Truck drivers use CB radios to communicate with each other while they’re on the road. They let each other know if weigh stations are open or closed and when there’s traffic up ahead, but the vocabulary might take a little while to stick. If you want to know how to talk the talk, here’s a quick glossary of trucker lingo.
10 Codes
Commercial drivers use codes to communicate clearly and efficiently, so it helps to know what they mean when you’re on the CB radio. The most popular 10 code is 10-4, which acknowledges that you’ve received and understood a message. If the message is coming in poorly, you would say 10-1, and you can say 10-9 to have the person repeat the message. 10-7 means you’re going to leave the air, and 10-10 means you’re done talking and are ready to listen. 10-20 is another common code, and it’s used to ask a person his or her location.
Come On, Come Back
When you get a call from another driver, you can say “come on” to let the person know you’re listening. This gives the person the go-ahead to speak the message. If you’re unable to hear the message due to interference or poor service, you can say “come back” to ask the person to repeat the message. In general, it’s a way to invite another driver to talk to you.
Go to Company
If you’re talking to another driver from your company over the radio, you might ask him or her to “go to company.” This means switching to the designated channel where you won’t be heard by other drivers outside of your company.
Once you get a handle on trucker lingo, you’ll be more comfortable on the CB radio. At Phoenix Truck Driving School at Ft. Bliss, we’ll teach you what you need to know to get your career started. Give us a call at (877) 206-8344 or look at our website for more information.
