Getting Started
Learn the basics of using the platform, including logging in, navigation, user settings, and general workflows.
How to Add a Company Truck
Adding a truck allows you to manage your fleet, assign trucks to loads, and track operational data throughout the system. Standard Method 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Select List. 3. Click Truck. 4. In the Truck module, click + Add Truck in the top-right corner. 5. Complete the required information. 6. Click Save. Quick Add Shortcut You can also create a truck from anywhere in the application using the Add New (+) shortcut in the left navigation menu. 1. Click the + icon in the left sidebar (Main Menu). 2. Under the General section, select Truck. 3. Complete the truck information. 4. Click Save. This shortcut lets you quickly add new records without navigating to the Truck module. Tips VIN Lookup When you enter a valid VIN, the system automatically retrieves and populates: - Year - Make - Model You only need to select the Truck Type and enter the Unit No. before saving. Set the Initial Mileage If you want to track the truck's mileage across the platform (such as Loads, Repairs, and other mileage-based features), enter the current Mileage on the Additional tab. Note: If no mileage is entered when the truck is created, the system starts tracking mileage from 0. You can update the mileage at any time. Save Time with the Add New Shortcut The Add New (+) shortcut is available throughout the application, allowing you to quickly create new records without opening the corresponding module first. Use it whenever you need to add a new truck while working in another part of the system.
How to Add a Company Trailer
Adding a trailer allows you to manage your fleet, assign trailers to loads, and track operational data throughout the system. Standard Method 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Select List. 3. Click Trailer. 4. In the Trailer module, click + Add Trailer in the top-right corner. 5. Complete the required information. 6. Click Save. Quick Add Shortcut You can also create a trailer from anywhere in the application using the Add New (+) shortcut in the left navigation menu. 1. Click the + icon in the left sidebar. 2. Under the General section, select Trailer. 3. Complete the trailer information. 4. Click Save. This shortcut lets you quickly add new records without navigating to the Trailer module. Tips VIN Lookup When you enter a valid VIN, the system automatically retrieves and populates: - Year - Make - Model You only need to select the Trailer Type, Length, and enter the Unit No. before saving. Set the Initial Mileage If you want to track the trailer's mileage across the platform (such as Loads, Repairs, and other mileage-based features), enter the current Mileage on the Additional tab. Note: If no mileage is entered when the trailer is created, the system starts tracking mileage from 0. You can update the mileage at any time. Save Time with the Add New Shortcut The Add New (+) shortcut is available throughout the application, allowing you to quickly create new records without opening the corresponding module first. Use it whenever you need to add a new trailer while working in another part of the system.
How to Add a Company Driver
Adding a Company Driver allows you to assign the driver to loads, process payroll, and provide access to the Driver Mobile App. Standard Method 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Select List. 3. Click Driver. 4. In the Driver module, click + Add Driver in the top-right corner. 5. Complete the required driver information. 6. Select Company Driver as the Driver Type. 7. Configure the driver's payroll settings. 8. Click Save. Quick Add Shortcut You can also create a driver from anywhere in the application using the Add New (+) shortcut in the left navigation menu. 1. Click the + icon in the left sidebar. 2. Under the General section, select Driver. 3. Complete the required information. 4. Click Save. This shortcut lets you quickly add new records without navigating to the Driver module. Tips Select the Correct Driver Type Before saving the driver, select Company Driver from the Driver Type dropdown. The available payroll options and driver settings depend on the selected driver type. Driver App Access The Email entered under Driver App Access is used to create the driver's mobile application account. Note: The email address must be unique. If the email is already assigned to another driver, the system will display an Already in use message. Social Security Number (SSN) The driver's SSN must also be unique. Note: If the SSN already exists in the system, it cannot be assigned to another driver. Payroll Setup Payroll is available only for Company Drivers. Select one of the available Pay Types: - Per Mile Pay - Commission Pay - Flat Rate Pay Depending on the selected pay type, the payroll section automatically displays the required fields. Save Time with the Add New Shortcut The Add New (+) shortcut is available throughout the application, allowing you to quickly create new records without opening the corresponding module first. Use it whenever you need to add a new driver while working in another part of the system.
How to Add an Owner Operator
Adding an Owner Operator creates a driver who owns or operates their own equipment. During setup, you can associate the driver with either a Sole Proprietor or an Owner Company. Standard Method 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Select List. 3. Click Driver. 4. In the Driver module, click + Add Driver in the top-right corner. 5. Complete the required driver information. 6. Select Owner Operator as the Driver Type. 7. Under Owner Info, select Sole Proprietor. 8. Complete the remaining information. 9. Click Save. Quick Add Shortcut You can also create an Owner Operator from anywhere in the application using the Add New (+) shortcut in the left navigation menu. 1. Click the + icon in the left sidebar. 2. Under the General section, select Driver. 3. Select Owner Operator as the Driver Type. 4. Complete the required information. 5. Click Save. This shortcut lets you quickly add new records without navigating to the Driver module. Tips Select the Correct Driver Type Before saving the driver, select Owner Operator from the Driver Type dropdown. Selecting this driver type enables the Owner Info section. Owner Information Owner Operators can be associated with one of two owner types: - Sole Proprietor - Company This article covers the Sole Proprietor workflow. The Company workflow is covered in a separate guide. Existing Sole Proprietor If the entered SSN matches an existing Sole Proprietor in the Owner module, the system automatically links the driver to that owner. In this case: - Sole Proprietor is automatically selected. - The Owner Info section becomes read-only. - No duplicate owner profile is created. This ensures that a single Sole Proprietor owner record is shared across the system. Driver App Access The Email entered under Driver App Access is used for the driver's mobile application account. Note: The email address must be unique. If it is already assigned to another driver, the system displays an Already in use message. Social Security Number (SSN) The driver's SSN must be unique. If the SSN belongs to an existing Sole Proprietor owner, the driver is automatically associated with that owner profile instead of creating a new one. Save Time with the Add New Shortcut The Add New (+) shortcut is available throughout the application, allowing you to quickly create new records without opening the corresponding module first. Use it whenever you need to add a new driver while working in another part of the system.
How to Set Up Your Company
After registering and verifying your email address, you'll complete the Company Setup wizard before accessing the platform. The setup consists of three required steps that establish your company's default configuration. While most settings can be updated later from the Company page, completing the initial setup is required before using the system. Before You Begin 1. Register your company account. 2. Verify your email address using the verification link sent to your inbox. 3. Log in to Carrier Rute. The Company Setup wizard opens automatically after your first login. Step 1 – Company Information Enter your company's basic information, including the required fields: - Business Name - USDOT Number - EIN - Company Address - Time Zone - Currency Once all required fields are completed, click Next. Note: The remaining fields on this step are optional and can be completed later. Step 2 – Company Defaults This step contains your company's default operational settings. The fields are preconfigured with recommended values. If the default configuration meets your needs, simply click Next. Step 3 – Driver & Owner Defaults Configure your company's default payroll settings for newly created Drivers and Owners. These values are prefilled and can be adjusted if needed before clicking Finish. Tips Verify Your Company Information The Business Name and USDOT Number should exactly match the information registered with FMCSA/SAFER. Carrier Rute uses this information to verify your company and synchronize company data from FMCSA. Choose the Correct Time Zone Your company's Time Zone is one of the most important settings in the platform. It is used throughout Carrier Rute to display operational times, including: - Pickup appointments - Delivery appointments - Driver arrival status - Fuel Stops - Repair Shops - Other time-based activities Selecting the correct time zone ensures that dates and times are displayed consistently across the platform. Default Company Settings The settings configured during Steps 2 and 3 become the default values for your company. Although they are preconfigured, you can modify them to better match your business before completing the setup. Company Settings Can Be Updated Later After completing the setup wizard, you can reopen and update your company settings at any time from the Company page. Exception: The following fields cannot be changed after the company has been created: - Company Name - EIN - Email Address Complete All Three Steps The Company Setup wizard must be completed before you can begin using Carrier Rute. All three steps are required, even if you keep the default values for Steps 2 and 3.
How to Set Up Your Dispatch Board
Before you can assign loads, you must first prepare your Dispatch Board by assigning trucks, trailers, and drivers. This setup is typically completed once for each truck when it first enters your fleet. Open the Dispatch Board 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Click Dispatch. 3. Select the board you want to work with. Understanding Dispatch Boards Carrier Rute provides three different Dispatch Board views. All Boards The All Boards view displays all dispatch boards in a single place, giving dispatchers and managers a complete operational overview. This board is read-only and cannot be modified. Team Board The Team Board is shared between dispatchers working together on the same fleet. Only one dispatcher can edit the Team Board at a time. Individual Board Each dispatcher has their own Individual Board where they manage the trucks, trailers, and drivers assigned to them. Unlock the Board Before you can add or remove trucks, trailers, or drivers, the selected board must be unlocked. Click the Lock icon in the upper-right corner. When the board is unlocked: - The left side of the Dispatch Board becomes editable. - The operational section on the right side is temporarily disabled. - Trucks, trailers, and drivers can be added or removed. When you finish making changes, click the Lock icon again to save your changes and return the board to normal operation. Add a Truck Click the + button in the Truck column. Select an existing truck from the list or click Add New to create a new truck without leaving the Dispatch Board. When a truck is added to a Dispatch Board for the first time, the system requires its current location. Enter the city where the truck is currently located. Note: Only the city is required. A full street address is not needed. This location becomes the truck's starting point for future dispatch operations. Add a Trailer Click the + button in the Trailer column. Select an existing trailer from the list or click Add New to create a new trailer directly from the Dispatch Board. Add a Driver Click the + button in the Driver column. Select an existing driver from the list or click Add New to create a new driver without leaving the Dispatch Board. Lock the Board After assigning the required trucks, trailers, and drivers, click the Lock icon again. Once the board is locked: - The operational section becomes active again. - Loads can be assigned. - Driver and load statuses become available. - Load progress is displayed. - Pickup and delivery operations can begin. Tips Selecting Existing Resources When adding a truck, trailer, or driver, Carrier Rute displays all available records. - For smaller fleets, simply select the desired record from the list. - For larger fleets, use the search field to quickly locate a specific truck, trailer, or driver. - If the required record does not exist, click Add New directly from the selection list to create it without leaving the Dispatch Board. Team Board Locking Only one dispatcher can edit the Team Board at a time. While one dispatcher has the board unlocked, other users cannot unlock or modify it. Automatic Locking If there is no activity on the Team Board for 90 seconds, the board automatically locks. This prevents multiple dispatchers from editing the shared board simultaneously. Initial Truck Location A truck requires an initial location only the first time it is assigned to a Dispatch Board. This location becomes the starting point used by Carrier Rute for dispatching and trip tracking. All Boards Is Read-Only The All Boards view is intended for monitoring the entire fleet. To add or remove trucks, trailers, or drivers, use either the Team Board or your Individual Board.
How to Create Your First Load
Creating a load is one of the primary tasks in Carrier Rute. The recommended and fastest way to create a load is by importing the broker's Rate Confirmation, allowing Carrier Rute to automatically populate most of the required information. If you don't have a Rate Confirmation available, you can also create the load manually. Open the Create Load Window You can create a load in one of two ways. Quick Add Shortcut 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Click Add New. 3. Select Load. Load Module 1. Open the Main Menu. 2. Expand List and Click Load. 3. Click + Add Load. Import a Rate Confirmation (Recommended) The recommended workflow is to import the broker's Rate Confirmation before entering any information manually. You can import the document in two ways: - Click Read Rate Confirmation. - Drag and drop the Rate Confirmation directly into the Create Load window. Carrier Rute automatically extracts the available information from the document and populates the load. Review the imported information before saving the load. Create a Load Manually If you are not using a Rate Confirmation, complete the required load information manually. Reference Number Enter the broker's Reference Number. Broker Select an existing Broker. If the record does not exist, click Add New, enter the required information, and save it. The new record is automatically preselected. Equipment You can assign: - Truck - Trailer - Driver Assigning equipment during load creation is optional. If no equipment is selected, the load is created as BOOKED. For FTL loads, assigning a truck automatically creates a Deadhead stop using the truck's last known location from the Dispatch Board. For LTL loads, no Deadhead is created. Mileage is calculated only between the configured stops. Origin Select an existing Shipper. If the record does not exist, click Add New, enter the required information, and save it. The new record is automatically preselected. Configure the pickup schedule by selecting either Work Hours or Appointment, then enter the Date and Time. Destination Select an existing Receiver. If the record does not exist, click Add New, enter the required information, and save it. The new record is automatically preselected. Configure the delivery schedule by selecting either Work Hours or Appointment, then enter the Date and Time. Billing Enter the Base Rate. Click Save to create the load. Tips OCR Is the Recommended Workflow Whenever possible, import the broker's Rate Confirmation instead of entering information manually. LTL Loads If you change the load type to LTL, Commodity and Weight become required fields. Additional Billing Charges Click the + button in the Billing section to add additional charges, including: - Layover - Lumper - Fuel Surcharge - Escort - Detention Additional Stops Click the + button in the Stops section to add additional pickup or delivery stops. Additional stops are automatically included in route and mileage calculations. Map View Click the Map button to display the planned route, including the truck location, stops, and mileage. Mileage Carrier Rute automatically calculates: - Leg Miles - Loaded Miles - Total Miles - Estimated Drive Time For FTL loads, Total Miles includes the Deadhead miles. For LTL loads, mileage is calculated only between the configured stops.