3PL
Third-party logistics
A provider that manages logistics services for another business; its precise role varies.
Reviewed October 8, 2026. These 44 entries include acronyms seen in operator discussions and additional reference terms. This is a working glossary, not a claim that every industry acronym is covered.
Two distinctions that prevent expensive mistakes
CPM can mean business cost per mile or driver cents per mile. RPM based on loaded miles is different from revenue per total mile.
“Dry van” usually means an enclosed freight trailer, not a cargo van. Equipment codes such as “V” differ by platform. Confirm vehicle type, payload, dimensions and loading method before accepting work.
CDL, HOS, ELD, IFTA and IRP describe rules or programs whose applicability depends on your operation. A small van or a non-CDL license does not automatically exempt a business from operating-authority, insurance or state requirements.
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BIPD / BI & PD
Bodily injury and property damage
Liability terms for harm to other people and their property; different from covering the freight itself.
BOC-3
Designation of agents for service of process
A filing naming process agents in connection with covered motor-carrier registrations.
BOL / B/L
Bill of lading
Shipment paperwork identifying the freight and transport details. Record condition exceptions accurately.
CDL
Commercial driver's license
A license category for specified vehicles and operations. Non-CDL does not mean no business or transport requirements.
CMV
Commercial motor vehicle
A defined regulatory category whose scope depends on the rule being applied.
COI
Certificate of insurance
A summary of coverage supplied for customers or carriers. The policy and endorsements determine actual coverage.
CPM
Cost per mile / cents per mile
In business planning, expenses divided by all business miles. In driver-pay discussions it can mean cents paid per mile. Check the context.
CSL
Combined single limit
One liability limit shared across bodily injury and property damage for a covered event.
DAT
Dial-A-Truck (historical name)
A freight-information and load-board brand. Its equipment codes must be checked before treating a listing as cargo van freight.
DEL
Delivery
The receiving stop or its scheduled time.
DH
Deadhead
Empty travel to a pickup, after delivery, or while repositioning. It still consumes time and operating costs.
EIN
Employer identification number
A federal business tax identifier issued by the IRS.
ELD
Electronic logging device
Equipment used to record duty status where required; buying a van does not by itself establish an ELD requirement.
ETA
Estimated time of arrival
Your expected arrival time. Update it when conditions change.
ETD
Estimated time of departure
Your expected departure time; some logistics contexts use it for estimated delivery, so clarify.
FCFS
First come, first served
Service in arrival order rather than a fixed appointment; waiting time can still be substantial.
FMCSA
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The federal agency responsible for motor-carrier registration and safety oversight.
FSC
Fuel surcharge
A separately identified fuel-related payment; the contract determines its calculation and whether it is included in the quoted rate.
FTL / TL
Full truckload / truckload
A truckload service designation. Check required equipment rather than relying on shipment weight alone.
GCWR
Gross combination weight rating
The rated combination-weight measure relevant to a towing setup; regulatory definitions should be checked.
GL
General liability
Coverage for specified business liability exposures; it does not replace commercial auto or cargo coverage.
GVW
Gross vehicle weight
The vehicle's actual weight with occupants, fuel, equipment and cargo at the time measured.
GVWR
Gross vehicle weight rating
The manufacturer's rated loaded weight for the vehicle; it includes more than freight.
HOS
Hours of service
Limits and records for duty and driving where applicable. Determine applicability for the specific vehicle and operation.
IFTA
International Fuel Tax Agreement
A fuel-tax reporting framework for qualifying operations, rather than a universal cargo van requirement.
IRP
International Registration Plan
A vehicle-registration apportionment framework for qualifying operations; ordinary cargo van ownership alone does not trigger it.
LLC
Limited liability company
A business entity form. Forming one does not grant transport authority or guarantee liability protection in every situation.
LTL
Less-than-truckload
Freight moving through a shared-capacity service. A listing marked LTL is not automatically suitable for a cargo van.
MC
Motor carrier
Common industry shorthand for a motor-carrier authority number. Verify current registration and authority status with FMCSA.
MPG
Miles per gallon
Fuel efficiency. Use actual operating mileage and fuel usage when budgeting.
NTL
Non-trucking liability
Coverage intended for certain non-business uses of a leased vehicle, subject to policy conditions.
O/O
Owner-operator
Someone who owns the vehicle and operates the business; may work independently or through a carrier.
OTR
Over-the-road
Longer-distance work that can require nights away from home.
POD
Proof of delivery
Evidence the shipment reached the recipient, commonly a signed delivery record. Often needed to invoice.
PU
Pickup
The collection stop or its scheduled time.
RC
Rate confirmation
Written load agreement showing payment and operational details. Review fees, appointments and conditions before accepting.
RPM
Rate or revenue per mile
The price or revenue divided by miles. Specify loaded miles or all miles before comparing figures.
TMS
Transportation management system
Software for managing transport activity such as loads, dispatch and records.
TONU
Truck ordered not used
A cancellation-related charge when equipment is booked but not used. Payment depends on agreed terms.
UCR
Unified Carrier Registration
A registration program for covered interstate entities; verify whether your business falls within its scope.
USDOT / DOT
U.S. Department of Transportation
DOT is the agency abbreviation; a USDOT number identifies a registered entity. An identifier and operating authority are different.
W-9
Request for taxpayer identification number and certification
A tax form customers may request for business payment reporting.
WC
Workers' compensation
Coverage relating to employee work injuries; applicability depends on the operation and jurisdiction.
Useful terms beyond acronyms
- Detention
- Waiting time at a pickup or delivery; compensation depends on the agreement, free-time allowance and documentation.
- Backhaul
- A load on the return leg. Evaluate the whole trip rather than assuming a return load will be available.
- Factoring
- Selling invoices to receive cash sooner, less fees. Review recourse, reserves, minimums and cancellation terms.
- Lease-on
- A contractual arrangement to operate through a carrier. Clarify authority, insurance, exclusivity, deductions and payment responsibilities.
- Dispatcher / broker
- A dispatcher generally helps a carrier find and administer work. A broker arranges transportation between parties. Actual activities and agreements determine the role.
- Accessorial
- An additional charge for agreed services or events beyond the base transportation price.
- Payload
- The weight available for occupants and carried equipment and freight within vehicle limits. Installed equipment reduces usable freight capacity.
Definition checks
Progressive: insurance terminology ↗
Verify current requirements for your vehicle, freight, routes and contracts with the relevant agency or insurer.