Glossary

Automatic On-Board Recording Device. Electronic device that automatically records a driver's Record of Duty Status (RODS) by monitoring vehicle parameters.

The weight supported by an individual axle, typically measured to ensure compliance with legal weight limits.

A legal document that details the type, quantity, and destination of goods being transported. It serves as a receipt and contract between the shipper and carrier.

A license required to operate commercial vehicles such as tractor-trailers, buses, and large trucks.

A company or individual that transports goods or passengers.

Driving a truck without a trailer, often returning from a delivery or to pick up a new load.

Instructions given to drivers about loads, routes, and schedules by the carrier or dispatcher.

Electronic Logging Device. Technology that automatically records driving time and Hours of Service records for commercial drivers.

Digital record-keeping system used to track a driver's hours of service and compliance with regulations.

The coupling device mounted on a tractor that connects it to a semi-trailer.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The federal agency that regulates the trucking industry in the United States.

The maximum weight a vehicle can safely carry, including cargo and passengers.

Materials or substances classified as potentially harmful or dangerous during transportation.

An agreement between states and Canadian provinces to simplify fuel tax reporting for interstate carriers.

A situation where the trailer of a truck swings outward, forming an acute angle with the cab, usually resulting in loss of control.

The pin on a trailer that locks it onto the fifth wheel of the tractor.

Shipping method for smaller loads that do not require an entire trailer.

Payment to drivers based on the number of miles driven.

A truck that does not require a commercial driver's license to operate, usually lighter vehicles.

Refers to long-distance driving, typically across state lines.

A portable platform used for storing and transporting goods, often lifted by forklifts.

A person who ensures the safety and compliance of a trucking company's operations.

Refrigerated trailer used for transporting temperature-sensitive goods.

A facility where trucks are weighed to ensure they comply with weight regulations.

A set of two axles placed close together to evenly distribute weight on the trailer.

Refers to a vehicle operating without cargo or payload, typically used to describe the weight of a truck or trailer when empty.

A unique identifier assigned to commercial vehicles by the United States Department of Transportation.

A unique code used to identify individual vehicles.

Slang for the fifth wheel release handle, which, if not properly handled, can cause injury or accidents.

Convertible dollies used for transporting containers or trailers.

A person who moves trailers or containers within a yard or terminal.

A technique where drivers merge in a zigzag pattern when lanes are reduced, improving traffic flow.