Trucking Glossary

Federal rules governing commercial drivers’ driving, duty time, and rest (49 CFR Part 395). Under the general property-carrier rules, 10 consecutive hours off duty permit up to 11 hours of driving within a 14-hour window after coming on duty.

An electronic device used to record driver duty status. Federal rules generally require ELDs for drivers who must keep records of duty status (RODS), subject to exceptions.

The record of a driver's daily status segments (driving/on-duty/off/sleeper) — now mostly maintained by an ELD.

The category recorded for each period: Off Duty, Sleeper Berth, Driving, or On Duty, Not Driving. Record the actual activity and responsibilities. An electronic logging device (ELD) does not decide every waiting, loading, or rest period for the driver.

A Driver Vehicle Inspection Report records vehicle defects discovered by or reported to the driver that could affect safety or cause a breakdown. It is distinct from the pre-trip check that the vehicle is safe to operate.

A commercial-vehicle compliance inspection conducted by authorized enforcement personnel at roadside or an inspection facility. Its scope varies and may cover the driver, documents, and vehicle condition.

An order restricting a driver or vehicle from operation until the conditions required by the order and applicable rules are met.

An individual or business that actually transports freight. Registration and authority requirements depend on the vehicle, cargo, and operation; not every carrier needs the same operating authority.

A person coordinating drivers’ work: communicating pickup and delivery details, tracking progress, and handling changes. Some also find loads and negotiate rates. Dispatchers may work inside a carrier or provide an outside service.

A driver's check before operating to confirm that the vehicle is in safe working condition, commonly covering the tractor, trailer, brakes, tires, lights, coupling, and cargo securement. It is a pre-driving safety judgment, not the same as completing a DVIR, a roadside inspection, or a periodic inspection.

The use of vehicle structures, dunnage, blocking, bracing, tiedowns, chains, or other suitable means to contain, immobilize, or restrain cargo so it does not leak, fall, or shift enough to affect vehicle stability or handling. A container seal indicates closure or identity; it does not secure the cargo.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: the manufacturer’s loaded-weight rating for a single vehicle, including the vehicle, people, fuel, and cargo. It is not the current scale weight or cargo capacity. Road, axle, and combination-weight limits must be checked separately.

The weight that a vehicle and its cargo place on the road through one axle or an axle group. A legal gross weight does not prove every axle is legal; axle spacing, tire ratings, state law, route restrictions, and permit conditions can all affect the allowed weight.

A record issued after a vehicle is weighed, commonly showing vehicle identifiers, weighing time, and axle-group or gross weights; a licensed weighmaster may issue a formal weight certificate. It records that weighing event and is not permission to load, a road permit, or an overweight exemption.

A fixed or temporary enforcement facility used to weigh and inspect commercial vehicles for weight, size, equipment, loading, registration, and driver requirements. It differs from a commercial public scale that sells a weighing ticket and may involve more than weighing alone.