100 Terms Every Truck Driver Should Know

No.	Term	Definition
1.	Accident register	Record of crashes and incident details.
2.	Air brake	Compressed-air braking system used on heavy vehicles.
3.	Air pressure gauge	Displays brake air system pressure.
4.	Axle	Shaft supporting wheels; affects weight distribution.
5.	Backing	Reversing the truck into position.
6.	Base plate	Mounting plate for fifth wheel connection.
7.	Bill of lading	Legal document describing freight and terms.
8.	Blind spot	Area not visible in mirrors.
9.	Bobtail	Tractor operating without a trailer.
10.	Brake chamber	Air device converting pressure into braking force.
11.	Bridge law	Rules limiting weight by axle spacing.
12.	Bulkhead	Front wall separating cargo from cab.
13.	Bunk	Sleeper berth bed area.
14.	CAB card	Vehicle registration proof for interstate operations.
15.	Cabover	Truck with cab over engine.
16.	Cargo securement	Methods to prevent load shifting or loss.
17.	Carrier	Company responsible for transporting freight.
18.	CDL	Commercial Driver’s License required for CMVs.
19.	Chain up	Install tire chains for traction.
20.	Chock	Block placed to prevent wheel movement.
21.	Clearance lights	Marker lights showing vehicle width and height.
22.	CMV	Commercial motor vehicle as defined by law.
23.	Coil rack	Trailer equipment for steel coil hauling.
24.	Combination vehicle	Tractor and trailer linked as one unit.
25.	Consignee	Receiver of the shipped goods.
26.	Consignor	Shipper sending the goods.
27.	Coupling	Connecting tractor to trailer.
28.	Cross-docking	Transfer freight between trailers without storage.
29.	Deadhead	Driving with empty trailer or no load.
30.	DEF	Diesel exhaust fluid for emissions systems.
31.	Detention	Delay time at shipper or receiver.
32.	Diesel particulate filter	Exhaust filter trapping soot particles.
33.	Dolly	Converter gear connecting trailers in doubles.
34.	DOT number	Federal identifier for motor carriers.
35.	Drop and hook	Swap trailers without live loading.
36.	Dry van	Enclosed box trailer for general freight.
37.	E-log	Electronic record of duty status.
38.	ECM	Engine control module managing engine operations.
39.	ELD	Electronic logging device for HOS compliance.
40.	Engine brake	Uses engine to slow vehicle downhill.
41.	Exhaust brake	Creates backpressure to slow engine speed.
42.	FAK	Freight all kinds; mixed commodities rating.
43.	Fifth wheel	Coupling device on tractor for trailer kingpin.
44.	Fire extinguisher	Required safety device for cab emergencies.
45.	Fleet manager	Dispatcher coordinating loads and driver support.
46.	FMCSA	U.S. regulator for commercial motor carriers.
47.	Fuel island	Truck stop area for fueling.
48.	GAWR	Maximum allowed weight on a single axle.
49.	GCWR	Maximum combined weight of truck and trailer.
50.	Gear down	Shift to lower gear for control.
51.	Gladhand	Air line coupler between tractor and trailer.
52.	Gross weight	Total weight of vehicle plus load.
53.	GVWR	Maximum legal weight of a single vehicle.
54.	Hazmat	Regulated hazardous materials requiring special compliance.
55.	Headache rack	Cab guard preventing cargo from striking cab.
56.	HOS	Hours-of-service driving and rest limits.
57.	Hubometer	Device tracking miles driven by axle rotation.
58.	ICC bumper	Rear underride guard to prevent car underride.
59.	IFTA	Fuel tax reporting agreement across jurisdictions.
60.	In-cab inspection	Checks gauges, lights, and controls before driving.
61.	Intermodal	Freight moved using multiple transport modes.
62.	Jake brake	Slang for engine compression brake.
63.	Kingpin	Trailer pin locking into fifth wheel jaws.
64.	Landing gear	Trailer legs supporting front when uncoupled.
65.	Lane departure warning	System alerting unintended lane drift.
66.	Liftgate	Hydraulic platform for loading at delivery.
67.	Load lock	Adjustable bar securing freight inside trailer.
68.	Logbook	Record of duty status and driving time.
69.	Lumbar support	Seat adjustment supporting lower back.
70.	Manifest	List of cargo items and destinations.
71.	MC number	Motor carrier operating authority identifier.
72.	Minimum tread depth	Legal minimum tire tread measurement.
73.	Mudflap	Rubber flap reducing spray and debris.
74.	No-touch freight	Driver not required to load or unload.
75.	OOS	Out-of-service; vehicle or driver prohibited operating.
76.	Oversize load	Load exceeding standard legal dimensions.
77.	Owner-operator	Driver who owns and runs the truck.
78.	Permit book	Collection of permits for routes and loads.
79.	Pigtail	Electrical cable between tractor and trailer.
80.	Pre-trip inspection	Required safety inspection before driving.
81.	PSI	Pounds per square inch; tire or air pressure.
82.	PTI	Post-trip inspection after completing a run.
83.	Pump and dump	Unload liquid cargo from tanker by pumping.
84.	Reefer	Refrigerated trailer maintaining controlled temperatures.
85.	Regeneration	DPF cleaning cycle burning off soot.
86.	Retarder	Device slowing vehicle without service brakes.
87.	Scale house	Weigh station office for inspections and tickets.
88.	Seal	Numbered lock showing trailer wasn’t opened.
89.	Service brakes	Primary foot-operated braking system.
90.	Shipper	Party that tenders freight for transport.
91.	Sliding tandems	Move trailer axles to adjust weight distribution.
92.	Spotter	Person guiding backing and tight maneuvers.
93.	Steer axle	Front axle used for steering.
94.	Tandem axle	Two axles grouped closely for load support.
95.	Tarps	Covers protecting flatbed cargo from weather.
96.	Tire blowout	Sudden tire failure causing loss of control risk.
97.	Trip plan	Route, fuel, stops, and timing strategy.
98.	Turn radius	Space needed for truck to complete a turn.
99.	Under-ride guard	Rear guard preventing smaller vehicles underriding trailer.
100.	Waybill	Shipping document listing route and freight details.