Truck Dispatcher Study Guide 2026

Load sequencing places freight in reverse delivery order so the first stop's freight is loaded last and is at the rear door, making it immediately accessible upon arrival.

Weigh stations are critical checkpoints for commercial vehicles on major highways. Their primary purpose is to verify that trucks are not exceeding legal weight limits, which prevents damage to roads and ensures vehicle safety. They also check for proper licensing, permits, and compliance with other safety regulations.

A team load uses two drivers who alternate driving and sleeping, allowing the truck to run nearly 24 hours a day and cover long distances far faster than a solo driver could.

A headhaul is the primary, typically higher-paying outbound load moving away from the carrier's home base, as opposed to the backhaul which brings freight back.

A lumper fee is a charge for a third-party service to load or unload the freight from the trailer. This is common in the food and grocery industry, and the fee should be pre-approved by the broker and reimbursed to the carrier.

According to FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, a driver cannot drive for more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. If a driver has been driving for 10 hours without a break, they are nearing their limit and must take a mandatory 10-hour off-duty break before resuming driving. Continuing to drive would violate these critical safety regulations.