How Much Does It Cost to Start a Truck Dispatching Business?

With a budget as low as $75,000 an entrepreneur can start a small-scale truck dispatching business. Also, an entrepreneur who wants to start a standard truck dispatching business could budget from $250,000.

The scope and type of truck-dispatching business you want to start will determine the amount you will spend to get the business up and running.

A truck dispatching business is a service-based business that provides logistics and dispatching support to trucking companies, owner-operators, or truck drivers.

Truck dispatchers act as intermediaries between shippers and carriers, ensuring that the transportation process runs smoothly.

Apart from the rough estimate stated above as regards the amount it will cost you to start a truck dispatching business, it is important to note that there are certain key factors that can determine the amount it will cost you to start this business, and that is what we will discuss in this article.

Factors That Influence the Cost of Opening a Truck Dispatching Business

1. Business Registration, Licensing, and Permits

Please note that the costs associated with obtaining the necessary licenses and permits to operate a truck-dispatching business can vary from one city or state to another.

The amount it will cost you to register a business in the United States of America will be different from what it will cost you to obtain the same permits and licenses in Canada or any other country.

So, it is important to research the requirements specific to the location you intend to start your truck dispatching business.

The licenses and permits needed to operate a truck dispatching business in the United States include business licensing fees, operating authority (MC Number), Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), state-specific business licenses,

Home occupation permit (if operating from home), commercial office space lease (if applicable), sales tax permit (if providing taxable services), motor carrier broker authority (if applicable), USDOT Number (if transporting property), compliance with hours of service regulations (if applicable), etc).

Note that in the United States, you should have an estimate of $2,500 to $7,500 or more for all the needed licenses and permits to start a truck dispatching business.

2. The Cost of Purchasing Truck Dispatching Equipment and Software

If you are planning to start a truck dispatching business, then you should have a budget to purchase equipment, supplies, and software such as a:

Computer or laptop, internet connection, phone line or mobile phones, printer and scanner, dispatching software, trucking management software, GPS and navigation tools, fax machine (optional), email software, accounting software,

Spreadsheet software, document management software, load board subscriptions, industry directories, digital fax services (if needed),

Credit and payment processing services (if needed), customer relationship management (CRM) software, file storage and backup solutions, VoIP phone services, and office supplies (stationery, pens, paper, etc.).

From experience, you should have a budget estimate of $10,000 to $20,000 or more to purchase the needed truck dispatching equipment and supplies.

3. The Location Where You Want to Start the Business

Different cities have different rental and leasing rates, and they also require different budgets to run a business even if the business is the same.

For instance, if you have plans to start your truck dispatching business in Los Angeles, California, then you must be ready to spend far more than is required to start the same business in Raleigh, North Carolina.

This is because Los Angeles, California is one of the most expensive cities in the United States, and Raleigh, North Carolina is among the least expensive cities.

4. The Cost of Marketing and Advertising

Establishing a strong online presence, creating a website, developing marketing materials, and advertising your truck dispatching business will attract reasonable expenses.

In essence, you should have a budget that will take care of your business website design, online marketing campaigns, printed materials, and business cards.

Depending on how big you want to announce your presence in the market, you should have a budget estimate of $1,000 to $5,000 or more.

5. The Cost of Purchasing Insurance Policy Covers

In order to protect your business and clients, you will need insurance coverage, such as general liability insurance, commercial property insurance, professional liability insurance (errors and omissions insurance),

Commercial auto insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, cargo insurance, cyber liability insurance, and business interruption insurance.

Trust me, the amount you will spend in purchasing insurance coverage for your truck dispatching business will influence the overall cost of starting a truck dispatching business.

Note that the costs of purchasing insurance policy coverage for your truck dispatching business will depend on your location, the risks your business is exposed to, and the coverage options you choose. But generally, you should have a budget estimate of $3,000 to $6,000 per year for your insurance policy coverage.

6. Staffing Cost

Another factor that will greatly influence the overall cost of starting a truck dispatching business is your staffing cost. The only reason why you may not have a budget for staffing costs is if you run the business alone.

But, if you plan to hire truck dispatchers, administrative support staff, sales and business development representatives, accountants or bookkeepers, customer service representatives,

IT and technical support personnel, then you should consider their salaries, benefits, and training costs and this can be a large chunk of your budget.

Note that your staffing expenses will vary because it will depend on the number of staff members you want to hire, and of course, their qualifications.

7. Operational Costs or Ongoing Expenses

There is no fixed amount to spend when it comes to operational costs, but the truth is that it can be a significant part of your budget especially if you are going to be operating a standard truck dispatching business with over a handful of employees.

Note that your operation costs include ongoing expenses such as office supplies, utilities, transportation costs, and maintenance expenses for your equipment and tools.

We cannot categorically give an estimate of what you should budget for your operational costs because it will vary based on your business size and the volume of clients you handle.