmation — an email or load confirmation number that includes the pickup and delivery addresses, dates, rate, and any special instructions. This protects you if there is a dispute later.
Subscription costs and commission structures
Load board pricing varies widely. DAT and Truckstop charge monthly subscriptions ranging from $50 to $200 depending on which features you need and how many searches you want to run per day. Some boards offer annual plans at a discount if you pay upfront.
Convoy and a few other boards charge no subscription but take a commission when you book a load — typically 5 to 10 percent of the load rate. This means you only pay when you actually get work, which appeals to drivers with inconsistent schedules. The trade-off is that your per-load earnings are lower.
Some companies run their own internal load boards for their contracted drivers and do not charge a fee — the cost is built into the rate they offer. If you are considering signing on with a trucking company, ask whether they have a load board and whether you can search for loads independently or must take what dispatch assigns.
Calculate which model makes sense for your situation. If you run 20 loads per month at an average rate of $1,200 and Convoy takes 8 percent, you lose $1,920 per month. A $100 DAT subscription might be cheaper. But if you run only 5 loads per month, the subscription is not worth it and Convoy's commission model saves you money.
Protecting yourself from scams and unreliable posters
Not every load posted on a board is legitimate. Some are posted by brokers or shippers with poor payment history; others are scams designed to collect upfront fees or personal information. Before you commit to a load, do basic due diligence.
Search the company name on the Better Business Bureau website and on trucking forums like TruckersReport or the subreddit r/Truckers. Ask other drivers if they have hauled for this company and what their experience was. A company with multiple complaints about late payment or low-ball rate changes is a risk.
Verify the DOT number on the FMCSA website (fmcsa.dot.gov). Check the company's safety rating, number of vehicles, and whether they have any open violations or out-of-service orders. A company with a poor safety record or recent violations may be cutting corners in other areas too.
Never send money upfront. Never provide your bank account or credit card information to someone you have not verified. Never agree to a rate verbally and then show up to find the rate has changed — insist on written confirmation before you move your truck. If something feels off, move on to the next load. There is always another one.
Alternatives to load boards for finding car hauling work
Load boards are the most common way independent car haulers find freight, but they are not the only way. Some drivers build relationships with a handful of brokers or shippers and call them directly when they are available. This takes time to develop but can result in more consistent work and better rates because the company knows your reliability.
Trucking companies hire car haulers as employees or contractors and assign loads through their own dispatch system, not a public board. If you prefer steady work and do not want to search for loads yourself, this is an option — though you give up the flexibility to choose which loads you take.
Facebook groups and informal networks also post loads. These are less formal and often have lower rates, but they can work if you are in an area with active car hauling activity and you know people in the community. The downside is no standardized vetting, so you need to be more cautious.
Many drivers use a combination: a subscription to one or two major boards, relationships with a few trusted brokers, and membership in a Facebook group or local network. This diversification means you are not dependent on a single source of loads and can often find better rates by having options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a commercial driver's license to use a load board?
Requirements depend on the weight and type of vehicles you are hauling. Most car hauling requires a CDL, but some lighter loads or enclosed trailers may not, depending on your state and the gross vehicle weight rating. Check your state's DMV requirements and your insurance policy before you start hauling.
What if I book a load and the company cancels or changes the rate?
Load boards do not enforce contracts between you and the poster — that is between you and the company. If a company cancels, you have lost time but no legal recourse through the board. If they change the rate after you have committed, you can refuse the load, but you may damage your relationship with that company. Always get written confirmation before you move your truck.
Can I negotiate the rate posted on a load board?
Yes. The posted rate is often a starting point, not a final offer. Call the poster and ask if they are flexible, especially if you can offer something they need — a faster pickup, a return load to their area, or a commitment to multiple loads. Some companies will negotiate; others will not. It never hurts to ask.
How do I know if a load board is worth the subscription cost?
Calculate your average loads per month and the average rate. If a $100 monthly subscription means you find one extra load per month at a rate that covers the subscription cost plus profit, it is worth it. If you are running the same number of loads at the same rates with or without the board, it is not. Many drivers start with a free trial or a one-month subscription to test the board before committing.
What should I do if I suspect a load posting is a scam?
Report it to the load board operator and do not contact the poster. Most boards have a report button or email address for suspicious listings. If you have already been contacted by a scammer, do not send money and do not provide personal information. Block their contact information and move on.