The trucking industry plays a crucial role in logistics and transportation. It is estimated that around 13 million trucks are currently operating within the United States. Statistics also show that more than 8.9 million people are employed within the trucking industry. When it comes to working in the trucking industry or using services provided by these companies, it is important to ensure you know some of the abbreviations and jargon that truckers may use. This can help you feel more acknowledged and ensure you can follow along with conversations. We will take a look at some of the most commonly used abbreviations and jargon terms in the trucking industry.
CDL – Commercial Driver’s License
A very common abbreviation that you may notice among truck drivers is CDL. This is something you may be asked during an interview, for example. CDL refers to a commercial driver’s license. In order to legally operate as a truck driver for a company, you will be required to obtain a CDL. This is a requirement that many trucking companies will also list when you apply for a position.
ELDT – Entry Level Driver Training
ELDT is another common abbreviation that refers to entry level driver training. In the modern day, you need to undergo entry level driver training before you are able to obtain a commercial driver’s license.
GVW – Gross Vehicle Weight
Certain highways and roads within the US have restrictions in terms of the maximum weight that a vehicle driving on it may be. This is where the GVW, or the gross weight vehicle, comes into play. The GVW refers to the weight of the truck when there is no freight loaded at the trailer compartment. When you approach a weighing station, the vehicle’s gross weight will be taken into account during the process. If the vehicle is too heavy, the officers at the station may deny access to the road ahead.
FMCSA – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Next up is FMCSA, which refers to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This organization offers oversight over the commercial vehicles that ride on roads and highways. The main priority of FMCSA is to provide a better level of safety for everyone on the road, with a focus on reducing injuries and crashes. They also have a large focus on monitoring the safety of buses and trucks.
Chicken Coop
If you are signed into the CB radio in your truck and hear the term “Chicken Coop”, it generally refers to a weigh station that is up ahead. The term is used to describe the fact that trucks are asked to drive into a confined space, where they are then weighed. A similar action can be seen on farms, where the farmer would force chickens into a type of coop to weigh them.
CB Codes
Another thing that you may come across as a truck driver is a code mentioned on the CB radio. Most truckers tend to keep track of the CB radio to help them identify potential hazards or other issues that they may face on the road. CB codes range from one to 10, but higher numbers can also be mentioned – each with their own meaning. The codes will also always start with the number 10.
Learn More About Truck Drivers In Nashville
Nashville is home to a thriving trucking industry, with many truck drivers on hand to deliver a variety of goods. The community has been growing over the last couple of years and plays a large role in delivering goods on time to companies within the Nashville and surrounding area. If you would like to learn more about what it takes to become a truck driver in Nashville or become part of this community, then Beacon Transport has the resources you are looking for. You can visit our blog to get a few excellent tips for your trucking adventures not only in Nashville, but wherever your haul needs to go.
Beacon Transport has been operating since 2000 and continues to deliver a reliable and efficient delivery service in the Southwest, Southeast, and Midwest areas of Nashville. You can visit our website to learn more about the services we offer. We have dedicated areas for truckers who want to apply to become one of our drivers, as well as businesses who are interested in using our services for the delivery of non-hazardous dry freight.
