Short Haul Trucking Industry Terminology

Accessorial Charges

Optional or extra service fees added to base freight rates (e.g., detention, liftgate, inside delivery, residential surcharge). Common in short-haul P&D where special handling and tight delivery environments are frequent.

Examples: 1) Add a liftgate accessorial to the quote. 2) We billed detention as an accessorial after two hours at the dock. 3) Inside delivery is an accessorial the customer approved.

Appointment Scheduling

Coordinating pickup or delivery time windows with shippers/consignees. Reduces wait times, improves dock flow, and supports time-critical short-haul operations.

Examples: 1) The consignee requires a 10:00–10:30 appointment. 2) Dispatch is booking delivery appointments to avoid detention. 3) The shipper is FCFS, no appointment needed.

Backhaul

A load that returns a truck toward its home base or balances an outbound-heavy lane. Minimizes empty miles in short-haul routing.

Examples: 1) We found a backhaul bringing pallets back to the DC. 2) That lane is outbound-heavy; backhauls are scarce. 3) Dispatch paired the morning P&D with an afternoon backhaul.

Bill of Lading (BOL)

The legal shipment contract and receipt between shipper and carrier detailing items shipped, addresses, and terms. Required for pickup, transit, and delivery.

Examples: 1) Make sure the driver leaves with a signed BOL. 2) The BOL lists three pallets, 2,000 pounds. 3) Note OS&D exceptions directly on the BOL.

Bridge Formula (Bridge Law)

Federal and state rules that limit axle loads based on spacing between axles to protect road bridges. Impacts how freight is distributed and tandem positions.

Examples: 1) Slide the tandems to satisfy the bridge formula. 2) We reworked pallets to stay within bridge law limits. 3) The weigh station flagged us for bridge spacing.

Carrier

A for-hire motor carrier (trucking company) moving freight for shippers or brokers. In short-haul, often runs P&D, cross-dock, and regional loops.

Examples: 1) The carrier offers same-day P&D in this zone. 2) We onboarded a local carrier for last-mile. 3) The carrier’s DOT number is on the cab door.

Consignee

The party receiving the shipment at delivery. Often retail stores, job sites, or distribution centers in short-haul networks.

Examples: 1) The consignee closes at 3 p.m. 2) Ask the consignee for a live unload appointment. 3) The consignee refused one damaged pallet.

Cross-Docking

Moving goods directly from inbound to outbound trucks with minimal storage. Core to LTL and short-haul speed and consolidation.

Examples: 1) Freight cross-docks at 2 a.m. for morning P&D. 2) We bypass storage with a cross-dock move. 3) The LTL terminal uses cross-docking to build routes.

CSA Score

FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability measurement of carrier safety performance across BASIC categories. Affects insurance, shipper selection, and inspections.

Examples: 1) Brokers check our CSA scores before tendering loads. 2) DVIR defects can impact CSA. 3) Safety training helped improve our CSA.

Deadhead

Operating a truck without cargo. Short-haul carriers try to minimize deadhead through efficient routing and backhauls.

Examples: 1) We’re deadheading 30 miles to the next pickup. 2) Route optimization reduced deadhead by 12%. 3) Offer a discounted backhaul to avoid deadhead.

Detention Time

Carrier waiting time at a shipper/consignee beyond the agreed free time. Typically billed hourly; common in tight urban docks.

Examples: 1) Detention starts after 60 minutes free time. 2) Appointment compliance reduced our detention charges. 3) We negotiated detention in the carrier contract.

DOT (U.S. Department of Transportation)

Federal agency overseeing transportation safety and compliance, including FMCSA regulations governing motor carriers, drivers, vehicles, and operations.

Examples: 1) Keep the DOT number visible on both sides. 2) DOT requires annual inspections. 3) DOT rules define HOS and ELD use.

Drayage

Short-distance container moves, typically between ports/rail ramps and nearby warehouses. A major short-haul segment linked to intermodal.

Examples: 1) We handle drayage from the port to the cross-dock. 2) TWIC is required for the drayage job tomorrow. 3) Short drayage hauls need fast turn times.

DVIR (Driver Vehicle Inspection Report)

Required pre-/post-trip inspection documentation noting vehicle condition and defects for repair and compliance.

Examples: 1) Submit post-trip DVIRs before end of shift. 2) The DVIR flagged a tire defect. 3) DVIR completion improved our CSA maintenance BASIC.

ELD (Electronic Logging Device)

Device that electronically records driver HOS and duty status. Mandated for most carriers, with exemptions for qualifying short-haul operations.

Examples: 1) The ELD auto-records drive time. 2) Short-haul exemption may mean no ELD logs. 3) Dispatch checks ELD status for HOS compliance.

ETA/ETD (Estimated Time of Arrival/Departure)

Projected arrival and departure times for pickups or deliveries. Central to appointment compliance and customer communication.

Examples: 1) Update the consignee with a 10:15 ETA. 2) ETD from the shipper is 08:40. 3) TMS recalculated ETA after traffic delay.

Freight Class (NMFC Class)

Standardized LTL pricing category from NMFC (Classes 50–500) based on density, handling, stowability, and liability. Determines LTL rates.

Examples: 1) That SKU ships at Class 70. 2) Reclassing increased the LTL rate. 3) Density affects freight class in LTL pricing.

Freight Factoring

Selling accounts receivable (freight bills) to a third party at a discount for immediate cash. Common for small short-haul carriers to smooth working capital.

Examples: 1) We factored our invoices for faster cash flow. 2) The factor advances 90% on POD. 3) Factoring fees are 2% for 30 days.

Fuel Surcharge

A variable fee added to freight rates to offset fuel price volatility, often indexed to DOE diesel prices.

Examples: 1) Our FSC updates weekly with DOE rates. 2) Quote shows base rate plus fuel surcharge. 3) Short-haul FSC uses a cents-per-mile table.

GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

Maximum safe total vehicle weight including chassis, fuel, driver, and payload as specified by the manufacturer.

Examples: 1) This straight truck’s GVWR is 26,000 lbs. 2) Do not exceed GVWR with heavy pallets. 3) GVWR determines CDL requirements.

HOS (Hours of Service)

FMCSA rules that limit driving and on-duty time to prevent fatigue. Short-haul exemptions modify recordkeeping and duty windows.

Examples: 1) The 14-hour rule limits today’s route. 2) Use the short-haul HOS exception for local P&D. 3) Driver hit the 30-minute break requirement.

JIT (Just-in-Time)

Inventory strategy minimizing stock by timing deliveries to production or sales needs. Drives tight schedules for short-haul carriers.

Examples: 1) Auto plant runs JIT; deliveries must hit the window. 2) JIT lanes require high on-time performance. 3) We built a milk run for JIT suppliers.

Lane (Freight Lane)

A regular origin-destination pairing used for pricing, capacity planning, and routing.

Examples: 1) Our best lane is DC to zip 752xx. 2) Rate that lane by day of week. 3) We added a return lane to cut deadhead.

Last Mile

Final leg of delivery to the end customer or retail location. Emphasizes time windows, access constraints, and customer experience.

Examples: 1) We specialize in last-mile retail deliveries. 2) Residential last mile needs liftgates. 3) Tight delivery windows define last-mile performance.

Liftgate

Hydraulic platform on the truck’s rear to raise/lower freight when no dock is available. Common in urban short-haul.

Examples: 1) Add a liftgate accessorial for the boutique delivery. 2) The liftgate is PTO-powered. 3) No dock? Use the liftgate for unload.

Lumper Fee

Charges for third-party unloading services at warehouses or grocery DCs. Usually paid by carrier/driver and reimbursed by shipper.

Examples: 1) Submit the lumper receipt for reimbursement. 2) The DC requires third‑party lumpers. 3) Lumper fees are billable accessorials.

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

Freight that doesn’t require a full trailer; multiple shipments share a vehicle. Uses terminals, cross-docking, and class-based pricing.

Examples: 1) We run LTL P&D out of the terminal. 2) LTL pricing depends on NMFC class and density. 3) The cross-dock builds LTL routes nightly.

Milk Run

A looped route with multiple pickups/deliveries on a fixed schedule to consolidate volume and reduce trips.

Examples: 1) The milk run hits five vendors before noon. 2) We designed a milk run to stabilize lead times. 3) JIT plants love milk run schedules.

Multi-Stop Route

A single trip serving multiple locations, common in short-haul retail, grocery, and parcel-like operations.

Examples: 1) Plan a multi-stop to cover three stores. 2) Multi-stop rates include stop-off charges. 3) Optimize stop order to cut dwell time.

NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification)

Industry publication assigning item numbers and classes used for LTL pricing and tariff rules.

Examples: 1) Check NMFC item and class before rating LTL. 2) The NMFC item changed due to packaging. 3) Misclassification caused a re-bill.

No-Touch Freight

Loads where drivers are not responsible for loading/unloading. Reduces physical strain and time at dock.

Examples: 1) This route is all no-touch deliveries. 2) Driver does not palletize—no-touch only. 3) We charge more for touch freight vs. no-touch.

OS&D (Over, Short, and Damaged)

Discrepancies between shipped and received goods. Requires documentation at delivery and may trigger claims.

Examples: 1) File OS&D with photos on the TMS. 2) Note shortages on the BOL to document OS&D. 3) Our OS&D rate fell after better packaging.

P&D (Pickup and Delivery)

Local terminal-based operations picking up and delivering shipments within a service area. Core to short-haul and LTL.

Examples: 1) The P&D driver starts at 7 a.m. 2) We cover P&D in a 75-mile radius. 3) P&D scans feed real-time tracking.

Pallet Jack

Manual or electric tool for moving palletized freight in trucks or on docks. Essential for liftgate deliveries and tight spaces.

Examples: 1) Bring a pallet jack for store deliveries. 2) Electric jacks speed our P&D unloads. 3) The jack can’t handle that incline safely.

Payload

The weight of cargo carried, excluding the vehicle’s own weight (tare). Determines loading capacity within legal limits.

Examples: 1) Our payload is limited by GVWR. 2) The payload today is 10,200 lbs. 3) Reweigh to confirm payload after rework.

POD (Proof of Delivery)

Document or digital confirmation that goods were delivered and received, often with signature, timestamp, and condition notes.

Examples: 1) Capture a photo POD in the app. 2) The signed POD clears billing. 3) POD shows one carton refused.

Pre-Trip Inspection

Driver’s required inspection of vehicle condition prior to operation, often recorded in DVIR for safety compliance.

Examples: 1) Complete the pre-trip before leaving the yard. 2) Pre-trip found a brake light out. 3) Pre-trip compliance reduces road calls.

Preventive Maintenance (PM)

Scheduled servicing (inspections, oil, tires, brakes) to keep vehicles safe, compliant, and reliable.

Examples: 1) The straight truck is due for PM A. 2) PM scheduling cut roadside breakdowns by 30%. 3) Log PM records for audits.

PTO (Power Take-Off)

Mechanism that transfers engine power to auxiliary equipment (e.g., liftgates, pumps), common on short-haul delivery trucks.

Examples: 1) The PTO powers the liftgate pump. 2) Turn off the PTO before driving. 3) PTO maintenance is in the PM plan.

Reefer (Refrigerated Trailer)

Temperature-controlled unit for perishable goods. Short-haul reefer runs are common for grocery and foodservice delivery.

Examples: 1) Set the reefer to 36°F for produce. 2) We logged continuous mode on the reefer. 3) Reefer fuel is billed separately.

Route Optimization

Using data and algorithms to plan efficient stop order, lanes, and schedules to reduce miles, time, and cost.

Examples: 1) Software re-sequenced stops to cut 12 miles. 2) Optimization balanced load times and traffic. 3) We optimized routes around school zones.

Shipper

The party sending goods from origin. Works with carriers or brokers to arrange pickups and tender freight.

Examples: 1) The shipper loads by appointment only. 2) Shipper requires seal numbers on the BOL. 3) Confirm pickup instructions with the shipper.

Short-Haul Exemption (150 Air-Mile Radius)

HOS exception allowing qualifying drivers to operate within a 150 air-mile radius and return to the same reporting location within a defined duty window (generally 14 hours), easing recordkeeping requirements.

Examples: 1) This P&D run qualifies for the short-haul exemption. 2) Stay within 150 air miles and return within 14 hours. 3) Under short-haul, we keep time records instead of ELD logs.

Sliding Tandems

Ability to reposition trailer axles to adjust weight distribution and comply with axle/bridge limits or clearance needs.

Examples: 1) Slide tandems back to balance axle weights. 2) We adjusted tandems to meet bridge law. 3) The scale ticket shows tandems are legal now.

Steer Axle

The front (steering) axle of a truck/tractor. Has its own weight limits and handling characteristics.

Examples: 1) Don’t overload the steer axle with front-heavy pallets. 2) Steer axle alignment reduced tire wear. 3) Scale shows steer is 11,900 lbs.

Straight Truck

A single, rigid-frame vehicle (no trailer) commonly used for local delivery and urban routes.

Examples: 1) We run 26-foot straight trucks for city P&D. 2) A straight truck can access tight alleys. 3) No sleeper—just a straight truck box.

Tare Weight

The empty weight of the vehicle (and sometimes packaging). Used to compute payload and confirm legal weights.

Examples: 1) Tare is 17,800 lbs; payload is the difference. 2) Include pallet weight in tare calculations. 3) The scale ticket lists tare and gross.

Telematics

In-cab and backend technology for GPS tracking, engine data, driver behavior, and communications to improve safety and efficiency.

Examples: 1) Telematics show real-time truck locations. 2) We use telematics to monitor idling time. 3) Geofences trigger arrival alerts via telematics.

TMS (Transportation Management System)

Software platform used to plan, rate, tender, track, and settle freight. Often includes routing, optimization, and analytics.

Examples: 1) Rate and tender loads in the TMS. 2) TMS integrates with our ELD and WMS. 3) The TMS optimizes daily P&D routes.

Yard Jockey (Hostler)

Driver using a yard tractor to move trailers around a facility for loading/unloading and door turns.

Examples: 1) The yard jockey is staging trailers at doors 3–8. 2) Call the hostler to spot the reefer at door 5. 3) Yard moves are logged by the jockey.