Trucking Glossary

Whether you are new to the trucking industry or have been working as a commercial truck driver for ages, you know the trucking industry has invented a vocabulary of its own. This can get confusing if you are unfamiliar with some of the key terms, which is why we put together this glossary of terms that are commonly used among commercial drivers in the trucking industry.  

After-Market Parts

Parts that are produced by other vendors rather than being produced by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM)

Need semi-truck parts? We’re happy to help! Learn more about our parts department.

Bill of Lading

The paperwork that is provided at a delivery stating the shipping information and a list of the goods

Bobtail

A tractor without a trailer attached

CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)

Required to drive any commercial vehicle over 26,000 lbs Gross Vehicle Weight

Day Cab

Heavy-duty truck with no sleeper

Deadhead

Driving to a destination without any cargo on the truck. Since most trucks are paid by the mile when loaded, this would be moving the truck for free.

ELD (Electronic Logging Device)

This is required on all trucks and records speed, time in service, driver’s duty status, and hours of service for the driver

Elite Support

Daimler Truck North America’s format to measure minimum dealership standards to qualify as a certified location

Learn more about the Elite Support Certification.

EOBR (Electric On-Board Recorder)

Records vehicle parameters & statistics

For-Hire Carrier

A trucking company that transports freight for other companies

Hours of Service

Term referencing the Department of Transportation’s rules limiting the number of hours a driver can work consecutively

Intermodal (Transportation)

When shipping freight requires more than one mode of transportation for the same shipment (eg. rail, air, truck, sea)

LCV (Long Combination Vehicle)

Vehicles longer than standard

Linehaul

The rate or price associated with a specific lane that may be quoted per mile or per trip

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

The amount of freight is less than the amount needed to be charged at the regular truckload rate (i.e. the freight is less than 10,000 lbs). Since it is less freight than usual, it may be consolidated with something else or it will be shipped as is for a less-than-truckload rate.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer)

This is who builds the truck; they are the original producer of the vehicle’s components, so any parts they put out are identical to the parts the truck was originally made with

Peddle Run

When a truck has to make frequent delivery stops in order to complete the shipment

Reefer (Truck)

Truck capable of transporting goods under temperature controlled body or trailer; often used to transport food since it is refrigerated

Sleeper (Truck)

A type of truck that allows for there to be a bed behind the driver seat