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Free CTB Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style Certified Transportation Broker (CTB) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free CTB practice test to study every exam domain.

Question 1

Under federal law, a property broker must maintain a surety bond (BMC-84) or trust fund (BMC-85) on file with the FMCSA. What is the minimum required amount of that financial security?

  1. $10,000
  2. $25,000
  3. $75,000
  4. $100,000
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - $75,000

Question 2

A shipment is lost while moving in interstate commerce. The shipper arranged the move through a property broker, who tendered the freight to an authorized motor carrier. Under the Carmack Amendment, which party is generally liable for the cargo loss?

  1. The shipper that tendered the freight for transportation
  2. The motor carrier that transported the freight
  3. The broker that arranged and coordinated the transportation
  4. Whichever party physically signed the rate confirmation
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - The motor carrier that transported the freight

Question 3

A broker pays a carrier $1,800 to haul a load and wants to earn a 20% gross margin on the sale to the shipper. What is the minimum the broker must charge the shipper?

  1. $2,160
  2. $2,200
  3. $2,400
  4. $2,250
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - $2,250

Question 4

A new dispatcher confuses property brokers with freight forwarders. What is the PRIMARY legal distinction between the two?

  1. The forwarder takes possession of the freight and issues its own bill of lading
  2. The forwarder is prohibited from arranging any interstate movement of freight
  3. The forwarder is exempt from registering with the FMCSA for operating authority
  4. The forwarder is legally barred from charging a markup on the freight rate
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - The forwarder takes possession of the freight and issues its own bill of lading

Question 5

A broker hires a carrier whose cargo insurer later denies an otherwise valid freight claim, leaving the broker exposed. Which coverage is specifically designed to respond in this situation?

  1. General liability coverage carried by the broker
  2. The broker's $75,000 surety bond on file with the FMCSA
  3. Contingent cargo coverage
  4. Motor truck cargo coverage carried by the carrier
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Contingent cargo coverage

Question 6

A shipper has four pallets that do not fill a trailer, with no urgent delivery deadline and a tight freight budget. Which transportation option should the broker recommend?

  1. Air freight, to guarantee the fastest possible delivery to the consignee
  2. Less-than-truckload (LTL), matching cost to a partial shipment
  3. A dedicated full truckload, reserving the entire trailer for one shipper
  4. Expedited team drivers running continuously to the destination
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Less-than-truckload (LTL), matching cost to a partial shipment

Question 7

A motor carrier accepts a load directly from a broker, then - without the broker's knowledge or permission - re-tenders that same load to a different carrier to haul it. This prohibited practice is known as:

  1. Co-brokering the load with the shipper's written consent
  2. Interlining the freight between two connecting carriers
  3. Assigning the load to a pre-approved backup carrier on file
  4. Double brokering the load without authorization
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Double brokering the load without authorization

Question 8

A broker-carrier agreement includes a clause prohibiting the carrier from directly soliciting freight from the broker's shipper customer. This clause is referred to as a:

  1. A back-solicitation (non-circumvention) clause
  2. An indemnification clause allocating loss between the parties
  3. A force majeure clause excusing performance during disruptions
  4. A severability clause preserving the remainder of the contract
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - A back-solicitation (non-circumvention) clause

Question 9

A broker new to the business is surprised by recurring cash-flow pressure. Which statement BEST explains the working-capital challenge that is typical of freight brokerage?

  1. Shippers are required to prepay in full before any load is booked
  2. Carriers are paid strictly after the shipper has remitted full payment
  3. Carriers are often paid before the shipper pays the broker
  4. The FMCSA reimburses the broker for any short-term timing gap
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Carriers are often paid before the shipper pays the broker

Question 10

The bill of lading is one of the most important documents in a freight move. It serves all of the following functions EXCEPT:

  1. A receipt acknowledging the goods were received for transport
  2. A contract of carriage between the parties to the move
  3. A document of title that can establish control of the goods
  4. Proof of the broker's operating authority
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Proof of the broker's operating authority

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