LTL Trucking Key Terms

Find out what LTL trucking terminology means
By Nikki Davis Less-than-truckload (LTL) trucking has its own jargon and terminology that you should learn in order to work in or with the industry. Whether you are an owner, driver, dispatcher or customer, learning the terms and phrases will help you better make your way in the field. LTL trucking key terms can include LTL documentation, people in the process, regulations, locations and more. Whatever the word, make sure that you understand it in context for your next conversation with the businesses that you are working with.
 

Bill of lading

The bill of lading is the document that the carrier issues to a shipper that says that the particular goods have been received as cargo for transit to the specified destination. Through bills of lading are used when there are at least two different modes of transportation; for example, rail, air, road or water.
Try: Check out the bill of lading from Dugan Truck Line.

Invoice, bill

The invoice is the commercial documentation from the seller to the buyer that notes the product and the quantity, as well as the agreed upon price for the products or services. The invoice also indicates the payment terms.
Try: Learn from Largo Software about invoicing LTL shipments to multiple customers.

Consignee

The consignee in an LTL relationship is the person that the shipment is being delivered to.
Try: AIC Millworks uses LTL as one of its many modes of shipment. Take a look at its consignee policy.

Hours of service regulations

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has developed "hours of service regulations," which limit the working hours of anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle. This is done to protect the drivers and passengers, as well as other motorists on the road.
Try: Find out more about the hours of service regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Linehaul

A linehaul is when you move cargo between two major cities or areas, usually more than 1,000 miles apart. LTL drivers collect freight from various shippers as they drive from city to city and consolidate that freight onto enclosed trailers for linehaul to the next delivering terminal or to a hub terminal where the cargo is sorted and usually passed along for the next leg of its journey.
Try: Find out more about linehaul fleets from Dynamic International.

Terminal

The terminal is the place where cargo is delivered and sorted out for the next leg of the linehaul.
Try: Find out where to find a specific LTL terminal from USF.