Introduction to Using Load Board
The Relay Load Board (RLB) is Amazon Relay’s most popular tool. We launched it in 2018 to support carriers to find desirable work from Amazon’s freight network in real-time, so they could grow their business.
Load boards play an important role in the trucking industry. Essentially, they are online marketplaces accessible through a software platform, mobile app, or other interface.
RLB is a direct freight load board for spot work that allows carrier companies, owner-operators, and freight service providers to easily locate and procure their haulage and be part of a growing e-commerce sector. It helps to streamline the logistics process and drive efficiencies. Here we explain how you can get started using the Relay load board.
What is a load board?
A load board is a list of available freight loads which can be booked on the spot, commonly referred to as ‘spot work’. Carriers use these to find short-term transport jobs, searching the list based on locations, arrival and departure, expected payments, and specific requirements.
How Amazon Relay’s load board works
To search Amazon Relay’s load board, input your starting point and destination. You will then have the option to include the distance, or radius, from the starting point that you’re willing to travel to pick up your booked load. You can also use different filters to narrow down the spot work options by:
- Trailer status
- Equipment type
- Load type
- Driver (i.e. one, two-person)
- Layout
- Number of stops
- Length of trip
Posting a truck
To advertise your capacity, you can use the ‘Post A Truck’ feature. Instead of tracking the load board 24/7, simply share where and when your company’s vehicles, drivers, and trailers are available and let brokers and shippers come to you. You can also input your preferred criteria, such as:
- Origin
- Destination
- Availability
- Start and end times
- Maximum stops
- Payout
- Stem time
At Relay, we try to match loads with ‘Post A Truck’ orders before they are available on the load board. Once a spot work order is created, it stays open until it’s matched, or the order expires. If your availability changes, you can cancel the order—but this can affect your Amazon Relay performance rating.
What are the benefits of using Amazon Relay’s load board?
RLB serves as a carrier’s gateway to secure regular trucking work. At any given time, UK and EU carriers can access spot work, or proactively place their capacity to book new trips through the ‘Post A Truck’ option.
Here’s how:
- Stable work: Load boards can provide a steady flow of jobs for trucking companies and owner operators’ steady flow of orders, making them an excellent employer for your truck drivers
- Higher earnings: If your carrier company performs well, you will get early access to loads—making your business more competitive
- Partnership: Collaborating within the Amazon network can add to your company’s reputation, which helps bring in new business
- Tech tools: Users get access to leading technology like automatic load-matching
- Fast payments: Payments are fast and automatic, with a 7-day turnaround.
Whether finding loads for your drivers or looking for new ways to grow your carrier business, the Relay load board provides you with a variety of options and tools to help you save time and maximise your earnings:
- Instant spot load booking
- Search for loads 24/7
- Automatically refresh the board every 30 seconds for new matches
- Save your frequent searches to sort by preference
- Receive email alerts for real-time updates on loads that meet your carrier criteria
- Post your capacity online so that the work comes to you
- Get paid weekly for your approved work
How to start using Relay load board
Getting access to RLB is a straightforward process, but there are conditions carriers need to adhere to.
Amazon Relay is aimed at road haulage companies with a valid O-License (HGV/vehicles over 3.5 t), VAT number, and who meet our minimum insurance requirements.
UK carriers also need to have the following coverage:
- Public Liability insurance: £1,000,000
- Motor insurance: £1,200,000
- Goods-in-transit insurance: RHA £9,000 per ton OR £100,000 full value liability/all risks per vehicle
- UK Operating License
Once we receive your company’s completed application, it will be approved or rejected within 1–4 weeks. Any delays will be a result of validating insurance details. At the point your application has been approved and you’ve completed your initial Relay trainings, you’ll be able to book loads from the Relay loadboard.
If you’re ready to haul, we’re ready to help. Create your Amazon Relay account today to get started.
