A complete reference of trucking, freight, and transportation management terms used by carriers, brokers, dispatchers, and compliance professionals across the United States and Canada.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection's electronic system for processing imports and exports. Carriers file eManifest data through ACE before arriving at a U.S. port of entry.
Canada Border Services Agency's electronic pre-arrival cargo reporting system. Canadian carriers must file ACI data before goods arrive at a Canadian port of entry.
A return load picked up after delivering the primary load, reducing deadhead miles. Finding backhauls is essential for carrier profitability on long-distance routes.
One of seven safety categories in FMCSA's CSA program: Unsafe Driving, Hours-of-Service, Driver Fitness, Controlled Substances/Alcohol, Vehicle Maintenance, Hazardous Materials, and Crash Indicator. Each BASIC has an intervention threshold percentile.
A legal document between shipper and carrier detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being shipped. The BOL serves as a receipt of freight, a contract of carriage, and a document of title.
Operating a tractor without a trailer attached. Bobtailing is common when repositioning to pick up a loaded trailer but increases accident risk due to reduced traction on the drive axle.
A licensed intermediary who arranges freight transportation between shippers and carriers without taking possession of the cargo. Brokers must hold FMCSA operating authority and maintain a surety bond.
The transport of goods between two points within the same country by a carrier registered in another country. Cabotage is heavily restricted in both the U.S. and Canada.
A license required to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the United States. CDL classes include Class A (combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs), Class B (single vehicles over 26,001 lbs), and Class C (vehicles carrying hazmat or 16+ passengers).
A vehicle used in commerce to transport passengers or property that meets weight, size, or cargo thresholds defined by FMCSA regulations. Generally applies to vehicles over 10,001 lbs GVWR.
An on-site examination of a motor carrier's operations by FMCSA or state safety investigators. Reviews check driver qualification files, vehicle maintenance records, hours-of-service logs, drug testing, and financial responsibility.
FMCSA's safety enforcement program that scores carriers using data from roadside inspections, crash reports, and investigations. CSA replaced the older SafeStat system in 2010 and evaluates carriers across 7 BASIC categories with percentile rankings from 0 to 100.
Ontario's registration system for commercial vehicle operators. CVOR tracks a carrier's safety record including collisions, convictions, inspections, and facility audits. Required for any commercial vehicle operating in Ontario.
FMCSA's online system for requesting review of federal and state data issued during inspections, crashes, and compliance reviews. Carriers use DataQs to challenge inaccurate violations that inflate CSA scores.
Miles driven without a load, generating no revenue. Deadhead percentage is a key profitability metric for carriers — lower is better. Effective dispatch minimizes deadhead by finding backhauls and optimizing route planning.
Time a driver spends waiting at a shipper or receiver facility beyond the allotted free time (typically 2 hours). Carriers charge detention fees to compensate for lost driving time and reduced daily productivity.
A unique identifier assigned by FMCSA to every commercial motor carrier operating in interstate commerce. The DOT number is used to track safety performance, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspection results.
Short-distance transport of freight, typically between a port, rail terminal, or warehouse and its final destination. Drayage is common in intermodal shipping where containers move between ocean vessels, trains, and trucks.
Leaving a trailer at a shipper or receiver location for loading or unloading while the tractor departs. Drop trailers reduce driver detention time but require sufficient trailer inventory.
An enclosed, non-temperature-controlled trailer used for general freight. Dry vans are the most common trailer type in North American trucking, typically 53 feet long with 3,000+ cubic feet of cargo space.
A device that automatically records a driver's Record of Duty Status (RODS) by connecting to the vehicle's engine. ELDs replaced paper logbooks and are mandated by FMCSA for most CMV drivers. A TMS like TruckerPro integrates with major ELD providers to pull HOS and location data into dispatch workflows.
An electronic cargo manifest filed with customs before goods cross the US-Canada border. U.S.-bound freight requires ACE eManifest filing; Canada-bound freight requires ACI filing. TruckerPro automates eManifest filing within the dispatch workflow.
A trusted traveler program for pre-approved commercial drivers crossing the US-Canada border. FAST card holders use dedicated lanes for faster border processing.
An open trailer without sides or roof, used for oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped cargo. Flatbed loads require tarping and securement per FMCSA cargo securement rules (49 CFR Part 393).
A U.S. Department of Transportation agency that regulates the trucking and bus industries. FMCSA issues operating authority, sets safety regulations (hours-of-service, drug testing, vehicle maintenance), conducts compliance reviews, and administers the CSA safety measurement system.
A standardized classification system (classes 50-500) used by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) to categorize commodities for LTL shipping. Based on density, handling, stowability, and liability. Higher class means higher shipping cost per pound.
A shipment that fills an entire trailer, typically 42,000-45,000 lbs or the full cubic capacity. FTL freight moves directly from origin to destination without stops at freight terminals.
The maximum allowable total weight of a vehicle including the vehicle itself, cargo, fuel, passengers, and equipment. GVWR determines CDL requirements, registration fees, and regulatory applicability.
Hazardous materials that require special handling, placarding, and documentation during transport. Hazmat drivers must hold a CDL with an H endorsement and comply with 49 CFR Parts 171-180. FMCSA tracks hazmat compliance in its own BASIC category.
Federal regulations (49 CFR Part 395) limiting how many hours a commercial driver can drive and work. Key rules include the 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour duty window, 30-minute break requirement, and 60/70-hour weekly limit. Tracked via ELD.
An agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces to simplify fuel tax reporting for carriers operating across multiple jurisdictions. Carriers file quarterly IFTA returns reporting miles driven and fuel purchased in each jurisdiction, with credits and debits calculated to settle net tax owed.
Freight transportation using two or more modes (truck, rail, ship) in a single journey, typically using standardized containers that transfer between modes without reloading cargo. Intermodal is common for long-haul routes where rail covers the middle segment.
An agreement among U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces for proportional registration of commercial vehicles that travel across jurisdictions. Registration fees are apportioned based on the distance traveled in each jurisdiction.
A specific origin-destination pair used in freight routing. Carriers analyze lane profitability to determine which routes generate the best revenue per mile after accounting for fuel, tolls, and deadhead.
A shipment that does not fill an entire trailer. LTL carriers consolidate multiple shipments from different shippers onto one trailer, with each shipper paying for the space used. Pricing is based on freight class, weight, and distance.
A third-party worker hired to load or unload freight at a warehouse or distribution center. Lumper fees are typically paid by the carrier and reimbursed by the broker or shipper as an accessorial charge.
Operating authority number issued by FMCSA for for-hire carriers transporting regulated commodities in interstate commerce. Different from the USDOT number, which all carriers must have. Brokers also receive MC numbers.
Canada's set of minimum safety standards for commercial vehicles. Each province administers NSC through its own safety programs. An NSC number is the Canadian equivalent of a USDOT number.
FMCSA registration that grants a carrier the legal right to transport freight or passengers for hire in interstate commerce. Types include common carrier (MC), contract carrier, broker, and freight forwarder authority.
A freight claim filed when delivered cargo is over the expected quantity, short (missing items), or damaged. OS&D reports document discrepancies between the BOL and actual delivery for insurance and liability purposes.
An enforcement action prohibiting a driver or vehicle from operating until safety violations are corrected. Issued during roadside inspections or compliance reviews when critical violations are found (e.g., brake failure, HOS violation, expired CDL).
A truck driver who owns and operates their own commercial vehicle. Owner-operators may operate under their own authority or lease onto a carrier. They are responsible for their own fuel, maintenance, insurance, and taxes.
Documentation confirming that freight was delivered to the consignee. Typically a signed BOL or delivery receipt. POD is required before carriers can invoice for a completed load and is critical for resolving delivery disputes.
A systematic check of a commercial vehicle performed by the driver before each trip. Required by 49 CFR 396.13. Covers brakes, tires, lights, mirrors, coupling devices, and other safety-critical components. Documented on a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR).
A document that formalizes the agreement between a carrier and broker or shipper for a specific load. Includes origin, destination, rate, pickup and delivery dates, commodity, and special instructions. Serves as the contract for the load.
A refrigerated trailer used to transport temperature-sensitive freight such as produce, pharmaceuticals, and frozen goods. Reefer units have their own diesel-powered cooling systems and require temperature monitoring throughout transit.
Total revenue divided by total miles for a load or time period. RPM is the primary profitability metric for carriers. A healthy RPM covers fuel, insurance, maintenance, driver pay, and overhead while generating profit. Varies significantly by lane, commodity, and season.
FMCSA's public database where anyone can look up a carrier's registration, safety rating, insurance status, and inspection history using their DOT or MC number. Available at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov.
An overall assessment of a motor carrier's safety posture issued by FMCSA after a compliance review. Ratings are Satisfactory, Conditional (deficiencies found), or Unsatisfactory (critical violations). Unsatisfactory carriers face operating restrictions.
A weigh station where commercial vehicles are weighed and inspected for compliance with weight limits, operating authority, and safety regulations. Scale houses may perform Level 1-3 inspections.
A unique identifier on the tamper-evident seal placed on a trailer door after loading. Seal numbers are recorded on the BOL and verified at delivery to confirm the trailer was not opened in transit.
The payment statement issued to an owner-operator or company driver for completed loads. Settlements detail gross pay, fuel advances, deductions (insurance, escrow, ELD fees), and net pay. TMS software automates settlement calculation from completed loads.
The sleeping compartment in a truck cab. FMCSA allows drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period using the sleeper berth exception: one period of at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth and another period of at least 2 hours off-duty or in the sleeper.
A pair of axles spaced close together on a trailer or tractor. Tandem axle position (slide) affects weight distribution across axles and must be adjusted to comply with bridge law formulas and state-specific weight limits.
Covering flatbed cargo with a tarpaulin to protect it from weather and road debris. Tarping is required for most flatbed loads and is a billable accessorial. Tarping and untarping each typically command a $50-$100 fee.
Software that manages trucking operations including dispatch, load planning, driver assignment, invoicing, compliance tracking, and reporting. A TMS replaces spreadsheets and paper processes with a centralized digital platform. TruckerPro is a TMS built for Canadian and US carriers.
Fees charged for using specific roads, bridges, or tunnels. Toll costs vary significantly by route and vehicle class. Carriers factor tolls into rate quotes and may pass them through as accessorial charges.
The powered vehicle (cab) that pulls a trailer. Also called a truck, rig, or power unit. Tractors are classified by cab type (day cab or sleeper) and axle configuration (single or tandem).
A temporary operating permit allowing a carrier to operate in a jurisdiction where they are not registered under IRP. Trip permits are typically valid for 72 hours and are used for occasional trips outside the carrier's normal operating area.
An annual federal registration and fee program for motor carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and leasing companies operating in interstate commerce. UCR fees are based on fleet size and fund state motor carrier safety programs.
Dispatch, compliance, ELD integration, invoicing, payroll, and border clearing — all in one TMS built for Canadian and US carriers.
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