What happens after you apply

The screen you see at the end of your application tells you what comes next.

• You're verified, check your email: you verified your USDOT number. Check your email for an invitation. If it doesn't arrive, choose I didn't receive the invitation on that screen.
• Thanks, {your name}, you're in review: your application goes to our team. When they set up your company, you get the same invitation by email.
• Request received: you chose I don't have access to these. This asks our team for help. If you need help, email carriers@cargado.com. See Verify your USDOT number.
• You already have access: you already belong to your company's Cargado account, so there is no invitation. Choose Log in.

Step 1: Accept your invitation

Open the invitation email and accept it. Set your password, accept the terms, and set up two-factor sign-in with a text message or an authenticator app. Your account is active from your first sign-in.

An invitation lasts 30 days. If yours has expired, email carriers@cargado.com and ask for a new one.

Tip: The invitation email may say no setup is needed. If your company is new to Cargado, you still complete your company profile when you first sign in.

Step 2: Set up your company profile

Choose your language. You can add a WhatsApp number or skip it. A short setup then walks you through Profile, Operations, Service areas, GPS and Telematics and Invite your team. See How do I set up my company profile?

Step 3: Add three references

If your company is not approved yet, the last step is References. Under Add your commercial references, choose Add Reference to add three companies you have hauled for: brokers (3PLs), freight forwarders or shippers, not other carriers. Finish profile unlocks once the third one is added. Our team checks your references before approving your company. More in Get approved as a carrier.

Step 4: Wait for approval

Until your company is approved, you see We're working on getting you set up. You can't open the Load board or bid yet. You can still adjust your organization settings, and Contact Support reaches our team.

Finishing your profile does not approve your company. Our team approves it as a separate step. For a company based in the United States, approval also needs an active operating authority with FMCSA.

Once your company is approved, the Load board appears the next time you sign in. We do not send an approval email, so sign in to check.

Joining a company that already has an account

If your company is already on Cargado, you join its account instead of starting a new one. There are two ways in:

• Ask an admin at your company to invite you.
• Apply with your company's USDOT number and verify. Once you verify, check your email for an invitation to the account. If you already belong to it, you see You already have access instead.

When verification starts, the company's active owners and admins get an email saying you asked to join.

If the company is already approved, you have no references to add.

Questions? Email carriers@cargado.com with your company name and the number you applied with.