Trucking Terms Explained — Simple and Easy
If you are a truck driver, knowing the common words used in trucking is very important. It helps you understand your job, talk to others, and avoid confusion. Learning these words can help you feel more confident and make your work easier.
To help you, we created a simple list of important trucking words and their meanings. Keep this list with you. It can help you understand documents, talk to dispatch or law enforcement, and do your job better.
Trucking Words You Should Know
Word | What It Means |
Accessorials | Extra services like waiting time or unloading help |
ABS | A safety system that helps your brakes work better |
Backhaul | Bringing a load back on your return trip |
Bill of Lading | A paper that shows what you are carrying and where it’s going |
Bobtail | Driving your truck without a trailer |
Cab | Where the driver sits in the truck |
CDL | A special license to drive large trucks |
Deadhead | Driving your truck with no load |
Detention | A fee for making you wait too long to load or unload |
Dry Van | A closed box trailer (most common type) |
ELD | A system that records your driving hours |
Freight | The load or cargo you carry |
Hazmat | Dangerous materials like fuel or chemicals |
HOS | The rules for how long you can drive and when you must rest |
IFTA | A system for reporting fuel use across states |
Logbook | A record of your working and driving hours |
Manifest | A list that shows everything you are carrying |
Owner Operator | A driver who owns their own truck |
Payload | The weight of your cargo |
Reefer | A trailer that keeps things cold (refrigerated) |
Sleeper | A space in your truck for sleeping |
Tandem | Two axles close together |
TONU | A fee when the load is canceled but the truck was already sent |
Triples | Three trailers pulled by one truck |
Yard Goat | A small truck used to move trailers in a parking yard |
Why This is important to truck drivers who aren’t native English speakers
Knowing these words helps you:
- Understand paperwork and instructions
- Talk clearly to dispatch and police
- Feel more confident on the road
Need to Learn More English for Trucking?
If you struggle with English, our RoadTalkz app can help:
- Learn English using pictures and real examples
- Practice speaking, reading, and listening
- Get ready for inspections, logs, and road signs
Start learning English for the road — join the waiting list now!
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