The trucking industry has its own language. Brokers, dispatchers, shippers, and FMCSA regulations all use terms that are second nature to experienced carriers but completely foreign to someone just starting out. Here are the most important ones.
A
ACH (Automated Clearing House)
The electronic bank-to-bank payment system used for direct deposit. When brokers pay you by "direct deposit," they use ACH. Requires your routing and account number.
Authority (Operating Authority)
Your legal right to operate as a for-hire motor carrier in interstate commerce. Issued by the FMCSA. Also called MC authority. Required before you can legally haul freight for brokers.
Axle Weight
The weight on a specific axle or group of axles. Federal limits: 20,000 lbs single axle, 34,000 lbs tandem axle. Exceeding axle weights results in fines even if gross weight is legal.
B
Bill of Lading (BOL)
The most important document in trucking. Issued by the shipper at pickup — serves as a receipt of freight, contract of carriage, and sometimes title document. You must have a signed BOL at pickup and a signed POD at delivery.
BMC-84
The $75,000 surety bond that all licensed freight brokers must carry. Protects carriers if a broker fails to pay. You can file a claim against a broker's BMC-84 bond if they owe you money and won't pay.
BOC-3
Designation of Agents for Service of Process — a required FMCSA filing that designates legal agents in every state. Required before your MC authority becomes active. Filed by a process agent company for a one-time fee.
Bobtail
Driving a semi-truck without a trailer attached. Also refers to bobtail insurance — coverage for when you're driving your truck without a trailer and not under dispatch.
Broker-Carrier Agreement
The legal contract between a freight broker and a motor carrier. Defines payment terms, liability, cargo responsibility, and operating requirements. Both parties sign before the first load is hauled.
C
Cargo Insurance
Insurance that covers freight you're hauling if it's lost, damaged, or stolen. Most brokers require $100,000 minimum. Does not cover your truck — that's physical damage insurance.
Carrier Packet
A collection of documents freight brokers require before giving you loads — includes your MC/DOT numbers, insurance proof, W-9, equipment details, banking info, and signed broker-carrier agreement.
Carmack Amendment
Federal law (49 U.S.C. § 14706) that governs carrier liability for freight in interstate commerce. Under Carmack, carriers are presumed liable for cargo loss or damage. Your cargo insurance covers you against Carmack liability.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
A one-page summary of your insurance coverage issued by your insurance agent. Not the same as your policy. Brokers need this to verify your coverage levels. Get it from your agent — usually arrives same day.
COD (Cash On Delivery)
Payment collected at delivery rather than invoiced. Rare in freight but sometimes used for specialty loads.
Consignee
The party receiving the freight at the destination. The "ship to" address. You get the consignee's signature on the BOL/POD at delivery.
CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability)
The FMCSA's safety measurement system that scores carriers across 7 categories based on inspection violations and crashes. High CSA scores can prevent you from getting approved by brokers.
D
DAT (Dial-A-Truck)
The largest freight load board in North America with 1M+ daily loads. Most carriers subscribe to DAT to find available freight.
Deadhead Miles
Miles driven without a paying load — driving empty to a pickup location or driving home after a delivery. Minimizing deadhead is key to profitability.
Detention Pay
Payment for time spent waiting at a shipper or consignee beyond the free time window (typically 2 hours). Usually $25-75/hour. Must be negotiated and included in the rate confirmation.
DOT Number
US Department of Transportation identification number issued by the FMCSA. Used for safety tracking and inspection data. Different from your MC number.
Double Brokering
When a freight broker takes a load and gives it to another broker rather than an actual carrier. Illegal under FMCSA regulations and often associated with freight fraud and non-payment of carriers.
Dry Van
The most common trailer type — an enclosed, non-refrigerated 48- or 53-foot trailer for hauling general freight like boxes, pallets, and consumer goods.
E
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
A federal tax ID number assigned to your business by the IRS. Used on your W-9 instead of your personal SSN. Apply free at irs.gov. Recommended for all owner-operators.
ELD (Electronic Logging Device)
A device that electronically records your hours of service (HOS). Required for most commercial drivers in interstate commerce. Must be FMCSA-registered. Automatically tracks driving time and duty status.
F
Factoring (Freight Factoring)
Selling your freight invoices to a financial company in exchange for immediate cash (90-97% of invoice value). The factoring company then collects from the broker. Costs 2-5% of invoice but gives you same-day cash instead of waiting net 30.
FCFS (First Come, First Served)
A pickup or delivery that doesn't have a set appointment time — carriers are loaded or unloaded in the order they arrive. Opposite of appointment scheduling.
FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)
The federal agency that regulates commercial motor vehicles in the US. Issues MC authority and DOT numbers, sets insurance minimums, enforces hours of service, and maintains the SAFER database.
FSC (Fuel Surcharge)
An additional payment on top of the base linehaul rate to compensate for fuel costs. Fluctuates weekly based on national diesel prices. Listed separately on most rate confirmations.
G — H
GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum total weight of a tractor + trailer combination as rated by the manufacturer. Determines regulatory requirements including ELD mandate thresholds.
HOS (Hours of Service)
FMCSA regulations limiting driving and on-duty time for commercial drivers. Key rules: 11-hour driving limit, 14-hour on-duty window, 30-minute break after 8 hours, 60/70-hour weekly limit.
Hotshot Trucking
Hauling freight with a heavy-duty pickup truck (Class 3-5) and a gooseneck or bumper-pull trailer. Popular for time-sensitive, smaller loads. Lower startup costs than semi-truck operations.
L — M
Linehaul Rate
The base payment for hauling a load, excluding fuel surcharge and accessorial charges. Usually expressed as a flat total or per-mile rate.
Load Board
An online marketplace where freight brokers post available loads and carriers search for freight. Major boards: DAT One, Truckstop.com, 123Loadboard.
Lumper
A person hired to unload freight from your truck. Some shippers provide lumper services. If you're required to pay for unloading, you should have a "lumper allowance" included in your rate confirmation.
MC Number (Motor Carrier Number)
Your federal operating authority number issued by the FMCSA. Required to haul for-hire freight across state lines. Also called "MC authority."
MCS-90
An insurance endorsement required by the FMCSA for all motor carriers. Your insurer files this with the FMCSA to prove you have the required minimum liability insurance.
N — P
Net 30
Payment terms meaning the broker has 30 days from receipt of your signed delivery documents to pay your invoice. The clock starts when they receive your BOL and POD — not when you deliver.
NOA (Notice of Assignment)
A document from your factoring company that notifies brokers to send payment to the factoring company rather than directly to you. Required in your carrier packet if you use factoring.
NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification)
The standard system for classifying freight in 18 classes (50-500) for LTL shipping. Higher class = more expensive shipping rates. Classification based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.
POD (Proof of Delivery)
The signed delivery receipt from the consignee confirming your freight was delivered. Usually the signed BOL or a separate delivery receipt. Required to trigger broker payment.
R — S
Rate Confirmation
The written contract from a freight broker confirming a specific load — rate, pickup/delivery locations, weight, commodity, and payment terms. Always read every line before accepting.
Reefer
A refrigerated trailer that maintains temperature for perishable freight. More expensive to operate than dry van but pays higher rates. Common loads: produce, dairy, meat, pharmaceuticals.
SAFER System
FMCSA's Safety and Fitness Electronic Records system at safer.fmcsa.dot.gov. Used to look up MC numbers, DOT numbers, verify operating authority, and check insurance filings.
Shipper
The company or person sending the freight. The "ship from" party. Issues the Bill of Lading at pickup.
Spot Rate
A one-time load rate negotiated on the open market (load board). As opposed to a contract rate on a regular lane. Spot rates fluctuate with supply and demand.
T — W
TONU (Truck Ordered Not Used)
Compensation paid when a broker cancels a load after you've already dispatched (committed your truck). Should be negotiated and specified in the rate confirmation before dispatch.
UCR (Unified Carrier Registration)
Annual federal registration fee required for motor carriers, freight brokers, and freight forwarders in interstate commerce. Starts at ~$69/year for carriers with 0-2 power units. Register at ucr.gov.
W-9
IRS tax form containing your legal business name and Tax Identification Number (EIN or SSN). Every broker requires a signed W-9 before they can pay you — so they can issue a 1099 at year end.
Weight Ticket (Scale Ticket)
A receipt from a certified scale showing the gross weight, axle weights, and tare weight of your vehicle. Required for overweight/oversize permits and as proof you're within legal weight limits.
Glosario de transporte — Español
Definiciones en español de los términos más importantes en el transporte de carga en EE.UU.
Autoridad MC (Autoridad Operativa)
Tu derecho legal para operar como transportista a sueldo en el comercio interestatal. Emitida por la FMCSA. Requerida antes de transportar carga legalmente para brokers.
Bill of Lading (BOL / Conocimiento de Embarque)
El documento más importante en el transporte. Emitido por el remitente al recoger — sirve como recibo de carga y contrato de transporte. Debes tener un BOL firmado al recoger y un POD firmado al entregar.
Broker de Carga (Freight Broker)
Un intermediario con licencia de la FMCSA que conecta a los remitentes (quienes necesitan mover carga) con los transportistas (quienes la mueven). Organizan las cargas pero no las transportan ellos mismos.
Carrier Packet (Paquete de Transportista)
Una colección de documentos que los freight brokers requieren de ti antes de darte cargas — incluye tus números MC/DOT, prueba de seguro, W-9, detalles del equipo, información bancaria y acuerdo broker-transportista firmado.
Certificado de Seguro (COI)
Un resumen de una página de tu cobertura de seguro emitido por tu agente de seguros. Los brokers lo necesitan para verificar tus niveles de cobertura. Obtenerlo de tu agente — generalmente llega el mismo día.
CSA (Cumplimiento, Seguridad y Responsabilidad)
El sistema de medición de seguridad de la FMCSA que califica a los transportistas en 7 categorías basadas en violaciones de inspección y accidentes. Puntuaciones altas pueden impedirte ser aprobado por brokers.
Doble Corretaje (Double Brokering)
Cuando un freight broker toma una carga y se la da a otro broker en lugar de a un transportista real. Ilegal según las regulaciones de la FMCSA y a menudo asociado con fraude de carga y falta de pago a transportistas.
EIN (Número de Identificación del Empleador)
Un número de identificación fiscal federal asignado a tu empresa por el IRS. Se usa en tu W-9 en lugar de tu SSN personal. Solícitalo gratis en irs.gov.
ELD (Dispositivo de Registro Electrónico)
Un dispositivo que registra electrónicamente tus horas de servicio (HOS). Requerido para la mayoría de los conductores comerciales en el comercio interestatal.
Factoraje de Carga (Freight Factoring)
Vender tus facturas de carga a una empresa financiera a cambio de efectivo inmediato (90-97% del valor de la factura). La empresa de factoraje luego cobra del broker. Cuesta 2-5% de la factura pero te da efectivo el mismo día.
FMCSA
Administración Federal de Seguridad de Autotransporte — la agencia federal que regula los vehículos comerciales en EE.UU. Emite la autoridad MC y los números DOT, establece los mínimos de seguro y hace cumplir las horas de servicio.
Formulario W-9
Formulario del IRS que contiene el nombre legal de tu empresa y tu número de identificación fiscal (EIN o SSN). Cada broker requiere un W-9 firmado antes de poder pagarte — para que puedan emitir un 1099 al final del año.
Horas de Servicio (HOS)
Regulaciones de la FMCSA que limitan el tiempo de conducción y de servicio para conductores comerciales. Reglas clave: límite de 11 horas de conducción, ventana de 14 horas en servicio, descanso de 30 minutos después de 8 horas.
Load Board (Bolsa de Carga)
Un mercado en línea donde los freight brokers publican cargas disponibles y los transportistas las buscan. Los principales: DAT One, Truckstop.com, 123Loadboard.
Neto 30 (Net 30)
Términos de pago que significan que el broker tiene 30 días desde la recepción de tus documentos de entrega firmados para pagarte. El reloj comienza cuando reciben tu BOL y POD — no cuando entregas.
NOA (Aviso de Cesión)
Un documento de tu empresa de factoraje que notifica a los brokers que envíen el pago a la empresa de factoraje en lugar de directamente a ti. Requerido en tu carrier packet si usas factoraje.
Número MC (Número de Transportista)
Tu número de autoridad operativa federal emitido por la FMCSA. Requerido para transportar carga a sueldo a través de líneas estatales.
POD (Prueba de Entrega)
El recibo de entrega firmado del consignatario confirmando que tu carga fue entregada. Requerido para activar el pago del broker.
Rate Confirmation (Confirmación de Tarifa)
El contrato escrito de un freight broker confirmando una carga específica — tarifa, ubicaciones de recogida/entrega, peso, mercancía y términos de pago. Lee cada línea antes de aceptar.
Recargo por Combustible (FSC)
Un pago adicional sobre tu tarifa base de línea para compensar los costos de combustible. Fluctúa semanalmente según los precios nacionales del diésel.