The Trucking Terms Your Mom Warned You About

Every industry or occupation seems to have its own unique "language." What I mean is that typically, these words, terms, or phrases have a specific meaning to the folks that work in that industry. Trucking is no different. Do you know what a "drop and hook" is or the meaning of "hub miles?" Don't worry, if you don't know your "yard jockeys" from your "lumpers," we've got you covered with this special blog post series, Truck Talk: The ABCs of Trucking Language.

In this series, I'm going to break down general trucking terms as well as some "driver speak" - those words and phrases that are likely to be heard of the CB radio. Yes, the 1970's phenomena CB radio is still widely used across the trucking industry. It's an important communication tool for truck drivers as well as shippers. So, it's a great idea to brush up on your trucker lingo.

Let's get part one of the Truck Talk: The ABCs of Trucking Language started with these general trucking terms...

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

Carrier
An individual, partnership, or corporation engaged in the business of transporting goods or persons; a trucking company.

CB
"Citizens band" two-way radio for which no license is required by the FCC. Read why CB radios make an ideal gift for truck drivers. 

CDL
Commercial Driver's License; a type of driver's license mandated by the Commercial Motor Vehicle Act of 1986 that establishes minimum national standards.

Class A
Refers to type of CDL permitted the licensed driver to operate a combination vehicle (tractor-trailer) with a gross weight of 26,001 or more pounds.

Common Carrier
Freight transportation company which serves the general public. Maybe a regular or irregular route.

Dedicated Run
This refers to a driver pulling freight for one specific shipper week after week, with the same pick-up and drop off points.

Dispatching
The scheduling and control of intercity traffic and intracity pick-up and delivery.

DOT
Department of Transportation

Drop and Hook
This is a term used to refer to when a driver simply "drops" his trailer at a customer location and "hooks" to another trailer.

Drop Yard
This is a small area of land that trucking companies own and allows for drivers to park their trucks and trailers on it.

Dry Freight
Non-liquid

Forced Dispatch
This is a term used to define that a driver does NOT have the ability to accept or decline load assignments.

Freight Lane
These are the common areas where trucking companies run in and around delivering freight.

Fuel Incentives
These are incentives given by trucking companies to drivers who can exceed a pre-set MPG average. A terrific example is PAM Transport's Mission MPG fuel program. 

GPS
Global Positioning System. Truck drivers require specialized GPS units that route on "truck friendly" roads and avoid low clearances, etc. 

Hazmat
Hazardous Materials, as classified by the US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the US Department of Transportation. eGears offers an online Hazmat training course to help prepare for the written test.

Hours of Service
U.S. Department of Transportation safety regulations which govern the hours of service of commercial vehicle drivers engaged in interstate trucking operations.

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.

Jackknife
To place the trailer at a very sharp angle to the tractor.

Want to put these terms to use? Apply today!

Driver Solutions can help you get the CDL training you need to become a truck driver.  Start your career now and you could be on the road making up to $50,000 in just the first year!  Just take a few moments to complete our online driver application now. 

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Layover Pay
Paid to a driver who is available for dispatch, but has no load assignment.

Layover Time
The non-working time that a road driver spends away from his home terminal before being dispatched to some other destination.

Lease-Purchase
Method of purchasing a rig from a regulated carrier, whereby rent (paid to the carrier for the privilege of using the cab) is applied to the principle owed.

Load
This is the freight that the driver is pulling in the trailer.

Loaded Miles
Distance traveled with a loaded trailer.

Logistics
Process of systematizing information to facilitate the efficient and cost-effective flows of goods and services to produce customer satisfaction.

LTL (Less-than-Truckload)
A quantity of freight less than that required for the application of a truckload (TL) rate; usually less than 10,000 pounds.

LTL Carrier
Trucking company that consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle. Learn more about the difference in driving jobs are categorized as either LTL or OTR.

Lumper
A person hire to load/unload the freight in the trailer.

MVR
An acronym for Motor Vehicle Report. An official record for an individual driver listing traffic convictions. MVR is a key component of CDL training requirements.

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. OTR usually refers to a specific type of trucking job. 

Pre Pass
This is an electronic system in trucks that allows drivers to bypass scales (weigh stations).

Qualcomm
This is a word that often refers to Satellite Communications. Qualcomm is considered the largest supplier of these systems.

Regional Run
This refers to a type of driving position when a driver is kept within a region, such as the southeast.

Route
The course or direction that a shipment moves.

Satellite Communication Systems
These are onboard computers that help with mapping, two-way communication with dispatch, and even e-mail.

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.

TL Carrier
Trucking company which dedicates trailers to a single shipper's cargo, as opposed to an LTL carrier. Most truck drivers begin a trucking career with PAM Transport and USA Truck. Both are truckload carriers.

Yard Jockey
A person who operates a yard tractor.

Yard Tractor (Yard Goat)
The special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse, distribution center, etc.

Well, that wraps up the first lesson in the ABC's of Trucking Language course. Don't worry; there won't be a vocabulary test. But now you're ready to have an intelligent conversation about trucking. In part two, I'll dig into some truck-specific terms such as “king pin,” “reefer,” and “bobtail” so be sure to check back.

Start Your Trucking Career Now

Driver Solutions can help you get the CDL training you need to become a truck driver.  Start your career now and you could be on the road making up to $50,000 in just the first year!  Just take a few moments to complete our online driver application now. 

Apply Now