by 
Freight brokers play an important role in the supply chain.
They operate as the go-between the carrier and the shipper/customer.
When you are looking to become a freight broker in Maine, it is important to know about the process, as well as the career opportunities that are available.
Article Table of Contents
Freight Broker Duties in Maine
When you work in Maine as a freight broker, there will be a variety of responsibilities.
Much of these will depend on whether you are working for yourself or you are working for a company.
When you are a freight broker working for yourself in Maine, you will need to file for a business license and set up a tax ID number with the Department of Revenue.
You will also need to name yourself the Process Agent, which is the representative who will receive court documents in the event that there is a lawsuit brought on by a freight forwarder or carrier.
Typically, you will be responsible for all aspects of maintaining a relationship between the customer and the carrier.
This begins with customer acquisition, including generating leads and marketing your services to various individuals or companies.
Establishing a network of reputable carriers will be vital.
- You will want to identify what each carrier is capable of offering, such as full and partial loads, and what forms of transportation they use.
- You will work with customers to connect them with carriers, talk to them about freight options, and provide them with quotes.
- You will be responsible for booking orders with carriers, managing the collection and drop-off times/locations, and tracking the status.
Additionally, your responsibilities will include:
- Communication
- Record-keeping
- Providing updates
- Assisting with inquiries
While you can work with clients solely in Maine, many brokers choose to work virtually, making it possible to work with clients across the U.S.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Freight Broker in Maine
There are a few basic requirements that need to be followed so that you can obtain your license in Maine.
This includes not only submitting a Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) application but also obtaining a surety bond.
The Department of the Secretary of State Bureau of Motor Vehicles identifies that a UCR application has to be submitted.
There is a one-time fee of $300 that will need to be paid to process the application.
While there are renewals required every two years, there are no additional fees to be paid.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also requires that you obtain a surety bond of at least $75,000.
There are surety bond companies that will provide this in exchange for a monthly premium, reducing the out-of-pocket expense for you.
During the application process, brokers will need to register within the Unified Registration System.
Form BOC-3 will also need to be filled out, which is responsible for designating a Process Agent.
Brokers can choose to designate themselves or there may be a Process Agent for the organization.
Freight Broker Programs
A variety of freight broker programs exist to provide you with training.
While training is not a requirement, it can help you to be more skilled at your job – and increase the opportunities and pay that are available to you.
The cost of the programs can vary from $199 for a single course all the way to $1500 for a full program.
Courses can be taken in a week while a full program may last as long as six weeks.
There are typically online and in-person courses available for you to choose from.
Ed2Go offers freight broker/agent training that is 180-course hours and takes place over six months.
It provides training on a number of skills ranging from operations to sales to marketing.
In Maine, Ed2Go has partnered with several local campuses including:
- Central Maine Community College
- UMA Brunswick Center
- Central Maine Community College
Salary
While some freight brokers are paid a direct salary, many are paid on the margin between what the customer pays and what the carrier is paid per load.
As such, the gross margin of loads becomes important.
Many brokers will claim a net margin that varies between three and eight percent on each load.
According to salary.com, freight brokers in Portland, Maine will earn an average salary of $32,702 with a range that falls between $30,727 and $34,710.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Portland | $51,550 |
| Lewiston | $51,023 |
| Bangor | $48,205 |
| South Portland | $51,550 |
| Auburn | $51,023 |
| Brunswick | $51,094 |
| Biddeford | $51,305 |
| Sanford | $52,841 |
| Augusta | $49,350 |
| Scarborough | $51,550 |
Regional Salary in Maine
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston-Auburn, ME | 50 | $63,090 | $30.33 | $95,010 | $43,550 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | 70 | $64,600 | $31.06 | $96,960 | $42,260 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the most opportunities to become a freight broker in Maine?
Throughout Maine, there are plenty of places where you can work as a freight broker.
Ideally, you will want to choose the larger and more populated cities including Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor.
How are UCR renewal registrations handled in Maine?
Unified Carrier Registration (UCR) registrations for brokers need to be filed every two years.
The applications are handled through the Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles and are processed in the last quarter of every calendar year.
Does the state of Maine require any specific courses?
No.
The only educational requirement for being a freight broker in Maine is to have either a high school diploma or a GED.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Freight Broker
Freight Broker License by State