How to Read a Rate Confirmation (Owner-Operator Guide)
A rate confirmation — often called a "rate con" — is the document a broker sends confirming the agreed rate and load details before you haul. It's your record of what you'll be paid and what you agreed to do, so reading it carefully before accepting protects you from surprises and payment disputes. Always confirm every detail matches what you negotiated before the wheels turn.
What a rate confirmation includes
A proper rate confirmation should clearly state:
- The agreed rate and how it's calculated (flat or per mile)
- Pickup and delivery locations, dates, and times
- The commodity and weight
- The broker's information and MC authority
- Accessorial terms — detention, layover, lumper fees, and how they're paid
- Any special requirements (tarping, temperature, appointment times)
What to check before you accept
The rate matches what you negotiated. Confirm the number on paper is exactly what you agreed to verbally. If it's different, don't haul until it's corrected.
Detention and accessorial terms. Check when detention starts and what it pays — this is where carriers often lose money. (See detention pay.)
Pickup and delivery windows. Make sure the times are realistic for your hours and location.
The broker is legitimate. Verify their authority — mismatched company names or missing details are red flags. (See how to avoid double brokering.)
Special requirements you can meet. Confirm any tarping, temperature, or equipment requirements before committing.
Why the rate con matters for getting paid
If a payment dispute arises, the rate confirmation is your evidence of what was agreed. A clean, complete rate con that matches your negotiation is your protection. A vague or inconsistent one is a warning sign — get it corrected before you haul, not after.
How a dispatcher handles this for you
Part of a dispatcher's job is reviewing every rate confirmation before you accept — checking the rate, terms, and broker, and catching problems before they cost you. That review is one of the quiet ways good dispatching protects your paycheck.
Want every rate con checked before you roll? Talk to a Dexent dispatcher.