Transport Jargon-Buster
The transport industry is full of acronyms and specialist terms that can be confusing. Our jargon-buster breaks down the most common phrases and abbreviations to help you navigate the world of logistics with confidence.
Understanding these terms can help businesses, hauliers, and drivers communicate effecitely, feel free to bookmark this guide for quick reference!
3PL – An abbreviation short for Third-Party Logistics, meaning a company that outsources its supply chain.
Abnormal Load – This is where the cargo on a vehicle exceeds the standard legal limits for either weight, width, length or axle weight. These types of loads require additional permits, and sometimes escort vehicles.
ADR – A set of regulations around moving dangerous goods. Dangerous goods are classified by risk, and in order to transport these, the transport company, along with its drivers must be trained to the correct ADR license level. (The abbreviation ADR comes from the European Agreement “Accord Dangereux Routier” which literally translates into English as “Dangerous Road Agreement”). ADR is a critical component in compliance and safety.
Ambient – The term given to a shipment that does not require temperature controlled transport, typically this means the goods are temperature stable, also known as dry goods.
Backload – A load transported on the return journey of a vehicle, often offered at a reduced rate as an incentive for drivers to avoid ‘dead’ or empty mileage back to the yard.
CC – An abbreviation for the congestion charge, relating to the congestion zone around central London, where drivers must pay a fee to enter during peak hours, to discourage the use of motor vehicles in a bid to improve traffic flow.
Demurrage – Whilst originally a charge for delays at a port for not collecting or loading a container within an agreed time, the term has since been adopted by hauliers and couriers to describe charges for delays in a collection, or delivery point, not loading or offloading the vehicle within a timely manner. Typically this applies after 1 hour, the charges may also be known as ‘waiting time’
ETA – An acronym for ‘Estimated Time of Arrival’, the predicted time the goods will reach their destination
FORS – An acronym for ‘Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme’, an accreditation programme in the UK for commercial vehicle operators. The initiative aims to help operators to become safer and smarter, by meeting high standards. Operators are presented with either Bronze, Silver or Gold accreditation for improvement beyond legal minimums. Some delivery points such as building sites require delivery vehicles carrying FORS accreditation, as a way to ensure high safety standards are maintained on site.
GIT – ‘Goods in Transit’ is a term for the products being transported between collection & delivery that have not yet reached their final destination. An extension of this is GIT Insurance, a type of insurance to cover liability for any loss or damages that may occur during transit.
HIAB – A brand name for a lorry mounted crane, also known as loader cranes. A HIAB vehicle can load or unload itself meaning a delivery point without a forklift can safely and easily offload at any location. Whilst ‘HIAB’ an industry accepted term, other brands such as Palfinger and Fassi are also common. A common use for these is on building sites, where goods need lifting into place.
LEZ – Low Emission Zones are commonplace in major cities; a fee to enter certain boundaries within a city used to discourage motor vehicles. (Note ‘ULEZ’ is an ultra low emission zone, where further charges may apply for non-conforming vehicles)
Moffett / Manitou – Brand names for lorry mounted forklifts; because the vehicle has it’s own means to offload, deliveries can be made to locations that do not have a forklift available. Commonly these may be used for deliveries to residential premises, smaller businesses, or remote locations.
POD – An acronym for ‘Proof of Delivery’, this is a document signed by the contact taking control of the goods at delivery point. The POD serves to confirm delivery has been made safely and in full, clearing the driver of any further responsibility.
Tachograph – A device fitted to all HGVs and buses (and some smaller commercial vehicles too) that records driving time, speed and distance, along with the drivers activities (driving, breaks, other work) to ensure compliance with drivers hours rules.
TMS – A transport management system is a piece of logistics software that helps businesses plan and execute the movement of goods. It’s a central platform which can record vehicles, addresses, pricing, and tracking in most cases
Tramper / Tramping – A colloquial term for a driver who takes on long-haul driving jobs, which require the driver to live and sleep in their vehicle. Drivers typically have ‘sleeper cabs’ which are lorries that are equipped with living essentials such as a bed, fridge and sometimes a microwave too.
TSS – The ‘Trader Support Service’ is a free government platform that assists businesses moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland post-Brexit by managing customers declarations, and guidance.
UKIMS – The ‘UK Internal Market Scheme’ is a government scheme designed to simply trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, allowing businesses to move eligible goods without full customers declarations or duties, provided the final destination for the goods is not outside of GB or NI.
WMS – An acronym commonly used for ‘Warehouse Management System’, a piece of software commonly used to manage warehouse activities, such as tracking inbound and outbound pallets, available space, stock rotation and more. Typically the software is implemented to improve efficiencies and accuracy.
