Reference

Trucking Glossary

Plain-English definitions of the rates, regulation, and equipment terms owner-operators actually run into — from BOL to deadhead to detention pay.

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Accessorial charge: An accessorial charge is a fee for any service beyond the basic line-haul transport - detention, lumpers, layovers, extra stops, tarping, and similar add-ons.

Bill of lading (BOL): A bill of lading (BOL) is the legal document that lists the freight, terms, and parties for a shipment - it is the receipt, the contract, and the title to the goods.
BOC-3: A BOC-3 is a federal filing that designates a process agent in each state to receive legal documents on a carrier's behalf - required to activate operating authority.

Contract rate: A contract rate is a per-mile price negotiated and locked in for a set lane and volume over a period, trading the spot market's upside for stability.

Deadhead: Deadhead is driving with an empty trailer - miles you run between loads with no freight and no revenue.
Detention (and detention pay): Detention is the time a driver waits at a shipper or receiver beyond the free window; detention pay is the money you charge for that lost time.
Drayage: Drayage is the short-haul movement of freight - usually a container - over a short distance, such as from a port or rail yard to a nearby warehouse.

Freight broker: A freight broker is a licensed middleman who matches shippers with carriers, arranging loads in exchange for a margin - they arrange transport but do not haul it.

Lumper fee: A lumper fee is what you pay a third-party crew to load or unload your trailer, common at grocery and food-distribution warehouses.

Spot rate: The spot rate is the one-time market price to move a load right now, set by current supply and demand - as opposed to a pre-negotiated contract rate.