The ABC’s of Trucking€¦ · CAPRI - Software used by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Safety Investigators to conduct a motor carrier compliance review. Carrier: Utilizes

The ABC’s of Trucking

© 2019 Craig Safety Technologies

Transportation Terminology

Experts believe the root cause of many communication issues stem from not all players

of the same industry using the same terminology. Think about that for a moment. Let’s use a

metaphor like football as an example. If someone from Ecuador came to America, and we

started talking about playing football they would probably think we were talking about soccer.

In any industry, using the same terminology can be the difference between success or

failure. It’s definitely true in the field of transportation terminology and logistics. Especially

because there are also so many acronyms associated with the business.

Whether you are new to the transportation industry, are a seasoned veteran, or just want to better understand transportation terminology, this comprehensive reference guide is

for you. The following is a list of widely used terms to help with deciphering bills, articles, and

acronyms made by transportation professionals and mainstream media in reference to

everything trucking.


ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) – Computer, sensors, and solenoid valves monitor wheel speed and modulate braking force if wheel lockup is sensed during braking. Helps drivers retain control of the vehicle during heavy braking on slippery roads.

Accessorial Charge - Amount billed for additional, supplemental or special services provided, usually a flat fee. Examples include: Tarps, dunnage, layovers, detention, etc.

Air Ride Suspension – Suspension supports the load on air-filled rubber bags rather than steel springs. Compressed air is supplied by the same engine-driven air compressor and reservoir tanks to provide air to the air brake system.

Anchor it – Apply brakes for an emergency stop.

Average Length of Haul - The average distance in miles between the pick-up and delivery points.

AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification) - An automatic vehicle identification system that is used to detect stolen vehicles and register electronic toll collections.

Axle - A support that holds wheels, brakes, and suspension. There are four types of axles – front, drive, rear, pusher, and tag.

Backhaul (Head haul) - The return movement of a transportation vehicle from its delivery

point back to its point of origin.

Bill of Lading (BOL) - Paper document between a shipper and carrier acknowledging the

receipt of goods for transport. This itemized list describes the nature of the cargo, amount of

cargo by weight, size and/or number of pieces, and the origin and destination of cargo.

Bobtail - Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck.

Broker (freight) - Individual or company that serves as a liaison between another individual/

company that needs shipping services and an authorized motor carrier. Determines the

needs of a shipper and connects that shipper with a carrier capable of transporting the items

at an acceptable price.


B

A

CAPRI - Software used by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Safety Investigators

to conduct a motor carrier compliance review. Carrier: Utilizes trucks and/or trailers to move goods from point A to point B.

Cartage Company – a company that provides local pick-up and delivery.

CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) – This license authorizes an individual to operate

commercial motor vehicles and buses over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

Compliance, Safety, and Accountability (CSA) - An FMCSA program designed to provide

motor carriers and drivers with attention from FMCSA and State Partners about their potential

safety problems with the ultimate goal of achieving a greater reduction in large truck and bus

crashes, injuries, and fatalities.

Container (Shipping Container) - Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight

by ship, rail or highway. International shipping containers are 20’ or 40’, conform to

International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships’ holds.

Domestic containers are up to 53’ long, of lighter construction and are designed for rail and highway use only.

Converter Dolly – Auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel (coupling device),

towed by a semitrailer and supporting the front of, and towing, another semitrailer.


C

DAC Services - Company that collects data and

issues reports about commercial drivers. The report falls into five main categories: MVR's from the state

that issues the individual's CDL; employment history;

credit report; results of past drug and alcohol tests;

and criminal records.

Dispatching - The scheduling and control of truck

pickup and delivery. Dead Heading: Operating a

commercial vehicle without a load to return home or

to pick up the next load.Detention/Demurrage - Charge by the carrier for excess retention of their equipment.

Typically caused by untimely loading or unloading.

D.O.T. Number - License administered to for-hire carriers by the Department of

Transportation. (Not the same as Motor Carrier #).

Electronic Clearance - The process that allows commercial vehicles to pass a checkpoint (e.g., weigh station) at mainline speeds without stopping to be checked for proper credentials, weight, and safety status.

Electronic Logs - Electronically captures Duty Status changes to provide a Record of Duty Status (RODS).

Electronic Logging Device - Electronic hardware that is attached to a CMV engine to capture and record driving hours.

Electronic Onboard Recorder (EOBR) - Electronic device that automatically monitors and records information on the performance of the vehicle and/or driver.

Exempt Carrier - Motor carrier engaged in for-hire transportation of commodities exempt from authority requirements of the FMCSA, generally unprocessed agricultural commodities or seafood.

Excess Value - Amount of declared value of a shipment that is above the carrier’s limit of liability.


E

D

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) - Operates within the D.O.T. with a

mission to prevent commercial motor-vehicle related fatalities and injuries by enforcing safety regulations and improving safety information systems.

Fifth Wheel - A coupling device attached to the front-end of a semitrailer.

For-Hire Carrier – Carrier the provides transportation service to the public on a fee basis.

Freight Class - In LTL shipping, the category of freight as defined by the National Motor

Freight Traffic Association. Identifies the size, value, and difficulty of transporting your freight. This determines the carrier’s shipping charges.

Freight Forwarder - Facilitates shipping of goods for a third party. Similar to a ‘Freight

Broker’ but typically handles international goods, is defined as a carrier and can be held

responsible for claims and loss of cargo.


F

Governor - A device which limits the maximum speed of a vehicle. Used by a great number

of trucking companies who want to save on fuel expenses, and limit accidents.

Gross Axle Weight Rating(GAWR) - The maximum weight axle rating.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) - The cumulative weight of a vehicle and its cargo.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) - The cumulative weight of a vehicle rated to carry

by the manufacturer.

Hazmat - Hazardous materials as classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA). Transport of hazardous material is strictly regulated by the US D.O.T.


G

H

Hot Shot - Smaller trailers that are pulled by larger pickup trucks. Typically 24-40’ in length and cannot handle as much weight as a regular tractor trailer. Common for moving smaller loads or LTL shipments.

Hours of Service (HOS) - Regulations that put limits for when and how long drivers may drive.

Hub Miles - Refers to the actual amount of miles a driver runs as per the odometer.

Interstate - (Driving) between 2 or more states.

Intrastate - (Driving) within a state.

Irregular Route Common Carrier - A phrase used to describe a carrier that will haul freight from anywhere to anywhere with no set routes.

Interchange Agreement - Agreement and/or contract between two companies to switch or take control of a trailer in order to pick up and deliver shipments. Common along border towns between Mexican and U.S. companies in order to cross the border.

Intermodal - A single trailer or container that encounters multiple forms of transportation along its route, such as truck/ship or truck/rail.


I

Jackknife - The position in which a trailer is at an acute angle to the t r a c t o r.

Just in Time (JIT) - Manufacturing system, which depends on frequent, small deliveries of parts and supplies to keep on-site inventory to a minimum.

Kingpin - A thick, metal pin located underneath the front of the trailer. This kingpin slides

into, and connects with, the locking jaws of the fifth wheel of the tractor or dolly, thereby

attaching the tractor/dolly to the trailer.

Kingpin Lock - A locking device which is placed around/over the kingpin, which prevents a

fifth wheel from connecting to it, and taking the trailer. Highly recommended if you plan on

dropping the trailer in an unsecured location, which includes truck stops.


J

K

Lane - A move from point A to point B. Many companies will have a lane that they run on a

regular basis called a “dedicated lane”.

Layover - When a driver is detained overnight or for a 24-hour period while waiting to pick up or deliver a shipment. Fees are usually involved.

Line Haul - The rate per mile in dollars and cents for transporting items.

Logbooks - Books carried by truck drivers in which they record their hours of service and

duty status for each 24-hour period. These are required in interstate commercial trucking by the U.S. D.O.T.

Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) - Quantity of freight less than that required for the application of

a full truckload (FTL) rate.


L

Motor Carrier Number (MC#) - License administered to for-hire carriers by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA).Commonly referred to as USDOT numbers. MVR: An

acronym for Motor Vehicle Report. An official record for an individual driver listing traffic

convictions.

National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) - A standard comparison of commodities

moving in interstate, intrastate and foreign commerce. There are 18 commodity classes based on an evaluation of four transportation characteristics: density, stowability, handling

and liability. These characteristics establish a commodity’s transportability.


M

N

No Touch - A term meaning the driver doesn’t have to assist with the unloading of the trailer

or “touch” the freight upon arrival at a destination.

OTR - Over-the-Road

Owner-Operator - Truck driver who owns and operators their truck(s).

Over-Dimensional (Wide Load) - Cargo that is larger than the legally defined limits for width, length, height, and/or weight and cannot be broken down into smaller units.

Over-the-Road-Driver – Truck driver who travels cross-country to deliver freight and usually

sleeps within a berth in the truck cab and averages over 100,000 miles per year.

Partial - Truck used

to compile multiple

shipments from several customers in

order to utilize the

entire truck. Due to

this, transit times can be longer than

dedicated truckloads

due to multiple

stops.

Payload – Weight of

the cargo being

hauled.


O

P

Permits - Permission obtained from states allowing carriers to transport freight that exceeds

the legal weight and size limits.

Placard - Warning signs placed on all four sides of a trailer denoting that they are carrying hazardous materials.

Pre-Pass - This is an electronic system in trucks that allows for drivers to bypass scales

(weigh stations).Pup Trailer: Short semitrailer, usually between 26’ and 32’ long, with a single

axle.

Rate Confirmation - A document that confirms the agreed upon amount for the cost of

service between the shipper and carrier.

Relay Driving - A practice that involves several drivers driving one truck in relays. Drivers switch over after 8 to 10 hours driving – have a break, then drive then next truck back home.

Trucks can operate 24 hours a day using this system.

Reefer - A trailer with insulated walls and a self-powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly

used for transporting food.

Route - The course or direction that a shipment moves.


R

Semitrailer – Truck trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or a dolly.

Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) - Unique 2-4 letter code used to identify

transportation companies.

Shipper - Consignor, exporter or seller named in the bill of lading, who may or may not be

the same as the party responsible for initiating a shipment.

Sliding Tandem - Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and

forth at the rear of a semitrailer, to adjust the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth

wheel.

Spread Axle (Spread Tandem) - Tandem axle assembly that is spaced further apart than the standard spacing of 54”.

Straps - Strong vinyl straps used to secure and tie down freight to a trailer.

Tandem Axle - A pair of suspension axles typically located close together.

Team Drivers - Two drivers traveling together who alternating the driving shifts.

Terminal - A facility including building structures, and equipment for the storage transfer, handling, delivery, and reception of vehicles and materials.

TL (Truckload) - The quantity of freight required to fill a trailer; usually more than 10,000 pounds.


S

T

TL Carrier - Trucking company, with trailers dedicated to a single shipper's cargo, as

opposed to an LTL carrier.

Tractor – Truck designed to pull a semitrailer by a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle.

Tractor Trailer – Tractor and semitrailer combination.

Tri-Axle – Truck, tractor, or trailer with three axles grouped together at the rear.

UCR (Unified Carrier Register) - A National system that will serve as a clearinghouse and

depository of information on and identification of all foreign and domestic motor carriers,

brokers, and freight forwarders, and others required to register with the U.S. Department of Transportation as well as information on safety fitness and compliance with required levels of

financial responsibility.

Un-laden Weight - The weight of the vehicle fully equipped for service excluding the weight

of any load.

Upper Coupler - Load bearing surface on the underside of the front of a semitrailer. It rests

on the fifth wheel of a tractor or dolly and has a downward protruding kingpin, which is

captured by the locking jaws of the fifth wheel.

Valuation Actual - True value of goods required to be shown on bill of lading, when rate to

be applied is dependent on that fact.

Van - An enclosed boxlike motor vehicle having rear or side doors and side panels used for transporting goods.


V-Z

U

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) - Assigned by the manufacturer, this number is unique

to each vehicle and appears on the vehicle's registration and title.

VOCC - Vessel operating common carrier (such as, ocean carrier).

Warehouse - Where goods are stored prior to delivery or distribution.

WIM (Weigh-In-Motion) - The system, which allows a vehicle to be weighed while still in

motion on the interstate, usually just before coming to a weigh station. (Transportation)

Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) - Needed to gain unescorted access to secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) regulated facilities and vessels.


Just a few eXcellent traits that ALL great drivers share!

Xenodochial - friendly to strangers

Xenophilic - relating to foreign people and customs.

Yard Jockey - Person who operates a yard tractor.

Yard Tractor (Yard Goat) - Special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal,

warehouse, distribution center, etc.

Zen - emphasizes the attainment of enlightenment and the personal expression of direct insight.


Now You Know Your Trucking ABCs..... Next Time Won’t You Ride With Us at Craig

Safety Technologies?

Don’t know where you stand from a compliance review perspective? Talk to one of our DOT specialist to learn how to keep your drivers safe and in compliance as you travel

along America’s highways.

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Learn about our Compliance Safety Manager software solution to keep track of your fleet, personnel, and high-value assets in DOT and OSHA compliance.

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ACRONYM Quick Reference Ever feel bogged down by conversations you don’t understand? Here’s an example of

what we’re talking about:

“The O/O OTRD was pulled over for a random DOT inspection. The O/O didn’t realize his

CDL was expired, was over his HOS, and forgot to do a PTI. On top of that, the technical specifications of his mandated ELD was out of date and had malfunctioned leaving him in

violation of regulations set down by CARB. The inspector declared him OOS and added CSA points to his driver scorecard. He was going to have to shut down his business and go work

for a 3PL."

The number of acronyms in the trucking industry are as numerous as in the military.

Don’t let it drive you crazy. We’ve put together a quick reference list to help you.



1321 Burlington Street, Ste B

Kansas City, MO 64116

913-920-0421

[email protected]

www.compliancesafetymanager.com

3PL – Third Party Logistics Provider

AASHTO – American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials

CARB - California Air Resources Board

CDL - Commercial Driver’s License

CDLIS – Commercial Drivers License System

CMV – Commercial Motor Vehicle

CSA – Compliance, Safety, Accountability

DOT - Department of Transportation

DQ Files - Driver Qualification Files

DVIR - Driver Vehicle Inspection Report

ELD - Electronic Logging Device

FMCSA - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

GBL - Government Bill of Lading

GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight

HOS – Hours of Service

ICC – Interstate Commerce Commission

IFTA - International Fuel Tax Agreement

IRP - International Registration Plan

MVR - Motor Vehicle Record

NDR – National Driver Registry

NHS – Nation Highway System

NTSB – National Transportation Safety Board

O/O - Owner Operator

OOS - Out of Service

OTRD – Over the Road Driver

PTI – Pre-Trip Inspection

PSP - Pre-employment Screening Program

RODS - Record of Duty Status

SAP - Substance Abuse Program

VMRS – Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards

VMT – Vehicle Miles of Travel

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.compliancesafetymanager.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.compliancesafetymanager.com

Documents

The ABC’s of Trucking€¦ · CAPRI - Software used by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Safety Investigators to conduct a motor carrier compliance review. Carrier: Utilizes