What Is a Rate Confirmation? A Checklist for Carriers

A rate confirmation, often called a rate con, records the agreed rate and shipment details for a particular load. Before sending a truck, compare the document with your conversation and the other agreements involved. Do not assume every broker uses the same form or includes the same terms.

This checklist helps carriers and dispatchers identify questions to resolve before a move. It does not determine the legal effect of a contract.

Rate confirmation versus broker-carrier agreement

A broker-carrier agreement addresses the broader business relationship. A rate confirmation focuses on a particular shipment. Read them together: do not assume one document automatically overrides the other.

Truckstop’s published rate definitions distinguish a tendered rate on a rate confirmation from a posted rate and a later paid rate. That distinction matters when comparing a load-board listing with the final shipment paperwork.

What to check before accepting a load

Company names and load references

Confirm the broker’s identity, the carrier name, the load number, and the operational contact. Resolve a document addressed to another carrier or an unexpected change of company name before dispatch. Use current FMCSA authority information and an independently confirmed business contact as part of your checks.

The compensation you actually agreed

Check whether the amount is a flat total, a per-mile rate, or another arrangement. Ask whether fuel is included or shown separately, and what mileage basis applies. These are questions to settle in writing, not assumptions to fill in afterward.

Illustrative example: an offer discussed as $1,500 total should not be treated as $1,500 plus fuel unless that additional amount is actually agreed. The example describes a review question, not a current market rate.

Stops and appointment details

Confirm the pickup and delivery addresses, reference numbers, dates, times, and time zones. Include additional stops in the review. Ask what happens if an appointment changes and who can approve a revised instruction.

Freight and equipment

Compare the commodity, reported weight, trailer type, dimensions where relevant, and any handling instructions with the equipment and services your carrier can provide. Resolve missing details before relying on an assumption about the load.

Additional charges and conditions

Ask how waiting time, cancellation, overnight delays, unloading charges, or other additional services are handled if they apply. Determine what approval and supporting records are requested. Do not assume a particular free-time allowance, hourly payment, or cancellation fee applies to every shipment.

Invoicing and payment paperwork

Identify where to submit the invoice and which delivery records are required. Clarify payment timing and any agreed deductions or optional payment-service fees. A recorded rate is not proof that a payment has been made.

When something changes

Ask the verified broker contact to confirm material changes in writing. Keep the revised instruction alongside the original document, and make sure the driver receives the current operational details. Independently verify a suspicious contact or payment change.

Two questions carriers often ask

Does clicking Apply mean a load is booked?

On National Load Board, submitting an application does not confirm a booking. The broker must select the carrier; the parties should resolve shipment details and required paperwork before the move.

Is the rate confirmation a guarantee of payment?

No. It records shipment terms; identity checks, payment review, and the actual performance and documentation of the work remain separate matters.

Explore the National Load Board demo to see the application workflow. Demo content does not represent available freight.

Sources

• Truckstop: Rates and shipment workflow definitions
• DAT: Broker-carrier agreements
• FMCSA: Broker and carrier fraud guidance

Sources reviewed October 24, 2026. This is an operational checklist, not an interpretation of your contract. Obtain qualified advice for a contract dispute or unclear legal obligation.