Industry Knowledgebase
Freight & Logistics Glossary
Essential terminology, definitions, and acronyms used daily in freight dispatching, fleet management, and Transportation Management Systems.
RPM (Rate Per Mile)
The dollar amount paid divided by the total loaded miles of a freight haul.
BYOC (Bring Your Own Credentials)
A security architecture allowing software users to connect their own API keys to third-party services without revealing login credentials.
Rate Confirmation (RC)
A legally binding contract between a freight broker and a carrier specifying load details, pickup/delivery times, and payment amount.
BOL (Bill of Lading)
A required shipping document issued by a carrier detailing cargo type, quantity, and destination.
POD (Proof of Delivery)
A document signed by the receiver confirming cargo was delivered safely.
CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)
A specialized license required in the US to operate commercial motor vehicles.
Deadhead
Driving a commercial truck without a cargo load to a pickup location.
Dry Van
An enclosed trailer used to carry non-perishable freight.
Reefer
A refrigerated trailer used to haul temperature-sensitive goods.
Flatbed
An open trailer without sides used for heavy or oversized loads.
TollGuru
An API engine calculating toll costs and optimal routing for commercial truck axles.
OpenRouteService
An open routing engine used to calculate truck miles and waypoints.
MC Number
Motor Carrier number assigned by the FMCSA authorizing interstate commerce.
DOT Number
Department of Transportation tracking number assigned to commercial fleets.
Factoring
A financial service where carriers sell unpaid invoices to a factor for immediate cash flow.
Detention
Extra wait time fee charged when shippers or receivers delay a truck past standard loading time.
Layover
Fee charged when a driver is forced to wait overnight for a load.
FSC (Fuel Surcharge)
An extra fee added to freight rates to cover fluctuating diesel fuel prices.
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Freight shipments that do not fill an entire trailer.
FTL (Full Truckload)
Freight shipments that occupy an entire trailer.
Dispatch Board
A operational board (e.g. Kanban style) tracking truck availability and load assignments.
Cab Card
An official document showing a commercial truck is registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP).
ELD (Electronic Logging Device)
Hardware installed in commercial vehicles to record driving hours and compliance with HOS rules.
HOS (Hours of Service)
FMCSA safety regulations limiting commercial driving hours.
Gross Weight
The combined total weight of a truck, trailer, and loaded freight.
Tare Weight
The empty weight of a truck and trailer without cargo.
Payload
The net weight of cargo being carried.
Backhaul
A return trip load bringing a truck back to its home base.
Headhaul
The primary load outbound from a truck’s home base.
TMS (Transportation Management System)
Software platform used to manage freight logistics, fleet dispatch, and accounting.