Glossary

Trucking Related Terms

Apportionable Fee

Any periodic recurring fee required for licensing or registering vehicles, such as, but not limited to, registration, license or weight fees.

Apportionable Fleet

One or more vehicles identified as a fleet, except recreational vehicles, vehicles displaying restricted plates, city pick-up and delivery vehicles, buses used in transportation of chartered parties, and government-owned vehicles, used in two or more member jurisdictions that allocate or proportionally register vehicles and is used for the transportation of persons for-hire or designed, used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.

Apportionable Vehicle

Vehicle operating in two or more member jurisdictions and used for the transportation of persons or property may apply for apportioned registration.
Apportionable vehicles include:

• a power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight in excess of 26,000 pounds, or;
• a power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
• used in combination, when the weight of such combination exceeds 26,000 pounds gross weight. Vehicles or combinations thereof, having a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or less and two-axle vehicles and buses used in transportation of chartered parties may be proportionally registered at the option of the registrant.

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

Computer, sensors and solenoid valves which together monitor wheel speed and modulate braking force if wheel lockup is sensed during braking. Helps the driver retain control of the vehicle during heavy braking on slippery roads.

Air Ride Suspension

Suspension which 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 which provide air to the air brake system.

Anchor It

Apply brakes for an emergency stop.

Base Jurisdiction

In a base state agreement, the jurisdiction where operators or owners have an established place of business, where mileage is accrued by a fleet, and where operational records of a fleet are maintained or can be made available.

Base Plate

Under IRP, a license plate issued by the Base Jurisdiction. It is the only registration identification plate issued for a vehicle by any member jurisdiction.

Base State System

A cooperative agreement under which an interstate carrier traveling in more than one jurisdiction will choose one state as a Base Jurisdiction. Thereafter the Base Jurisdiction is responsible for all interactions with the carrier. (See also Base Jurisdiction.)

Bill of Lading

Itemized list of goods contained in a shipment.

Blind Spot

Areas around a commercial vehicle that are not visible to the driver either through the windshield, side windows or mirrors.

Bobtail

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

Cab Card

Under IRP, a registration card (vehicle or fuel) issued by the Base Jurisdiction for a vehicle of an apportioned fleet which identifies the vehicle, base plate, registered weight by jurisdictions and shows the jurisdictions where the vehicle is properly registered.

Carrier Safety Fitness Rating (CSFR)

The safety rating of the carrier based on an official approved safety algorithm.

CargoWeight

Combined weight of all loads, gear and supplies on a vehicle.

Cartage Company

Company that provides local (within a town, city or municipality) pick-up and delivery.

CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)

License which authorizes an individual to operate commercial motor vehicles and buses over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

Citation

A legal action against a person, indicating that a law may have been broken.

Combination Vehicle

Any combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Combined Gross Weight

The total unladen weight of a combination of vehicles plus the weight of the load carried on that combination of vehicles.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

A license issued to an individual by a state or other jurisdiction, according to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Part 383, which authorizes the individual to operate a designated class of motor vehicles.

Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)

Any self-propelled or towed vehicle used on highways in intrastate or interstate commerce to transport passengers or property:

• if it has a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds; or
• if it is designed to transport more than 16 passengers, including the driver; or
• if it is used to transport hazardous materials (as defined in 49 U.S.C. App. 1801 et seq.) in quantity requiring placarding under federal regulation

Commercial Trailer

A trailer used to handle freight in the transportation of goods for others; excludes house trailers, light farm trailers, and car trailers.

Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO)

Includes all the operations associated with moving goods and passengers via commercial vehicles over the North American highway system and the activities necessary to regulate these operations.

Compliance Order

A written direction to a respondent requiring the performance of certain acts which, based upon the findings in the proceeding, are considered necessary to bring a respondent into compliance with regulations found to have been violated.

Compliance Review (CR)

An on-site examination of motor carrier operations, such as drivers’ hours of service, maintenance and inspection records, driver qualifications, commercial driver’s license requirements, financial responsibility, accidents, hazardous materials, and other safety and transportation records to determine whether a motor carrier meets the safety fitness standard.

Container

Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway.

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.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

A municipal, county, state, or federal agency responsible for transportation.

Doubles (Twins, Twin Trailers)

Combination of a tractor and two semitrailers connected in tandem by a converter dolly.

Driver

An occupant, who is in actual physical control of a transport vehicle; or, for an out-of-control vehicle, an occupant who was in control until control was lost.

Driver’s License (DL)

A license issued by a state or other jurisdiction, to an individual which authorizes the individual to operate a motor vehicle on the highways.

Endorsement

An authorization to an individual’s CDL required to permit the individual to operate certain types of commercial motor vehicles.

EOBR (Electric On-Board Recorder)

Cab-mounted device which electronically records data such as truck speed, engine rpm, idle time and other information useful to trucking management.

Exempt Carrier

Company which transports commodities exempted from Interstate Commerce Commission economic regulation.

Fifth Wheel

A device mounted on a truck tractor or similar towing vehicle that interfaces with and couples to the upper coupler assembly of a semitrailer.

Fleet

Under IRP, one or more apportionable vehicles.

FMCSA – (Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration)

Responsible for the issuance, administration, and enforcement safety regulations, hazardous materials regulations, as it pertains to the drug and alcohol testing requirements.

For Hire Motor Carrier

A person engaged in the transportation of goods or passengers for compensation.

For Hire Vehicle

A vehicle used to transport goods or passengers for compensation.

Freight

Any commodity being transported.

General Freight Carrier

A carrier which handles a variety of commodities, typically in LTL quantities and generally involves the use of terminal facilities to break and consolidate shipments.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)

The value specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a combination (articulated) vehicle. In the absence of a value specified by the manufacturer, GCWR will be determined by adding the GVWR of the power unit and the total weight of the towed unit and any load thereon.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

The maximum allowable fully laden weight of the vehicle and its payload. The common classification scheme most used by manufacturers and by states, often for both trucks and tractors.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

A value specified by the manufacturer for a single-unit truck, track tractor, or trailer, or gross combined weight rating the sum of such values for the units which make up a truck combination. In the absence of a gross vehicle weight rating, an estimate of the gross weight of a fully loaded unit may be substituted for such a rating. The gross vehicle weight rating of a truck combination may be called the gross combination weight rating.

Hazmat

Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Heavy Duty Truck

Truck with a gross vehicle weight generally more than 19,500 pounds (class 6-8). Other minimum weights are used by various laws or government agencies.

Heavy Straight Vehicle

A single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.

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.

Intermodal Transportation

Involves the transportation of freight in an intermodal container or vehicle, using multiple modes of transportation (e.g., rail/motor, motor/air, rail/water).

Interstate Motor Carrier A

motor carrier engaged in interstate commerce whose vehicle(s) transports property or passengers between or through two or more states or other jurisdictions (see “Jurisdiction”).

Intrastate Commerce

Any trade, traffic or transportation in any state which is not in interstate commerce.

Intrastate Motor Carrier

A motor carrier whose vehicle(s) transports property or passengers from one point within a jurisdiction to another point within the same jurisdiction, excluding interstate movements.

Intrastate Operation

Vehicle movement from one point within a jurisdiction to another point within the same jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction means a state territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a state, province, or territory of a country.

JIT (Just-In-Time)

Manufacturing system which depends on frequent, small deliveries of parts and supplies to keep on-site inventory to a minimum.

Landing Gear

Retractable legs which support the front of a semitrailer when it’s not coupled to a trailer.

LCV (Long Combination Vehicle)

In general, vehicles longer than a standard doubles rig. Examples of LCVs which are permitted in some U.S. western states and eastern toll roads: Twin 48-foot trailers; triple 28-foot trailers.

Lease

A written document vesting exclusive possession, control of and responsibility for the operation of a vehicle to a lessee for a specific period of time.

Less Than Truckload (LTL)

A quantity of freight less than that required for the application of a truckload rate. Usually less than 10,000 pounds.

Lessee

A person, firm, or corporation which has the legal possession and control of a vehicle owned by another under terms of a lease agreement.

Lessor

A person, firm, or corporation which, under the terms of a lease, grants the legal right of possession, control of, and responsibility for the operations of the vehicle to another person, firm, or corporation.

Light Trucks

Trucks under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating (e.g., pickups, vans, truck-based station wagons, and multi-purpose vehicles).

Logbook

Book carried by truck drivers in which they record their hours of service and duty status for each 24-hour period. Required for interstate commercial trucking by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Long-Term Lease

A lease written for a period exceeding 29 consecutive days.

Line-haul Driver

Truck driver who travels a set route from city to city and typically returns home after each shift. Also known as a regional driver.

Local Driver

Truck driver who picks up and delivers packages along a city route. Drivers typically run the same route everyday, returning home after each shift. Also known as a city or P&D driver.

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

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

LTL Carrier

Trucking company which consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle.

Medium and Heavy Trucks

Trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR, including single-unit trucks, tractor-trailer combinations, trucks with cargo trailer(s), and truck-tractors pulling no trailer.

Multi-Jurisdictional Oversize and Overweight Organization

An organization of 10 states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin) that promote standard oversize weight permitting and enforcement.

Non-Regulated Trucking

A carrier that is exempt from economic regulation, e.g., exempt agricultural shipments.

On-Duty Time

On-duty time starts when the driver begins work or must be ready for work and ends when the driver is relieved of all responsibility. On-duty time includes all time spent driving, loading and unloading, preparing accident reports and attending to the operation of a vehicle. It also includes meals and coffee breaks.

Operating Authority

Specifies the products a carrier may haul and where it may haul them. The legal permission required by a carrier to haul goods from one point to another.

Operating Expenses

The costs of handling traffic, including both direct costs, e.g., driver wages and fuel, and indirect costs, e.g., computer expenses and advertising, but excluding the interest expense.

Operations Out of Service Order

The official document or declaration used by FHWA or state enforcement officials to order a motor carrier, driver or vehicle to cease operations for imminent hazard conditions.

Owner-Operator

Truck driver who owns and operates his own truck.

Over-the-Road Driver

Truck driver who travels cross-country to deliver freight and usually sleeps within a berth in the truck cab. Typically averages over 100,000 miles per year.

P&D

Pickup and delivery. May also be referred to as a city driver.

Payload

Weight of the cargo being hauled.

Peddle Run

Truck route with frequent delivery stops.

Piggyback

The transportation of highway trailers or removable trailer bodies on rail cars specifically equipped for the service. It is essentially a joint carrier movement in which the motor carrier forms a pickup and delivery operation to a rail terminal, as well as a delivery operation at the terminating railhead.

Port of Entry (POE)

A roadside site used to monitor and regulate trucks using state highways with respect to weight, size, and safety and possibly weight distance taxation.

Principal Place of Business

A single location designated by the motor carrier, normally its headquarters, where records will be maintained.

PREPASS - Automatic Vehicle Identification (AVI) System

A system that enables participating transponder-equipped commercial vehicles to be pre-screened throughout the nation at designated weigh stations, port-of-entry facilities and agricultural interdiction facilities. Cleared vehicles are then able to "bypass" the facility while traveling at highway speed, eliminating the need to stop.

Private Carrier

Business which operates trucks primarily for the purpose of transporting its own products and raw materials. The principle business activity of a private carrier is not transportation.

Professional Truck Driver

Different categories of drivers include over-the-road, line-haul and local.

Reefer

Refrigerated trailer with insulate walls and a self-powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly used for transporting food.

Reciprocity Agreements

Agreements between states allowing for the reciprocal granting of equivalent rights and/or privileges to properly credentialed vehicles.

Registered Weight

The weight for which a vehicle is licensed or registered within a particular jurisdiction.

Registrant

A person, firm, or corporation in whose name or names a vehicle is properly registered.

Registration Agency

A governmental organization which gathers registration information, collects registration fees and issues indicia (plates, stickers, cab cards, etc.) for commercial motor vehicles.

Registration State

A state in which a motor carrier has registered its vehicles for operation.

Regulated Motor Carrier

A carrier subject to economic regulation by the Interstate Commerce Commission.

Reinstatement

Restoration of driving privilege or credential following suspension or upon renewal after expiration (within the grace period).

Revocation

In most jurisdictions, revocation of a credential terminates the privileges granted by that credential. At the end of a specified revocation period, reapplication for the credential is usually allowed.

Roadside Inspection

An inspection of a commercial vehicle or driver that occurs at the roadside.

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.

Sleeper

Sleeping compartment mounted behind a truck cab, sometimes attached to the cab or even designed to be an integral part of it.

Single State Registration System (SSRS)

A base state agreement for administering operating authority.

Sliding Fifth Wheel

Fifth wheel mounted to a mechanism that allows it to be moved back and forth for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight on the tractor’s axles.

Specialized Carrier

A trucking company franchised to transport articles that because of size, shape, weight, or other inherent characteristics, require special equipment for loading, unloading or transporting.

State of Domicile

The state in which a carrier maintains its headquarters.

Straight Truck

Vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by a vehicle.

Tank Vehicle

Any commercial motor vehicle that is designed to transport any liquid or gaseous materials within a tank that is either permanently or temporarily attached to the vehicle or the chassis.

Temporary Trip Permit

Temporary travel permits, valid for two to ten days, allowing a vehicle to travel in a jurisdiction where a carrier does not have a permanent registration permit.

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 (Less Than Truckload) carrier which transports the consolidated cargo of several shippers and makes multiple deliveries.

Ton Mile Tax

A per-mile tax, calculated by determining the ratio of actual vehicle gross weight to the sum of actual miles traveled at that weight. A weight distance tax, which is similar, bases the tax on registered (instead of actual) gross vehicle weight.

Tractor

Truck designed primarily to pull a semitrailer by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle.

Tractor Trailer

Tractor and semitrailer combination.

Transponder

An electronic tag carried by a motor vehicle that has electronically stored information that can be retrieved by a roadside reader.

Tri-Axle

Truck, tractor or trailer with three axles grouped together at the rear.

Trip

The period during which a vehicle is continuously travelling from its point of origin to its destination. The vehicle may stop for short periods during the trip without causing discontinuation of the trip if no change occurs in the loaded weight.

Trip Leasing

Leasing a company’s vehicle to another transportation provider for a single trip.

Truck

A motor vehicle designed to carry an entire load. It may consist of a chassis and body, a chassis, cab and body, or it may be of integral construction so that the body and chassis form a single unit.

Truck Combination

A truck consisting primarily of a transport device which is a single-unit truck or truck tractor with one or more attached trailers.

Truck Tonnage

The weight of freight, measured in tons, transported by a truck.

Truck Tractor

A motor vehicle consisting of a single motorized transport device designed primarily for drawing trailers.

Truckload

Quantity of freight required to fill a truck. When used in connection with freight rates, the quantity of freight necessary to qualify a shipment for a truckload rate, usually over 10,000 pounds.

Turnpike Double

A combination vehicle consisting of a tractor and two trailers of 45 to 48 feet.

Twin Trailer

A short semitrailer (under 29’) designed to be operated as part of a combination vehicle with a tandem trailer of similar length.

Unified Carrier Register

A national system that will allow for registering carriers and issuing US DOT numbers. It will maintain census information on carriers that are authorized to operate in the United States. The concept for this system is being developed. The UCR is intended to replace the current systems used for assigning DOT numbers, assigning ICC numbers, implementing the Single State Registration System (SSRS), and tracking financial responsibility.

Unladen Vehicle Weight

The weight of a vehicle fully equipped for service, not including the weight of its payload.

Unrated Carrier

A motor carrier without an assigned safety rating from the FHWA.