A-Z Glossary
Trucking glossary
Complete alphabetical index of trucking terms — freight operations, dispatch, compliance, insurance, factoring, fuel cards, equipment, abbreviations, and CB slang. Use the search box to jump to a term or browse by letter below.
A
Accessorial Charge An extra charge for services beyond the basic linehaul move. ACH Automated Clearing House, a common bank transfer method used for freight payments. Additional Insured A party added to a policy for limited coverage rights under policy terms. Advance Rate The percentage of an invoice paid upfront by the factoring company. Adverse Driving Conditions Unexpected conditions that may affect certain hours-of-service calculations under the rules. Aging Report A report showing unpaid invoices by how long they have been outstanding. Air Lines The service and emergency air hoses connecting tractor and trailer brakes. Air Ride A suspension system using air bags to help cushion freight and improve ride quality. All-In Rate A freight price that includes the agreed linehaul and expected charges unless exceptions are written separately. Alligator A piece of tire tread on the road. AOBRD Automatic onboard recording device, an older electronic log device category largely replaced by ELD rules. Appointment Freight Freight that requires scheduled pickup or delivery appointments rather than open shipping hours. Audit Trail A record of changes or events in a logging system that helps explain how driver log data changed.
B
Back Door Traffic or conditions behind a driver or convoy. Backhaul A return or follow-up load that helps move a truck back toward a desired market. Bear CB slang for a police officer or highway patrol officer. Bear in the Air CB slang for aircraft-based speed enforcement or observation. Billable Miles Miles used for payment or customer billing, which may differ from actual miles driven. Blind Shipment A shipment where one party is intentionally hidden from another on paperwork or labels. Bobtail Insurance Coverage for a tractor operated without a trailer in certain situations. BOC-3 A filing that names process agents for a motor carrier or broker. BOL Bill of lading, the key shipping document that describes the freight and shipment details. Brake Check A sudden slowdown or traffic condition that requires braking. Break-Even Rate The minimum rate needed to cover the truck operation cost for a load or mile. Breaker Breaker A radio call used to ask for the channel or start a CB conversation. Broker Approval A factoring company's decision that a broker or shipper is acceptable for invoice funding. Broker Packet The carrier information package a broker requests before tendering freight. Bulkhead A front barrier or wall used to help protect freight or separate cargo.
C
Carrier The trucking company or motor carrier legally responsible for hauling the freight. Carrier Packet A carrier setup packet containing authority, insurance, tax, payment, and contact details. Cash Price A posted price for cash or cash-equivalent purchases, which may differ from credit pricing. CDL Commercial driver's license, the license class required for many commercial vehicle operations. CDL-A A commercial license class commonly required for tractor-trailer combinations. Certificate Holder A party listed to receive proof of insurance or notices as described on the certificate. Certificate of Insurance A document summarizing insurance coverage for a broker, shipper, or customer. Chains and Binders Load securement equipment used to hold heavy freight on open-deck trailers. Chargeback A reversal or debit when an invoice cannot be collected or has a dispute under the agreement. Chicken Coop CB slang for a weigh station. City Kitty CB slang for local police. CMV Commercial motor vehicle, a regulated vehicle category used in trucking rules. COI Certificate of insurance, a document showing coverage summary details. Come Back A request for someone to respond on the radio. Company Driver A driver who operates company equipment as an employee or assigned driver rather than owning the truck. Consignee The party named to receive freight at delivery. Contract Factoring A factoring arrangement covering ongoing invoices under an agreement. Contract Rate A freight rate agreed for a longer period or recurring lane instead of one load at a time. Copy That A short reply meaning the message was heard and understood. Cost-Plus Pricing Fuel card pricing where the customer pays a network cost plus a markup or fee. County Mountie CB slang for a county law enforcement officer. CPM Cost per mile, a way to measure how much it costs to run the truck for each mile. Credit Check A review of a broker or customer's payment risk before a load or invoice is accepted. Cross-Docking Moving freight from one inbound trailer or dock area to an outbound trailer with little or no storage time. CSA Score A common shorthand for FMCSA safety measurement data tied to carrier performance.
D
Day Cab A tractor without a sleeper compartment, often used for local or regional work. Deadhead Driving a truck without paying freight on board. Deadhead Miles Miles driven without a paying load on the truck. Debtor The broker, shipper, or customer that owes payment on a factored invoice. Dedicated Lane A recurring freight lane assigned to a carrier or truck on a planned basis. Deductible The amount the insured pays before insurance payment applies to a covered claim. DEF Diesel exhaust fluid, a fluid used in many modern diesel emissions systems. Delivery Appointment A scheduled time for a receiver to take delivery of a load. Detention Compensation requested when a truck is held too long at pickup or delivery after free time expires. Diesel Discount A reduction from a posted or benchmark diesel price through a fuel card or network. Dispatcher A person or service that helps assign loads, communicate details, and keep trucks moving. DOT Number A U.S. DOT identifier used for motor carrier safety tracking and registration. Double Nickel A CB phrase for 55 miles per hour. DPF Diesel particulate filter, an emissions component that captures soot from diesel exhaust. Dragon Wagon CB slang for a tow truck. Drayage A short truck move connected to ports, rail ramps, or containers. Drive Axle An axle powered by the drivetrain to move the tractor. Driver Assist A load requirement where the driver helps with loading, unloading, pallet jacks, or count checks. Driver Qualification File A carrier file containing required driver qualification records. Drop and Hook A trailer exchange where the driver drops one trailer and hooks to another instead of waiting through live loading. Drop Trailer A trailer left at a shipper or receiver to be loaded, unloaded, or picked up later. Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse FMCSA's database for certain commercial driver drug and alcohol program records. Dry Van An enclosed non-refrigerated trailer used for many general freight loads. Duty Status A driver log category such as driving, on duty, off duty, or sleeper berth.
E
E-Track A rail system inside some trailers for attaching straps and securement devices. EFS A common shorthand for electronic funds or fuel-related payment systems in trucking. ELD Electronic logging device, equipment used to record driver hours-of-service data. Empty Miles Miles driven without freight, often used interchangeably with deadhead miles. ETA Estimated time of arrival, the projected arrival time at pickup or delivery. ETD Estimated time of departure, the projected departure time from a location. Evel Knievel CB slang sometimes used for a motorcycle officer or motorcycle rider.
F
Factoring Fee The charge a factor keeps for advancing and collecting on an invoice. Fifth Wheel The coupling plate on a tractor that connects to a trailer kingpin. Fixed Cost A cost that tends to stay due whether the truck runs many miles or sits, such as insurance or a truck payment. Flatbed An open-deck trailer used for freight that may be loaded from the top or sides. Fleet Card A payment card program designed for business vehicle expenses and controls. FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal agency overseeing motor carrier safety. Four-Wheeler A passenger car or light vehicle. Freight Broker A licensed intermediary that arranges freight between shippers and motor carriers. Freight Class An LTL rating category tied to shipment characteristics such as density and handling. Freight Factoring Selling freight invoices to a factoring company for faster payment, minus agreed fees. Front Door Traffic or conditions ahead of a driver or convoy. FTL Full truckload, freight that uses or is priced as a full trailer. Fuel Advance An early advance intended to help cover fuel before the load is delivered or invoiced. Fuel Card A card or account used to buy diesel, DEF, reefer fuel, and related purchases under fleet controls. Fuel Controls Limits on card purchases, such as gallons, products, locations, driver IDs, or time windows. Fuel Island The fueling area at a truck stop where commercial trucks buy diesel, DEF, and related products. Fuel Network The truck stops and fueling locations where a fuel card is accepted or discounted. Fuel Surcharge A charge meant to offset fuel cost changes, usually shown separately or built into the rate. Fuel Surcharge Schedule A formula or table used to adjust freight charges when diesel prices change. Fuel Tax Tax connected to motor fuel use, often tracked by jurisdiction for interstate trucking. Full Grown Bear CB slang for a state trooper or higher-profile patrol officer. Full Truckload A shipment that uses a full trailer or is priced as a full trailer move.
G
GAWR Gross axle weight rating, the maximum weight rating for a specific axle. GCWR Gross combined weight rating, the maximum rating for the power unit and trailer combination. General Liability Business liability coverage for certain non-auto claims, depending on the policy. Glad Hands Air-line connectors that link the tractor's air system to the trailer. Good Buddy An older CB phrase for another radio user; context and region can change how it is received. Granny Lane The right or slower lane on a highway. Gross Revenue Total money earned before expenses are subtracted. GVWR Gross vehicle weight rating, the maximum loaded weight rating for a vehicle.
H
Hammer Lane The left or passing lane on a highway. Hazmat Endorsement A CDL endorsement required for certain hazardous materials transportation. Headache Rack A rack behind the cab used on some trucks to store gear and help shield the cab. Headhaul The primary outbound direction on a lane, often the higher-demand side of a freight market. HMR Hazardous Materials Regulations, rules governing certain hazmat transportation. HOS Hours of service, the rules limiting and tracking commercial driver work and driving time. Hundred Dollar Lane A lane where a driver risks a ticket, often tied to restricted or passing lanes.
I
IFTA International Fuel Tax Agreement, a system for reporting fuel use by jurisdiction. Intermodal Freight that moves by more than one mode, commonly rail and truck. Invoice Factoring A financing method where a business sells invoices for earlier cash flow. IRP International Registration Plan, a registration system for apportioned commercial vehicle plates.
K
L
Landing Gear The retractable trailer legs that support a trailer when it is not connected to a tractor. Lane A regular origin-and-destination pair, such as Dallas to Atlanta. Layover Pay for a driver or truck delayed overnight or for a substantial period because the load cannot move as planned. Less Than Truckload Freight that shares trailer space with other shipments and moves through an LTL network. Level 1 Inspection A detailed roadside inspection level that includes driver documents and vehicle components. Liftgate A platform lift on a truck or trailer used to raise or lower freight at locations without a dock. Linehaul The base charge for moving freight between origin and destination, before many extra fees. Live Load A pickup where the driver waits while freight is loaded onto the trailer. Live Unload A delivery where the driver waits while the receiver unloads the trailer. Load Bar An adjustable bar used inside trailers to help keep freight from shifting. Load Board A marketplace where brokers, shippers, and carriers post available freight or truck capacity. Load Tender A formal offer or assignment of a load with the shipment details and requirements. Loaded Miles Miles driven while hauling the paying load. Long Haul Freight that moves over a long distance and usually requires one or more overnight periods. Loss Run A report showing a business's insurance claims history for a period. Lowboy A very low deck trailer used for tall or heavy equipment loads. LTL Less than truckload, freight that shares trailer space with other shipments. Lumper Fee A fee paid to a third-party unloading service, often at grocery or warehouse receivers.
M
MC Number A motor carrier number tied to certain operating authority records. MCS-150 A motor carrier identification report used for registration and periodic updates. MCS-90 An endorsement connected to motor carrier public liability financial responsibility requirements. Medical Card Proof that a commercial driver met medical certification requirements for driving a CMV. Motor Carrier A business that transports passengers or property by commercial motor vehicle. Motor Truck Cargo Coverage for freight being hauled by the carrier, subject to exclusions and limits.
N
Net Profit Money left after operating expenses, fixed costs, and other business costs are paid. New Entrant Safety Audit A safety review for new interstate motor carriers during their early operating period. No-Touch Freight Freight the driver is not expected to load, unload, or handle by hand. Non-Recourse Factoring Factoring that may shift certain nonpayment risk to the factor, subject to contract limits. Non-Trucking Liability Liability coverage for certain personal or non-business use of a truck when not under dispatch. Notice of Assignment A notice telling the broker or shipper to pay the factoring company instead of the carrier.
O
Occupational Accident Accident coverage often used by independent contractors, not the same as workers compensation. Odometer Prompt A card terminal request for current mileage before a fuel purchase is approved. Off Duty Driver time relieved from work responsibility and not performing carrier work. On-Duty Not Driving Time when a driver is working but not driving, such as loading checks or inspections. OOS Out of service, a status that can stop a driver or vehicle from operating until an issue is corrected. Operating Authority Permission tied to the type of regulated transportation a company may perform. Operating Ratio Operating expenses divided by operating revenue, used to see how much revenue is being consumed by costs. OS&D Over, short, and damaged, a freight exception category for count or condition problems. Owner-Operator A truck driver who owns or leases the truck and runs as an independent business or under a carrier.
P
Pallet Exchange A requirement to swap equal pallets at pickup or delivery rather than leave pallets behind. Parking Lot A traffic jam or stopped highway. Partial Truckload Freight that uses part of a trailer but is usually larger than standard LTL freight. Personal Conveyance Off-duty movement of a commercial motor vehicle for personal use when conditions are met. Physical Damage Coverage for damage to the insured truck or trailer itself, subject to policy terms. Pickup Window A time range when the truck is allowed or expected to arrive for pickup. Plain Wrapper An unmarked police vehicle. POD Proof of delivery, the signed or recorded evidence that freight was delivered. Policy Limit The maximum amount an insurance policy may pay for a covered loss. Power Only A trucking move where the carrier provides the tractor and hauls someone else's trailer. Practical Miles Route miles based on reasonable truck routing rather than straight-line distance. Premium The price paid for insurance coverage. Primary Liability Liability coverage for bodily injury or property damage caused by the truck in covered operations. PTO Power take-off, a system that transfers engine power to auxiliary equipment. Pump Price The posted retail price shown at the fuel island before any account discount.
R
Rate Confirmation A broker or shipper document that confirms the agreed rate, pickup and delivery details, and load requirements. Rate Per Mile The freight rate divided by miles, used to compare load revenue against the distance moved. Recourse Factoring Factoring where the carrier may be responsible if the customer does not pay. Reefer A refrigerated trailer used for temperature-controlled freight. Reefer Fuel Diesel used by a refrigerated trailer unit rather than the tractor engine. Reefer Unit The refrigeration system mounted on a reefer trailer. Reserve Part of the invoice amount held back until payment is collected or conditions are met. Retail-minus Discount Fuel card pricing shown as a discount from the posted retail pump price. Roadside Inspection An inspection of a commercial vehicle, driver, or paperwork conducted on the road or at a facility. RODS Records of duty status, the driver log record for work, driving, off-duty, and sleeper time. Rolling Roadblock Slow moving traffic across multiple lanes. RPM Revenue per mile, a way to compare how much money a truck earns per mile.
S
Same-Day Funding Funding sent on the same business day when paperwork and cutoffs are met. Schedule of Accounts A list of invoices submitted to a factor for purchase or funding. Shipper The party that sends freight from the pickup location. Short Haul Freight that moves a relatively short distance, often within a region or same day market. Sleeper Berth The sleeper compartment in a truck and a log status used for qualifying rest periods. Sleeper Cab A tractor cab with a sleeping compartment behind the driver seats. Smokey Another CB term for law enforcement, especially highway patrol. Solo Driver One driver assigned to a truck, with trip planning limited by that driver's available hours. Split Sleeper A way to split qualifying sleeper berth rest periods under HOS rules. Spot Factoring Factoring selected invoices rather than committing all invoices under one program. Spot Rate A one-time freight price based on current market conditions. Steer Axle The front axle that supports the cab area and steers the tractor. Step Deck An open-deck trailer with a lower main deck for taller freight. Supporting Documents Business documents used to support or verify a driver's records of duty status.
T
Tandem Axle Two axles grouped close together to support weight on a tractor or trailer. Tarp A heavy cover used to protect flatbed freight from weather and road debris. Team Driving A setup where two drivers operate one truck so freight can keep moving with shorter stops. Terminal Audit A review of carrier records, policies, or operations, often connected to safety compliance. TL Truckload, a freight move using a full trailer or priced like one. TMS Transportation management system, software used to manage freight moves and records. TONU Truck ordered not used, a charge requested when a truck is booked but the load is canceled after dispatch. Tractor The powered truck unit that pulls a semi-trailer. Trailer The unpowered freight-carrying unit pulled by a tractor. Trailer Interchange Coverage for non-owned trailers under a trailer interchange agreement. Transloading Moving freight from one mode or trailer type into another during the shipment journey. Truck Stop Network A group of truck stop brands or locations tied to card acceptance, discounts, or services. TWIC Transportation Worker Identification Credential, a credential used for access to certain secure facilities.
U
UCC Filing A public financing statement that may show a secured interest in business receivables or assets. UCR Unified Carrier Registration, an annual registration program for many interstate carriers and related businesses. Underwriting The process insurers use to evaluate risk and set coverage terms or pricing. USDOT United States Department of Transportation, often seen in trucking registration and safety records.