Trucking Glossary

A semi-truck and trailer combination with 18 wheels total, typically 10 on the tractor and 8 on the trailer, used for commercial freight transport.

Additional fees beyond the basic freight rate for extra services like detention, layover, fuel surcharges, or special handling requirements.

A load picked up for the return trip after making a delivery, helping to generate revenue on what would otherwise be deadhead miles.

A legal document issued by a carrier that details the type, quantity, and destination of goods being transported, serving as a receipt and contract.

A semi-truck tractor operating without a trailer attached, typically when traveling to pick up a load, repositioning between loads, or returning after delivery.

Liability insurance coverage for owner-operators when driving their tractor without a trailer, typically when not under dispatch but still in business use.

A state-issued federal license required to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) over 26,000 lbs, vehicles carrying 16+ passengers, or hazmat vehicles for commercial purposes.

A federal permit allowing individuals to practice driving commercial motor vehicles under direct CDL holder supervision while training to obtain their full CDL.

Cost Per Mile (CPM) is the total operating cost of running a truck divided by all miles driven, used to understand true costs and set profitable rates.

FMCSA's data-driven safety enforcement program that uses the Safety Measurement System (SMS) to quantify motor carrier and driver safety performance through roadside inspections, crashes, and investigations.

A standardized roadside inspection conducted by certified inspectors following Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance protocols to check driver and vehicle compliance with federal safety regulations.

The highest class of Commercial Driver's License, required to operate combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001+ pounds where the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 pounds GVWR.

A Commercial Driver's License required to operate single vehicles with GVWR of 26,001+ pounds, or such vehicles towing trailers not exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR.

A Commercial Driver's License for vehicles under 26,001 lbs GVWR designed to transport 16+ passengers (including driver) or carry placarded hazardous materials.

A unique identifier assigned by FMCSA to commercial motor carriers operating vehicles over 10,001 lbs, transporting passengers for hire, or hauling hazmat in interstate commerce.

Driving a truck with an empty trailer, typically after completing a delivery and traveling to pick up the next load, generating no revenue while incurring operating costs.

Time a truck and driver are held at a shipper or receiver beyond agreed free time (usually 2 hours), resulting in hourly detention charges to compensate for lost productive time.

The coordination and management of drivers and loads, including assigning freight, planning routes, tracking shipments, and communicating with drivers throughout the transportation process.

A freight operation where a driver drops off one trailer and immediately hooks to another pre-staged trailer at the same facility, eliminating wait time for loading/unloading.

A fully enclosed, non-refrigerated box trailer used for transporting dry, non-perishable freight that doesn't require temperature control.

A device that connects to commercial vehicles to automatically record driving time and Hours of Service data, required by FMCSA for most CMV operators to replace paper logbooks.

Federal FMCSA training standard required for first-time Class A/B CDL applicants, CDL upgrades, and certain endorsements, mandating completion with registered providers before testing.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration - the U.S. Department of Transportation agency that regulates commercial motor vehicle safety and interstate trucking operations.

A financial service where trucking companies sell their invoices to a third party (factor) at a discount in exchange for immediate payment, typically within 24 hours instead of waiting 30-60+ days.

An open trailer with a flat, level deck and no sides, roof, or enclosure, used for transporting oversized loads, construction materials, and heavy equipment.

A CDL endorsement (code H) required to transport hazardous materials that require DOT placarding under federal regulations.

Federal FMCSA regulations in 49 CFR Part 395 that limit commercial motor vehicle drivers' driving and on-duty time to prevent fatigue-related crashes.

An agreement among 48 U.S. states and 10 Canadian provinces that allows commercial motor carriers to report fuel use taxes through a single base jurisdiction instead of filing separately in each state or province.

A registration reciprocity agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces allowing interstate carriers to pay apportioned fees based on distance traveled in each jurisdiction.

A dangerous truck accident where the tractor-trailer folds at the fifth wheel, with the trailer swinging toward the cab, resembling a partially opened pocketknife.

An online marketplace where shippers, brokers, and carriers post and search for available freight loads and trucks to negotiate and book transportation services.

A third-party worker hired to load or unload freight at warehouses, typically paid by the driver or carrier and then reimbursed by the shipper or receiver.

Motor Carrier Number issued by FMCSA that grants operating authority for interstate for-hire carriers to transport regulated commodities or passengers for compensation across state lines.

A formal legal order by enforcement officials prohibiting a driver or vehicle from operating until critical safety violations are corrected.

An independent truck driver who owns their own truck and operates as a small business, either hauling freight directly or leasing to a carrier.

A daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses that truck drivers receive or claim when away from home overnight for work.

A mandatory safety inspection performed by CDL drivers at the end of each workday to identify defects that developed during operation and complete a DVIR when safety issues are found.

A systematic safety check of a commercial motor vehicle performed by the driver before each trip to ensure the vehicle is safe to operate and compliant with federal regulations.

A refrigerated trailer equipped with a cooling unit to transport temperature-sensitive cargo like food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishables at controlled temperatures from -20°F to 70°F.

When a truck tips onto its side or roof, often caused by excessive speed in curves, improper load securement, or sudden steering maneuvers.

The powered tractor unit of a tractor-trailer combination that pulls semi-trailers via a fifth-wheel coupling, carrying only part of the load weight.

A semi-truck cab equipped with a sleeping compartment behind the driver's seat, allowing drivers to rest during long-haul trips while complying with hours-of-service regulations.

The current market price for moving freight on a specific lane at a given time, determined by real-time supply and demand conditions in the spot market.

A CDL endorsement (code N) required to drive any commercial vehicle that transports liquid or gaseous materials in bulk tanks with individual capacity over 119 gallons and aggregate capacity of 1,000+ gallons.

A cylindrical tank mounted on a trailer frame, designed to transport liquids, gases, or dry bulk materials in large quantities.

A checkpoint on highways where commercial vehicles are required to stop for weight verification and safety inspections to protect road infrastructure and ensure compliance.