- Accessorial
- An extra charge on top of the linehaul rate, such as detention, layover, lumper, tarping or stop-off pay.
- Backhaul
- A load in the direction where freight is scarce, usually paying less than the headhaul.
- Bill of lading (BOL)
- The shipper's receipt and shipping record for a load. Signed at pickup and again at delivery.
- Bobtail
- A tractor driving without a trailer.
- BOC-3
- The filing that names process agents in each state for a carrier, broker or freight forwarder.
- Bona fide agent
- A person acting under a motor carrier's direction and control as part of its organisation. Whether a dispatch arrangement qualifies depends on the facts.
- Broker
- A company that arranges transportation of freight for compensation and is not itself the carrier. Needs broker authority and financial security.
- Carrier
- The company with operating authority that hauls the freight.
- Check call
- A scheduled update between the driver, dispatcher and broker about the status of a load.
- Consignee
- The receiver of the freight at the delivery location.
- CSA
- Compliance, Safety, Accountability. FMCSA's programme that scores carriers on safety behaviour.
- Deadhead
- Miles driven empty, with no paying freight. Usually between a delivery and the next pickup.
- Detention
- Payment for time the truck waits at a shipper or receiver beyond the free time stated in the agreement.
- Dispatcher
- A person who finds, books and manages loads for a carrier's trucks.
- DOT number
- The USDOT number that identifies a carrier for safety and compliance records.
- Drop and hook
- Dropping a trailer at a facility and hooking to a different one that is already loaded, to avoid waiting.
- ELD
- Electronic logging device that records driving time for hours of service.
- Factoring
- Selling invoices to a finance company for immediate cash in exchange for a fee.
- FCFS
- First come, first served. A pickup or delivery window rather than a fixed appointment.
- FMCSA
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the federal regulator for commercial trucking.
- FTL
- Full truckload. One shipper's freight uses the trailer's space or weight.
- Fuel surcharge
- An extra amount added to the rate to offset fuel price changes.
- Headhaul
- A load in the direction where freight is plentiful and rates are higher.
- HOS
- Hours of service. The rules limiting how long drivers can drive and be on duty.
- Hotshot
- Expedited or smaller-load hauling with a pickup-style truck and gooseneck or similar trailer.
- IFTA
- International Fuel Tax Agreement. Fuel tax reporting across states for qualifying vehicles.
- IRP
- International Registration Plan. Apportioned registration across states.
- Lane
- A route between two areas, such as Atlanta to Dallas.
- Layover
- Waiting overnight or longer for a pickup or delivery, sometimes paid by agreement.
- Linehaul
- The base charge for moving the freight from origin to destination, excluding extras.
- Load board
- An online marketplace where brokers and shippers post freight and carriers search for it.
- LTL
- Less than truckload. Several shippers' freight shares a trailer.
- Lumper
- A third-party worker who unloads freight at a facility, for a fee.
- MC number
- Motor carrier number, representing operating authority for for-hire interstate transport.
- Operating authority
- FMCSA permission to haul regulated freight for hire across state lines.
- Owner-operator
- A driver who owns or leases their truck and usually operates under their own authority or a leased one.
- POD
- Proof of delivery. The BOL signed by the receiver.
- Power only
- A tractor and driver hauling a trailer supplied by someone else.
- Quick pay
- A faster payment option from a broker for a discount from the invoice.
- Rate confirmation
- The broker-carrier agreement for one load, stating the rate, route and terms.
- Reefer
- A refrigerated trailer or the freight hauled in one.
- Reload
- A load picked up near where the truck just delivered.
- SAFER
- FMCSA's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records system for looking up carrier information.
- Spot market
- Freight priced load by load at current market rates, as opposed to contract rates.
- Step deck
- A flatbed with a lower deck for taller freight.
- Stop-off
- An additional pickup or delivery on a load, often paid as an extra.
- Tarp
- A cover used on flatbed freight to protect it from weather.
- TMS
- Transportation management system. Software to manage loads, trucks, documents and invoicing.
- TONU
- Truck ordered, not used. A fee paid when a load is cancelled after the truck is committed.
- UCR
- Unified Carrier Registration. An annual registration programme for interstate carriers and brokers.
Educational material only. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and nothing here promises any level of income. Regulations, fees and market conditions change, so confirm current requirements with FMCSA and a qualified professional.