Introduction
The trucking industry is filled with unique terminology, acronyms, and technical phrases that might seem overwhelming to newcomers. For truck drivers, fleet managers, and anyone working within the logistics sector, understanding these terms is crucial for smooth communication and efficient operations. To help you navigate the complex world of trucking, we have compiled an A-Z list of common trucking terms or say trucking lingo. Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned veteran, this glossary will serve as a handy resource for all your trucking terminology needs.
List of A-Z Trucking Terms
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) – A safety system that prevents the wheels from locking during braking, allowing drivers to maintain steering control.
Axle Weight – The amount of weight carried by each axle of the truck; is important for compliance with weight regulations.
Adverse Driving Conditions – Non-typical traffic and road conditions that were not apparent at the time of dispatch.Â
B
Bill of Lading – A legal document between a shipper and carrier detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being transported.
Bobtail – Operating a tractor without a trailer attached; often seen when drivers are en route to pick up a load.
BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) – Technology intended to provide considerably reduced power consumption and cost while maintaining a similar communication range.
C
Cab – The part of the truck where the driver sits and controls the vehicle.
Chassis – A framework or base on which trailers and containers are mounted for transportation.
CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) – A license that allows a driver to operate large, heavy, or hazardous material vehicles.
CSA Score – A Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) score; is a percentile ranking used to compare and identify high-risk motor carriers and drivers.
CMV (Commercial Motor Vehicle) – A vehicle used for business purposes to transport passengers or property.
D
Deadhead – Traveling without a load, typically when a truck returns empty after delivering a shipment.
Dock – The platform where trucks are loaded or unloaded with goods.
Driving Window – The amount of drive time allowed for truck drivers.
DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) – A five-digit code that helps identify and diagnose issues in a vehicle.
DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report) – A document that drivers fill out to record the condition of a commercial vehicle before and after each trip.Â
E
ELD (Electronic Logging Device) – A device that automatically records driving time to ensure compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) – The projected time when a truck is expected to reach its destination.
ECU (Electronic Control Unit) – A small device inside a vehicle that controls one or several electrical systems in that vehicle.
F
FMS (Fleet Management System) – A software program that helps manage a company’s fleet of vehicles, equipment, and drivers.
FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) – A US government body that sets rules intended to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities caused by commercial motor vehicles.
Fifth Wheel – A coupling device mounted on a truck that connects the tractor to the trailer.
Flatbed – A type of trailer with a flat loading surface, typically used for transporting large or oversized loads.
G
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – The maximum permissible weight of a truck or trailer, including cargo, fuel, and passengers.
Gear Ratio – The ratio between the speed of the engine and the rotation of the wheels, is important for fuel efficiency and speed.
H
HOS (Hours of Service) – Regulations that govern the maximum number of hours a truck driver can be on duty and drive, ensuring road safety.
Hazmat – Hazardous materials that require special handling, training, and documentation for transportation.
HOS Compliance – The practice of following federal regulations that limit the hours a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) driver can work.
I
IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement) – A system for tracking and reporting fuel use by motor carriers operating across multiple states or provinces.
Intermodal – The movement of freight using multiple modes of transportation, such as rail, ship, and truck.
Interstate Commerce – Interstate commerce is the exchange of goods, services, money, or information across state lines or from foreign countries.
J
Jackknife – A situation where the trailer swings out and forms an acute angle with the truck, often caused by loss of traction during braking.
Jake Brake – A type of brake in diesel engines that uses compression to slow a vehicle down without having to use service brakes. Both can be used in downhill slides.
K
Kingpin – A pin on the trailer that locks into the fifth wheel of the tractor, enabling the tractor to tow the trailer.
Knock Off – A term used when a load is delivered earlier than expected.
L
LCV (Long Combination Vehicle) – A combination of multiple trailers being pulled by a single tractor, allowing for increased cargo capacity.
LTL (Less than Truckload) – A shipping method used when freight doesn’t require a full trailer, allowing multiple shipments to be combined.
M
Manifest – A document listing the cargo, passengers, or goods being transported, required by customs for international shipments.
Mud Flaps – Protective flaps behind the wheels of a truck to prevent debris from hitting other vehicles.
N
No-Zone – The blind spots around a truck where other vehicles are not visible to the truck driver.
Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) – A pollutant emitted by trucks and other diesel vehicles, regulated to reduce environmental impact.
Non-CMV – Vehicles that are only used for transportation, not for commerce.
O
Over-the-Road (OTR) – Long-haul trucking that involves transporting freight over long distances, often across state lines.
Owner-Operator – A truck driver who owns and operates their truck, often working independently or leasing to a carrier.
OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) – A system that monitors a vehicle’s components to ensure it runs clean and efficiently.
OFF-Duty – Time during which a commercial driver isn’t driving or performing any job duties.
ON-Duty – On-duty time in trucking is any time a driver is working or required to be ready to work for a carrier, whether paid or unpaid.
Out of Service (OOS) – A vehicle or driver that is unable to operate, either temporarily or permanently.
P
Pallet – A flat structure used to support goods stably while being lifted by forklifts or jacks.
Payload – The weight of the cargo being transported by a truck, excluding the weight of the vehicle itself.
PTO (Power Take-Off Control Module) – A power take-off (PTO) is a mechanical device that transfers power from an engine to another piece of equipment that doesn’t have its own engine or motor.
Q
Qualcomm – A communication system used in trucks to track vehicle location, send messages, and provide other operational data.
Quick Release – A mechanism allowing drivers to disconnect the trailer from the tractor quickly and safely.
R
Reefer – A refrigerated trailer used for transporting perishable goods such as food and pharmaceuticals.
RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) – A measure of how fast the engine or wheels are rotating, important for fuel efficiency and performance.
Rest period – Time during which the driver cannot perform any driving-related duties.
Record of Duty Status – A record of duty status (RODS) is a log that drivers must keep to document their activities during a 24-hour period.
S
Slip Seat – A practice where multiple drivers use the same truck at different times, minimizing downtime and maximizing usage.
Sleeper Berth – Status used by truckers to get their off-duty hours while on the road.
Split Sleeper Berth – Allows the driver to split the 10 consecutive hours off-duty status requirement into 2 parts one of which must be at least 7 hours in off-duty status.
Safety Measurement System – The SMS uses data from roadside inspections and crash reports from the last two years, and data from investigations to identify and intervene with motor carriers that pose the greatest safety risk.
T
Tandem Axle – A pair of axles located close together on a truck or trailer to distribute weight more evenly.
Trailer – The part of a truck that carries the cargo, attached to the tractor via the fifth wheel.
U
Underride Guard – A safety feature on trucks to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding under the trailer in the event of a collision.
Unladen Weight – The weight of the vehicle without any cargo or passengers, also known as empty weight.
V
VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) )– A measurement of the total miles driven by all vehicles in a specific period.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) – A unique code used to identify individual vehicles, important for tracking and registration.
W
Weigh Station – A checkpoint where trucks are weighed to ensure they comply with legal weight limits.
Wet Line Kit – A hydraulic system installed on trucks to operate dump trailers, bulk trailers, or other specialty equipment.
X
X-Dock (Cross-Dock) – A practice where goods are unloaded from an inbound truck and directly loaded onto an outbound truck without storage in between.
Xpressway – A term used to describe high-speed highways or routes designed specifically for trucks and commercial vehicles.
Y
Yard Jockey – A truck driver responsible for moving trailers around a shipping yard or terminal.
Yield – The amount of profit or efficiency gained from an operation or transaction, often used in logistics to describe productivity.
Z
Zone Pricing – A pricing strategy that charges different rates for deliveries based on geographic zones or regions.
ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) –– A vehicle that produces no tailpipe emissions, part of the industry’s shift towards greener transportation options.
11-Hour Driving Limit – A property-carrying driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off-duty within 14 hours.
14-Hour Rule – A property-loaded driver cannot drive past the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty.
150-Air Mile Rule – This exemption dismisses a driver with a CDL from having to complete a daily log and have the supporting documents as long as they are within 150 miles of their daily starting point.
34-Hour Restart – A commercial driver’s way to quickly reset their hours when they are getting close to the maximum number of allowed on-duty hours
60-Hour Limit – Drivers carrying property are not allowed to drive after being on duty for 60/70 hours within 7/8 consecutive days. They can reset these 7/8 days by taking 34 consecutive hours off duty.
7/3 Split – A driver has to take a 7-hour sleeper berth and then an additional 3 hours in an off-duty status.
70-Hour Limit – Drivers carrying property are not allowed to drive after being on duty for 60/70 hours within 7/8 consecutive days. They can reset these 7/8 days by taking 34 consecutive hours off duty.
