The truck driving profession comes with a lot of terminology. From identifying different parts of the truck to memorizing the industry’s regulatory bodies, truck drivers learn a dictionary’s worth of terms to do their job well.

But the language of trucking goes beyond formal terms and acronyms. Over the years, drivers have developed their own lingo to talk with others who understand what life is like out on the road. We’ve rounded up some of the most common terms and insider jargon so you can join the CB chatter on your next long haul.

Describing Different Truck Types

Correctly naming different types of trucks makes it easier to tell other drivers what’s happening around you, or to let them know what you’re currently doing. Using this information, other drivers can offer advice or assistance, such as sharing the rest stops or fueling stations that will accommodate your vehicle size. Here are some of the trucks you’ll commonly see on your route:


Bobtail: Driving a road tractor without a trailer

Dry vans: Standard non-refrigerated trailers, often used for general freight

Flatbeds/Skateboards: Open trailers carrying oversized or awkwardly-shaped loads

Hoppers/Bulk haulers: Trucks transporting loose bulk materials like grain or gravel

Lowboys: Low deck trailers used for heavy equipment transportation

Reefers: Refrigerated trucks used for transporting perishable goods

Tankers: Trucks designed for carrying liquids, gasses, or chemicals

Wiggle wagon: Road tractor driving with double or triple trailers

Law Enforcement Lingo

All drivers are responsible for abiding by traffic laws and regulations, but truck drivers have a heightened level of responsibility because of the size and weight of their vehicles. To help ensure that drivers are operating their trucks safely and legally, law enforcement officers are a regular sight on the highway. Truck drivers have several different ways of identifying specific types of officers. Some of these include:

County Mountie: A county sheriff’s deputy

Evil Knievel: A motorcycle police officer

Full Grown: A fully uniformed state trooper

But it doesn’t stop there. Bears are a prominent feature in truck-driving lingo — especially when it comes to law enforcement!


Bear bite: Speeding ticket

Bear cave: Police station

Bear in the air: Police aircraft monitoring speeders

Bear trap: Speed trap

Smokey Bear: A state trooper or highway patrol officer

10 codes

While not exactly considered slang, 10 codes are just as important for truck-driver shorthand as the other more casual terms. Here are some of the codes to use and listen for when communicating via CB radio.

10-1:  Receiving poorly, or, “I can’t hear you.”

10-2:  Receiving well (“I can hear you”).

10-4:  Okay, or, “Message received.”

10-7:  Out of service, or signing off.

10-8:  In service. 

10-9:  Repeat message.

10-20:  Identifying location (“What's your 20?" means "Where are you?"). 

10-33:  Emergency traffic (used when there's an urgent situation). 

10-36:  Request for the correct time

10-42:  Reporting a traffic accident

Navigating the Highways

Road conditions can change quickly in terms of weather conditions, road maintenance, and highway markings. Preparing others for what to expect up ahead is one way that truck drivers look out for each other and keep the community safe.

Cash register: A toll booth where drivers must pay to continue on the highway

Chicken coop: A weigh station

Comedian: Median separating opposite lanes of travel on the highway

Double nickel: Driving 55 miles per hour

Greasy: Icy or slippery road conditions

Hammer down: Speed up; “hammer” refers to the gas pedal

Hammer lane: The left-most and fastest lane on a highway

Parking lot: A section of congested traffic

Salt shaker: A truck used to spread salt on icy roads

Through the woods: Driving off the interstate and traveling on local roads

Yardstick: Mile markers along the highway

Lingo for Everyday Situations

The many miles and hours spent in the truck are part of what makes truck driving just as much a lifestyle as it is a profession. Drivers encounter a lot of familiar sights and scenarios, and giving each of these common occurrences a shorthand term strengthens the truck-driving culture.

Alligator: A piece of blown tire on the road

Backslide/Flip-flop: Return trip

Black eye: A truck with a headlight out

Chicken lights: Extra lights added to a truck for appearance

Comic book: A logbook where drivers record their hours on the road

Dragonfly: A truck that struggles going uphill then “flies” down

Hundred mile coffee: Extra-strong coffee

Toothpicks: Lumber

The Importance of Learning the Language

Although nearly every profession has its own unique language that lets those “in the know” communicate in shorthand, truck drivers are among the most well-known for relying on insider lingo to communicate while on the job. In fact, during the CB radio craze of the 1970s, one of the most popular songs in the US centered on a conversation between three truck drivers!

Industry-specific slang doesn’t just serve the practical purpose of being a quick and easy way to communicate or alert others of potential road and weather hazards. Truck driver jargon also builds a sense of camaraderie between drivers. Continuing the tradition of using the industry language helps to create a sense of community, even when drivers are far from home.

With over 40 years in the trucking industry, Pride Transport is committed to supporting its drivers so that they can continue to build that community. Our trucks are equipped with the best amenities and maintained in accordance with the highest safety standards. Join our team by visiting Pride’s driver job board today!