Before you even enroll in truck driving school, you can familiarize yourself with some common trucking terms that you will probably encounter regularly on the road. Use this guide to prepare for your new career.
Alligator
One of the most important elements of driving a truck safely is spotting any potential hazards on the road. An “alligator” is a term that refers to a piece of tire lying in the road. If possible, you should avoid these hazards so you do not get “bitten.” Although a truck is much bigger than a piece of a blown tire, it could cause damage to your hoses, belts, or other parts of the tractor. The force from your truck might also send it onto another vehicle and cause damage or an accident.
Backed Out of It
With all the weight of a truck, it might be hard to continue traveling at the same speed when the road inclines. If you can no longer maintain your speed on a hill and have to downshift, you refer to it as “backing out of it.” When this happens, you should move over to the right lane to let the faster drivers behind you pass.
Handles
The Federal Communication Commission encourages people who talk over CB radios to use handles. These nicknames make it easier to identify the speaker without having to announce your actual name over the radio waves. Drivers tend to pick their own CB handles and often choose a name that they feel reflects their personality.
Too Many Eggs in the Basket
You might use the term “too many eggs in the basket” if you are carrying too much weight in your truck. If you feel like your load is overweight, you should definitely mention something before you hit the road.
At HDS Truck Driving Institute, we give you the tools you need to earn your CDL and start working in the trucking industry. If you are ready to take control of your own career, we are here for you. To learn more about our programs or admissions, call (877) 205-2141.
FAQs
42. Yes, or OK. Four-Letter Word. Nobody wants to stop at the weigh station- that is why "OPEN" is considered a four-letter word in the trucking industry.
What does "rubber ducky" mean in CB talk? ›
Rubber Duck: A rubber duck is a trucker, often a rookie, who is still learning the ropes. Bear: Another term for a police officer. Chicken Coop: A weigh station where trucks are required to stop and be weighed. Hammer down: To drive as fast as possible. Out of the Side: To leave the CB channel or sign off.
Why do truckers say breaker breaker? ›
What are some of the Trucker Sayings? “Breaker breaker 1-9, anyone got a copy?” This is a trucker saying that is widely used commonly as a courtesy call for the truckers to get access to the CB radio Channel. The “1-9” refers to channel 19 on the CB radio, which is the most popular channel.
What is the slang for 18 wheelers? ›
Some regions say 18 wheelers, some say tractor-trailer, and others say semi trucks. Generally, the Northeast tends to use “Tractor trailer,” the South says “eighteen-wheeler,” and everywhere else says semi.
What's your 1020 mean? ›
10-20. Denotes location, as in identifying one's location ("My 20 is on Main Street and First"), asking the receiver what their current location or immediate destination is ("What's your 20?"), or inquiring about the location of a third person ("OK, people, I need a 20 on Little Timmy and fast").
What does 1020 mean in trucker talk? ›
The phrase essentially means, “What is your location?” or “Identify your position,” but is a corrupted phrase from the original “10-20” used by law enforcement to verbally encode their radio transmissions so that non-police listeners would not easily discover police operations, as well as to communicate quicker and ...
What does breaker breaker 19 mean? ›
"Breaker 1/9" is originally a Citizens' Band radio slang term telling other CB users that you'd like to start a transmission on channel 19, and is the phrase that starts C. W.
What does breaker breaker one nine mean? ›
Breaker 1.. 9” then waits for a response. You see, when a trucker says this, he or she is asking permission to break into the conversation other truckers are having on their Citizen Band (CB) radios, on Channel 19.
What does dynamike mean on CB? ›
DYNAMIKE - This control amplifies your voice to make you sound louder.
What do truckers call cops? ›
Truckers and other drivers on the road have long referred to highway patrol officers and state troopers as “bears”.
Miscellaneous Trucker Slang
Breaker, breaker: A way to initiate a conversation on the CB radio, often used as a playful greeting, similar to "hello" or "good morning."
What do truckers call cars? ›
Trucker terminology for types of vehicles
Draggin' wagon – A tow truck. Four-wheeler – Any passenger vehicle. Meat wagon – An ambulance. Parking lot – A car hauler.
What is a peterbilt called in slang? ›
Freight shaker – A Freightliner truck. K-Whopper – A Kenworth truck. Pete – A Peterbilt truck.
What is the nickname for a semi-truck? ›
For example, tractor trailer, 18-wheeler, big rig, etc. That's quite a list you're asking for. There are the actual names, colloquial names, 'handles' or trade names, and archaic names.
What do truckers call Florida? ›
Left coast – The term used for the West Coast. Bikini State – What some drivers call the state of Florida. Shaky – Refers to California.
What does number 42 stand for? ›
The number 42 is, in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything", calculated by an enormous supercomputer named Deep Thought over a period of 7.5 million years.
Why do people say the answer is 42? ›
The number 42 is especially significant to fans of science fiction novelist Douglas Adams' “The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,” because that number is the answer given by a supercomputer to “the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.” Booker also wanted to know the answer to 42.
What does 10:10 mean in trucker talk? ›
10-10: Transmission completed, standing by. 10-11: Talking too rapidly. 10-12: Visitors present ... Shhhh! 10-13: Advise weather/road conditions.
What is a trucker 34? ›
So what exactly is a 34 hour reset? This refers to a period of at least 34 consecutive hours off-duty that drivers can take after reaching their maximum weekly driving limit. During this reset period, drivers are not allowed to perform any work-related activities or drive commercial motor vehicles.
