Per Diem
Daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses while away from home.
Definition
Per diem in trucking is a daily allowance for meal expenses while a driver is away from their tax home. The IRS per diem rate for transportation workers is $69/day (2026). Some carriers pay per diem as a separate non-taxable payment (reducing your gross pay but lowering taxes), while others include it in your CPM rate. Per diem reduces taxable income but also reduces Social Security contributions.
FAQ
What does Per Diem mean?
Daily allowance for meals and incidental expenses while away from home.
Why is Per Diem important for truck drivers?
Understanding per diem is essential for truck drivers because it directly impacts your daily operations, pay, or compliance. Per diem in trucking is a daily allowance for meal expenses while a driver is away from their tax home. The IRS per diem rate for transportation workers is $69/day (2026).