Glossary

Auto Logistics

• The complete process of shipping a vehicle, including coordination with a carrier, route planning, scheduling pickup and delivery, and ensuring efficient transport management.

Auto Transport Broker

• A professional intermediary who connects customers with licensed carriers, ensuring smooth vehicle shipping by managing quotes, contracts, and logistics.

Backhaul

• The return trip of a carrier after completing a delivery, often used to pick up additional loads at a lower cost, providing savings for customers.

Bill of Lading

• A legal document provided by the carrier at pickup, detailing the vehicle’s condition and serving as a receipt and agreement for the shipment.

Bonded

• A status indicating that the transport company has secured a financial guarantee (bond) to protect customers in case of damage or contractual issues.

Car Carrier Trailer

• A specialized trailer used to transport vehicles, either as an open carrier (exposing cars to the elements) or an enclosed carrier (offering protection).

Car Hauling

• The act of transporting vehicles from one location to another using specialized trucks or trailers, often facilitated by professional carriers.

Cut-Off Time

• The deadline by which a vehicle must be ready and available for pickup to ensure timely loading and transport by the carrier.

Diversion

• A change in the original transport route or delivery destination, often requested mid-shipment, which may result in additional costs.

Door-to-Door Auto Shipping

• A service where the carrier picks up and delivers the vehicle directly to the customer’s specified locations, offering maximum convenience.

Team Drivers

• A method of transport using two drivers per carrier to minimize downtime, ensuring faster delivery by allowing continuous driving.

Department of Transportation (D.O.T)

• A federal agency responsible for regulating commercial vehicle safety and ensuring carriers adhere to national transport laws and standards.

Enclosed Auto Transport

• A premium shipping option where vehicles are transported in an enclosed trailer, protecting them from weather, road debris, and other external factors.

Expedited Auto Transport

• A priority shipping service designed for faster pickup and delivery, typically at a higher cost, for customers with urgent transport needs.

Exception

• A documented note of any issues or damage found during vehicle pickup or delivery, often recorded on the Bill of Lading.

FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)

• A government agency regulating interstate commercial vehicles, ensuring carriers meet safety and insurance standards.

Lowboy

• A type of flatbed trailer with a lowered deck, used to transport oversized or heavy vehicles that require additional clearance.

MC Number

• A unique identifier issued by the FMCSA to authorized motor carriers and brokers, certifying their ability to operate legally in interstate commerce.

Open Carrier Transport

• The most common and cost-effective vehicle transport method, where cars are shipped on an open trailer exposed to weather and road elements.

Operating Authority

• Legal permission granted to carriers and brokers by the FMCSA, allowing them to operate and provide transport services across state lines.

Pickup Window

• The timeframe during which the carrier is scheduled to pick up the vehicle, typically ranging from 1-3 days depending on availability.

Proof of Delivery (POD)

• A signed document confirming that the vehicle has been delivered to its destination and detailing its condition upon arrival.

Top Load

• A service where the vehicle is placed on the top deck of an open carrier, minimizing the risk of damage from road debris or fluid leaks from other cars.

Terminal

• A storage facility where vehicles are dropped off and picked up, used in terminal-to-terminal shipping as an alternative to door-to-door services.