Glossary

Transportation management system (TMS) - a logistics platform that uses technology to help business plan, execute and optimize the physical movement of goods, both incoming and outgoing.

Motor Carrier number (MC) - an interstate operating authority and unique identifier assigned by the FMCSA to moving companies operating in interstate commerce, in other words hauling cargo across state lines.

FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) - an agency in the United States Department of Transportation that regulates the trucking industry in the United States. The primary mission of the FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses.

Bill of Lading (BOL) - a required document to move a freight shipment. The BOL works as a receipt of freight services, a contract between a freight carrier and shipper, and a document of title. BOL is a legally binding document providing the driver and the carrier with all the details needed to process the freight shipment and invoice it correctly.

Proof of Delivery (POD) – a receipt with the signature of the recipient.

IFTA (International Fuel Tax association) - an agreement for fuel tax collection and sharing among 48 states and 10 provinces in Canada. It allows inter-jurisdictional carriers to report and pay taxes for the fuel their vehicles consume across states using a single fuel tax license.

VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) - assigned by the manufacturer, this number is unique to each vehicle and appears on the vehicle’s registration and title.

HOS (Hours of service) - refers to the maximum amount of time drivers are permitted to be on duty including driving time, and specifies the number and length of rest periods, to help ensure that drivers stay awake and alert. In general, all carriers and drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) must comply with HOS regulations.

Maintenance statuses:

• Reported open issues - all the reported issues with the vehicles, such as mechanical problems or accidents.

• Scheduled - upcoming maintenance tasks, such as oil changes or tire rotations.

• In service - all the vehicles currently in service. 

• Completed - all the maintenance tasks that have been completed.

Driver types:

• Company Driver – employed by the company that maintain their fleet of trucks.

• Contract Driver - operates a power unit owned or leased by an Independent Contractor.

• Owner Operator – owns the truck and operates as an independent business.

• Leased Owner – Op – provides service to a trucking company by having a lease agreement.

Accessorial event – any additional service that the driver provides outside of the standard transportation service. Accessorial events can include services such as detention time, fuel surcharges, loading and unloading assistance, or any other service that is not part of the basic transportation service.