Trucking Glossary
65 essential trucking terms explained in plain English.
Business
Lease-Purchase Agreement
A financing arrangement where a carrier leases a truck to a driver with option to purchase.
MC Number (Motor Carrier Number)
An operating authority number required for carriers engaged in interstate commerce.
Operating Authority
FMCSA-granted permission to operate as a for-hire motor carrier.
Bobtail Insurance
Insurance coverage for operating a tractor without a trailer attached.
W-2 vs 1099 (Employee vs Contractor)
The tax classification difference between company drivers and independent contractors.
Cargo
Equipment
Sleeper Berth
The sleeping compartment behind the cab of an OTR truck.
Fifth Wheel
The coupling device on a tractor that connects to a trailer's kingpin.
Tandems
The rear axle assembly on a trailer that can be slid forward or back to distribute weight.
Reefer (Refrigerated Trailer)
A temperature-controlled trailer used to transport perishable goods.
Dry Van
A fully enclosed, non-temperature-controlled trailer — the most common trailer type.
Flatbed Trailer
An open trailer with no sides or roof, used for oversized or irregularly shaped cargo.
Cabover (COE)
A truck design where the cab sits over the engine, rather than behind it.
Jake Brake (Engine Brake)
A compression-release braking system that uses the engine to slow the truck.
Industry
Job Types
OTR (Over-the-Road)
Long-haul trucking that crosses state lines, typically 2-3 weeks away from home.
Owner-Operator
A truck driver who owns or leases their own truck and operates as an independent business.
Regional Driving
Trucking routes within a multi-state area, typically home weekly.
Local Driving
Trucking jobs within a 100-200 mile radius of home, typically home daily.
Home Time
The schedule of when a driver returns home between driving assignments.
Relay Driving
A driving arrangement where multiple drivers move the same load in segments.
Team Driving
Two drivers sharing one truck, alternating driving and sleeping to keep the truck moving 24/7.
Dedicated Route
A fixed freight route between the same locations on a regular schedule.
Licensing
CDL (Commercial Driver's License)
A license required to operate large commercial vehicles.
DOT Medical Card
A certificate proving you meet the physical requirements to operate a commercial vehicle.
CDL Endorsement
Additional certifications added to a CDL that permit hauling specific cargo types.
Tanker Endorsement (N)
A CDL endorsement required to drive tank vehicles carrying liquid or gas.
TWIC Card
A security credential required for unescorted access to maritime facilities and vessels.
DAC Report
An employment history report used by trucking companies to verify a driver's work record.
Operations
Deadhead Miles
Miles driven with an empty trailer, generating no revenue.
Bobtail
Driving a tractor without a trailer attached.
Load Board
An online marketplace where shippers post available freight and carriers find loads.
Drop and Hook
Dropping a loaded trailer and picking up a pre-loaded one, minimizing wait time.
Live Load / Live Unload
Waiting at a facility while your trailer is loaded or unloaded.
Lumper Fee
A fee paid to third-party workers who load or unload freight at warehouses.
Dispatch
The department or service that assigns loads and routes to drivers.
Intermodal
Freight transportation using multiple modes (truck + rail/ship) with standardized containers.
Drayage
Short-distance hauling of shipping containers between ports, rail yards, and warehouses.
ComCheck / T-Check
A payment system used by carriers to reimburse drivers for fuel and expenses on the road.
Forced Dispatch
A carrier policy that assigns loads to drivers without allowing them to refuse.
No-Touch Freight
Loads where the driver is not required to load or unload the cargo.
Pay
CPM (Cents Per Mile)
The standard pay rate metric for truck drivers.
Detention Pay
Compensation for time spent waiting at a shipper or receiver beyond a free period.
Per Diem
Daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses while away from home.
Spot Rate
The current market price for moving a specific load, negotiated on-the-spot.
Accessorial Pay
Additional compensation for services beyond basic freight transportation.
Settlement (Pay Statement)
A driver's detailed pay statement showing earnings, deductions, and net pay.
Contract Rate
A pre-negotiated freight rate between a shipper and carrier for a set period.
Fuel Surcharge
An additional charge added to freight rates to offset fluctuating diesel fuel costs.
Sign-On Bonus
A cash incentive paid to drivers for joining a new carrier.
Regulations
ELD (Electronic Logging Device)
A device that electronically records driving time and Hours of Service.
HOS (Hours of Service)
FMCSA regulations limiting how long drivers can operate commercial vehicles.
FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
The federal agency that regulates the trucking industry.
CSA Score
A safety measurement system that tracks carrier and driver safety performance.
34-Hour Restart
A provision allowing drivers to reset their weekly HOS clock by taking 34 consecutive hours off.
DOT Inspection
A roadside safety inspection conducted by federal or state enforcement officers.
IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement)
A tax agreement that simplifies fuel tax reporting for trucks operating in multiple states.
UCR (Unified Carrier Registration)
An annual registration and fee required for interstate motor carriers.
Federal Bridge Law
Regulations governing maximum weight allowed on a truck's axle groups based on spacing.
Scale House (Weigh Station)
A facility where commercial vehicles are weighed and inspected for compliance.