94+ Terms Defined

Trucking Glossary

From factoring to FMCSA, TONU to TWIC—every trucking term explained in plain English. The complete reference for owner operators.

Trucking industry glossary - essential terms for owner operators and truck drivers — Your complete reference to trucking terminology and industry jargon

Jump to:Payment & Financial Regulatory & Compliance Industry & Business Equipment & Trailers CB Radio & Trucker Slang

Payment & Financial

20 terms

Factoring

Selling invoices for immediate payment

QuickPay

Fast payment option from brokers (1-3 days)

Comcheck

Express code payment system for truckers

EFS

Electronic Funds Source fuel cards & checks

Lumper Fee

Warehouse unloading charges

Detention Pay

Payment for waiting time

Layover Pay

Overnight wait compensation

TONU

Truck Ordered Not Used fee

Accessorial Charges

Extra service fees

Fuel Surcharge

Fuel cost adjustment fee

DOE Diesel Index

Government diesel price benchmark

Deadhead

Driving without a load

Rate Confirmation

Load agreement document

Cost Per Mile

Operating expense calculation

Fuel Advance

Upfront fuel money from brokers

Fuel Advance Fee

Fee charged for fuel advances

Deadhead Cost

Cost of driving empty miles

Deadhead vs Empty Miles

Key differences explained

Broker Credit Score

Broker payment reliability rating

Freight Factoring

Invoice financing for carriers

Regulatory & Compliance

20 terms

MC Authority

Motor Carrier operating authority

DOT Number

Federal identification number

FMCSA

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

BOC-3

Process agent designation

UCR

Unified Carrier Registration

IRP

International Registration Plan

PSP Report

Pre-Employment Screening Program

SAFER System

FMCSA carrier lookup tool

IFTA

International Fuel Tax Agreement

Hours of Service

Driving time regulations

ELD

Electronic Logging Device

CSA Score

Carrier safety rating

Bill of Lading

Shipping document

TWIC Card

Transportation Worker ID

Hazmat Endorsement

Hazardous materials CDL endorsement

Tanker Endorsement

Tank vehicle CDL endorsement

GVWR

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating

Bobtail Insurance

Non-dispatch coverage

Non-Trucking Liability

Personal use coverage

Proof of Delivery

Delivery confirmation document

Industry & Business

19 terms

Freight Broker

Load intermediary

Dispatcher

Load coordinator

Owner Operator

Independent truck owner

Load Board

Freight marketplace

Double Brokering

Illegal load reselling

Spot Market

Real-time freight pricing

Dedicated Lane

Regular route contract

Contract Freight

Freight under long-term agreements

OTR Trucking

Over-the-road long haul

Team Driving

Two-driver operation

Slip-Seating

Shared truck operation

Carrier

Company that transports freight

Shipper

Party that sends freight

Consignee

Party that receives freight

Lease Operator

Leased-on independent driver

Company Driver

W-2 employed truck driver

DAT Load Board

Largest digital freight marketplace

Truckstop Load Board

Major freight matching platform

Amazon Relay

Amazon's freight hauling app

Equipment & Trailers

20 terms

Dry Van

Enclosed box trailer

Reefer

Refrigerated trailer

Flatbed

Open deck trailer

Step Deck

Drop deck trailer

Power Only

Tractor without trailer

Hotshot

Expedited small loads

Bobtail

Truck without trailer

Drop and Hook

Trailer swap operation

Intermodal

Multi-mode transport

Sleeper Cab

Truck with sleeping area

Box Truck

Enclosed cargo vehicle

Chassis

Trailer frame for containers

Conestoga

Rolling tarp trailer

Day Cab

Truck without sleeper

Live Load/Unload

Driver waits during loading

Load Lock

Cargo securing bar

Lowboy

Low-deck heavy haul trailer

Pallet Jack

Manual freight mover

RGN Trailer

Removable gooseneck trailer

Tanker Trailer

Liquid/gas hauling trailer

CB Radio & Trucker Slang

15 terms

Bear

Police officer (CB slang)

Chicken Coop

Weigh station

Hammer Down

Drive fast / accelerate

Alligator

Tire debris on road

10-4

Acknowledgment / yes

CB Handle

Trucker's radio nickname

Grossed Out

At maximum legal weight

Georgia Overdrive

Coasting in neutral

Lot Lizard

Truck stop solicitor

Greasy Side Up

Overturned vehicle

Wiggle Wagon

Doubles/triples trailer

Skateboard

Flatbed trailer

Flip-Flop

Return trip / turn around

Travel Agent

Dispatcher (CB slang)

Hot Load

Urgent time-sensitive shipment

Broker Verification Guide

How to vet brokers before booking loads

Rate Negotiation Guide

Get better rates on every load

Owner Operator Costs

True cost of running your truck

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