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USA · FMCSA
USA · FMCSAUS Freight Broker Authority
Get your FMCSA property broker authority filed right the first time, so you can legally arrange freight across all 50 states.
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Home›Consultancy›Freight Broker Permits & Bond
Freight broker licensing consultants · Canada & USAFreight Broker License & Bond in Canada and USA.
Authority · Bond · Training
Talk to a Consultant
A freight broker consultant will contact you within 24 hrs.
10+ Years Transport compliance
500+ Consulting partners
100% Certification success rate
2 Offices Canada & USA
3–4 Weeks to
US authority
US authority
What is a freight broker license
Freight Broker License and Bond for the USA and Canada
What is a freight broker license? A freight broker license, officially called freight broker authority, is the operating authority the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) grants to a company that arranges truck transportation for shippers in the United States, for a fee. Before it becomes active, the broker must have a USD 75,000 surety bond or trust fund on file.
MAZE Consultancy gets brokers moving fast. We register your US freight broker authority, arrange your USD 75,000 BMC-84 broker bond, set up your Canadian freight brokerage and train your team to find shippers, price loads and manage carriers. Most US authorities are active in 3–4 weeks.
Our freight broker services
Freight Broker Permits, Bonds & Training
Starting a brokerage or adding one to your trucking company? We handle the authority, the bond and the know-how.
02USA · USD 75,000
USA · USD 75,000Broker Bond (BMC-84)
The USD 75,000 bond every US broker must keep on file. We shop for a competitive premium and keep it active so your authority never lapses.
Get started →03Canada · Provincial
Canada · ProvincialCanadian Freight Brokerage Setup
Canada has no federal broker licence, but provincial rules apply, including registration in Quebec. We set up your brokerage the right way.
Get started →04Canada & USA · 20 hours
Canada & USA · 20 hoursFreight Broker Training
Learn to find shippers, vet carriers, price loads and get paid, in our 20-hour freight broker specialist course.
View the course →Why get licensed
Benefits of Freight Broker Authority
Brokerage is one of the fastest ways to grow a transport business. Here is what your own authority unlocks.
Turn extra loads into extra profit
- Never Turn Down a Load AgainHand overflow loads to partner carriers and keep both the customer and the margin.
- Earn Without Adding TrucksGrow revenue without buying more trucks, hiring drivers or paying more insurance.
- Win Bigger Shipper ContractsBig shippers want one partner for every lane and every season. Now that is you.
- Fill Your BackhaulsBook loads for your own and partner trucks and stop paying for empty miles.
- Stay Fully LegalBrokering without authority can cost over USD 10,000 per violation. Stay protected.
Start a high-margin business of your own
- Low Start-Up CostNo trucks, no yard and no drivers. Just a laptop, a phone and your own authority.
- Work From AnywhereRun your brokerage from an office or from home, anywhere in Canada and the USA.
- Unlimited Earning PotentialEvery load you book pays you a margin. More shippers means more money in your pocket.
- Credibility From Day OneA licensed, bonded broker passes shipper and carrier checks on the very first call.
- Learn It the Right WayPair your authority with our training and book your first loads with full confidence.
How we get you licensed
How to Become a Freight Broker: Our 5-Step Process
One team handles the authority, the bond and the paperwork, so you can start booking loads sooner.
Business Review
We review your company, ownership and plans and confirm which authority you need.
Company Setup
We set up the registrations your brokerage needs, with no errors to stall approval.
Broker Bond
We arrange your USD 75,000 BMC-84 bond and make sure it is on file.
Authority Filed
We prepare and file your broker authority application and every filing that goes with it.
Active & Compliant
We track approval until your authority is active and set you up to stay compliant.
USA · Carriers adding brokerage
For trucking companies
Already a Carrier? Add a Brokerage Arm
Can a trucking company also be a freight broker? Yes. A motor carrier needs separate broker authority and its own USD 75,000 broker bond to arrange loads for other carriers. Carrier authority alone does not allow you to broker freight.
- Keep the customer when your own trucks are full
- Earn a margin on every load you hand off
- Cover more lanes without buying equipment
- Stay legal with your own broker authority and bond
MAZE adds broker authority and the bond to your existing company, and can train your dispatchers to run the brokerage side.
Add Broker AuthorityOur clients
Trusted by Importers, Carriers & 3PLs Across Canada & USA
- Dolphin Transport
- De Well Container Shipping Inc.
- LG Energy Solution
- A & A Contract Customs Brokers
- Golden Bridge International
- Ideal Roofing Company Ltd.
- Crown Auto Transport
- Dolphin Transport
- De Well Container Shipping Inc.
- LG Energy Solution
- A & A Contract Customs Brokers
- Golden Bridge International
- Ideal Roofing Company Ltd.
- StockX
Talk to a freight broker consultant
Get Your Freight Broker Authority
Ask about US broker authority, the USD 75,000 broker bond, a Canadian brokerage or our training. A consultant replies within 24 hours.
Toll Free+1-888-315-6293 Emailinfo@mazeconsultancy.com
Canada55 Village Centre Place,
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1V9
Mississauga, ON L4Z 1V9
USA1055 West 7th Street, 33rd Floor,
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Start your freight brokerage
Tell us about your company and we’ll explain the next steps.
Why MAZE Consultancy
Why Choose MAZE for Your Freight Broker Authority
One wrong filing can leave your authority stuck for weeks while your loads go to someone else. Every week without active authority is lost revenue. MAZE files it right the first time, so you start booking loads on schedule.
10+ years in transport compliance
Authorities, bonds and border programs.
US and Canada under one roof
FMCSA filings and Canadian setup, one team.
Authority in 3–4 weeks
We track every filing until you are active.
Offices in Canada and the USA
Mississauga and Los Angeles.
More certifications
Complete Your Transport Compliance Program
Most of our freight broker clients also need one or more of these. One consultant can handle them all.
CTPAT CertificationU.S. trusted-trader programLearn more →
PIP CertificationCanada's trusted-trader programLearn more →
CSA CertificationCustoms Self AssessmentLearn more →
Bonded WarehouseCBP & CBSA licensingLearn more →
SmartWayEPA fuel-efficiency partnerLearn more →
ISO 9001Quality managementLearn more →
FAQ
Freight Broker Authority & Bond FAQs
Broker authority, the BMC-84 bond, Canadian brokerages and training.
What is a freight broker?
A freight broker is a company that arranges the transportation of shippers’ freight with licensed motor carriers, for a fee or commission. The broker does not haul the freight. It matches loads with trucks, negotiates rates and manages the shipment.
Do I need a license to be a freight broker in the USA?
Yes. Anyone who arranges interstate truck transportation for compensation must hold FMCSA property broker authority and keep a USD 75,000 surety bond or trust fund on file. Brokering without authority can bring penalties of more than USD 10,000 per violation.
How do I get a freight broker license?
You need a registered business, FMCSA broker authority, a USD 75,000 broker bond and the required filings on record before your authority becomes active. MAZE handles every step, and our training teaches you how to run the brokerage.
How long does it take to get freight broker authority?
Most US broker authorities are active within 3–4 weeks of a complete application, including the FMCSA protest period. Errors or missing filings cause delays, which is why MAZE checks everything before it is filed.
What is a BMC-84 bond?
A BMC-84 is the USD 75,000 surety bond FMCSA requires of every property broker. It protects shippers and carriers if the broker fails to pay. A BMC-85 trust fund is the alternative, but it ties up the full USD 75,000 in cash.
How much does a freight broker bond cost?
You pay a yearly premium that is a percentage of the USD 75,000 bond, not the full amount. The rate depends mainly on credit and experience. MAZE gets quotes so you pay a competitive premium.
What changed for broker bonds in 2026?
Since January 16, 2026, FMCSA requires brokers to keep the full USD 75,000 of financial security available at all times. If a bond or trust fund falls below that amount, the broker authority can be suspended, so keeping your bond in good standing is critical.
What is the difference between broker authority and carrier authority?
Carrier authority lets you haul freight in your own trucks. Broker authority lets you arrange freight with other carriers. A company that wants to do both needs both authorities and a broker bond.
Can a trucking company also be a freight broker?
Yes, with separate broker authority and its own USD 75,000 broker bond. Many carriers add a brokerage so they can keep customers when their own trucks are full.
Do I need a freight broker licence in Canada?
Canada has no federal freight broker licence. Provincial rules still apply, including registration of transport intermediaries in Quebec. MAZE sets up your Canadian brokerage to meet the rules where you operate.
Can a Canadian company get US freight broker authority?
Yes. A Canadian company can get FMCSA broker authority to arrange freight in the United States, with the same USD 75,000 bond and filings as a US broker. MAZE helps Canadian brokers get US authority.
Do I need freight broker training?
Training is not required by law, but most new brokers struggle with sales, carrier vetting and cash flow, not paperwork. Our 20-hour freight broker specialist course teaches you how to find shippers, price loads, vet carriers and get paid.
Is freight broker authority the same as a freight broker license?
Yes. “Freight broker license” is the everyday name for FMCSA property broker operating authority. There is no separate license: once your authority is granted and your USD 75,000 bond is on file, you are a licensed freight broker.
What is the difference between a freight broker and a truck dispatcher?
A truck dispatcher works for a carrier, finding loads and managing paperwork for that carrier’s trucks. A freight broker works between shippers and carriers and arranges the freight. A dispatcher who acts for shippers or takes payment from shippers is brokering and needs broker authority. Our Truck Dispatcher & Freight Broker Specialist course covers both roles.
What is the difference between a freight broker and a freight forwarder?
A freight broker arranges for a carrier to move the shipment and never takes legal responsibility for the cargo. A freight forwarder takes responsibility for the shipment, often consolidates freight and issues its own bill of lading. Each needs its own FMCSA authority and USD 75,000 financial security.
Can I run a freight brokerage from home?
Yes. Many brokers start from a home office. You need your broker authority and bond, a business phone, a computer and access to load boards.
What insurance does a freight broker need?
Broker authority requires only the USD 75,000 bond or trust fund. Many shippers also ask brokers for contingent cargo and general liability insurance before they hand over freight.
What happens if my broker bond is cancelled?
FMCSA is notified and your broker authority can be suspended or revoked. You cannot legally broker freight until new security is on file. MAZE helps you keep your bond active.
How much does it cost to become a freight broker?
Costs include government filing fees, the yearly bond premium and setup. Call +1-888-315-6293 for a quote based on your company.
Does MAZE help freight brokers in Canada and the USA?
Yes. MAZE has offices in Mississauga, Ontario and Los Angeles, California, and helps brokers on both sides of the border with authority, bonds, setup and training.
Ready to start your freight brokerage?
Get your broker authority and bond with a MAZE consultant today.
