![SDVH [Self Drive Vehicle Hire]](https://sdvh.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SDVH_logo_concept_4-02.svg){kind=logo}
You’ll often hear people using ‘truck’ and ‘lorry’ interchangeably when talking about heavy goods vehicles used for commercial purposes, which makes you wonder if they mean the same thing. The truck vs lorry debate has been on for a while now and it’s time to provide some clarity. Are these two terms just synonyms or is there a distinction between them? Join us as we shed more light on these words and explain when it’s right to use one or the other.
Table Of Contents
Mechanical Difference Between Truck And Lorry
According to the online etymology dictionary, here’s ‘lorry’ meaning – a waggon with a flat-bed and four wheels. On the other hand, a truck is a motor vehicle for carrying heavy loads.
The most important thing to note when differentiating between terms is that all lorries are trucks but not all trucks are lorries. This is because there are some vehicles regarded as trucks that are too small to fit into the lorry category. The most common example is pick-up trucks. Pick-up trucks may be called trucks or vans but never lorries because they are light goods vehicles.
This distinction also applies to some cargo vans under 3.5 tonnes. Box vans and Lutons are sometimes called trucks instead of vans since they have cargo box separate from the cabin for which they look like very small trucks. Dropside, tipper and flatbed vans will occasionally be referred to as trucks for the same reason. On the contrary, none of them will be called ‘lorry’.
Check out our guide for more insight into flatbed trucks.
Furthermore, you’ll find some specialised HGV vehicles that are called trucks but are very unlikely to be called lorries. Military trucks, drilling trucks and fire trucks are some examples that fit into this category. That’s because lorries are large vehicles with flatbed foundations as the cargo compartment, on which you can put curtains, metal box, the structure for livestock, etc., but these specialised vehicles don’t have that general look.
Regional Difference Between Truck And Lorry
Aside from pick-up trucks and the other exceptions above, you’ll almost always use the term lorry in place of trucks. Truck is more common in American English, while the British prefer to use ‘lorry’. The reason for this difference is due to national language and vocabulary choices, similar to Americans calling ride-hailing services ‘cabs’ and Brits calling them ‘taxis’.
In addition to ‘truck’, drivers in America also use terms such as rigs, semis, tractors and 18-wheelers when describing a lorry. In addition to the US, many other countries, such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa, also refer to HGV vehicles as trucks.
The word ‘lorry’ is also preferred by many others. Ireland, India, Malaysia and Singapore are just a few of the countries that prefer the British vocabulary for HGVs.
The word ‘truck’ has also become more popular in the UK, with drivers using it for articulated lorries and other HGV vehicles.
Origin Of The Word Lorry
‘Lorry’ has an uncertain origin but many believe it evolved from the verb ‘lurry’, which means to pull or drag along. The use of this word to describe a vehicle dates back to the 16th century. Back then, any low-loading trolley pulled by a horse-drawn vehicle was called a lurry.
Over time, ‘lurry’ evolved into ‘lorry’ and was used when referring to freight-carrying rail cars. Print records indicate that ‘lorry’ was first defined as a ‘large motor vehicle used to carry cargo’ in 1911.
Check out SDVH’s guide to 7.5-tonne lorry dimensions.
Origin Of The Word Truck
The word truck also has its origins in the UK. The first use of this word in British English was in 1611, when it meant a small wheel or roller used to support warship canons. ‘Truck’ was shortened from the word ‘truckle,’ which refers to a wheel, roller or pulley. ‘Truckle’, in turn, comes from the Latin word ‘trochlea,’ which translates to ‘pulley’. The current definition of ‘truck’ as a wheeled vehicle used for transporting heavy items first appeared in print in 1774.
Safety Considerations When Driving Lorries And Trucks
Now that you’re well able to distinguish between the words truck and lorry, we’ll throw in some safety tips that you should keep in mind when driving these vehicles.
- Vehicle Maintenance: No vehicle should be driven without proper maintenance. Ensure that the trucks undergo the necessary checks. Things to look out for include brakes, light tyres and other key components.
- Even Load Distribution: When transporting cargo in a vehicle, you must ensure that it’s evenly distributed. Overstuffing one area of the vehicle can create an imbalance, causing the vehicle to become unstable.
- Weight and Size Limits: In addition to load distribution, you must also keep an eye out for the payload and dimensions of a lorry to avoid overloading it.
- Driver Fatigue: When driving a lorry or any other large vehicle, you also have to take driver fatigue into consideration. Many countries, including the UK, have driving hour regulations that you must adhere to when driving heavy or light goods vehicles for commercial purposes.
SDVH offers 7.5-t lorries for hire to ensure smooth load transportation all around the UK. You can also contact us for 18-t truck hire if you have demanding cargo transport needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Trucks Lorries?
No, not all trucks are lorries. Although all lorries are regarded as trucks, not every truck fits into the lorry category. The pick-up truck is regarded as a truck, car or van but never a lorry. Vehicles such as dropsides, tippers, Lutons and so on are named both vans and trucks, but not lorries. Also, some specialised vehicles such as fire trucks and military trucks aren’t called lorries.
What’s The Capacity Of A Truck?
The capacity of a truck is between 2300 kg (2.3 tonnes) and over 18,000 kg (18 tonnes). Capacities vary widely depending on the size and type of truck or lorry. Most vehicles come with their payload capacity indicated, but when unsure, you can determine it by subtracting the curb weight from the gross weight.
What Licence Do You Need For A Lorry?
You need a category C1 or C1E licence to drive a lorry. The C1 licence allows you to drive a truck over 3,500 kg (3.5 tonnes) but under 7,500 kg (7.5 tonnes). This covers most smaller lorries and light goods vehicles. For larger lorries, which have gross weights up to 12,000 kg (12 tonnes), you need the C1E licence. You can learn more about the 7.5-t lorry licence requirement in our blog.
What Do Americans Call A Lorry?
Americans call a lorry a truck. The two terms are mostly used interchangeably when referring to heavy goods vehicles used for cargo transport. Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Pakistanis and South Africans all refer to lorries as trucks. While residents of the UK, Ireland and India prefer the word ‘lorry’.
What Are The Main Uses Of Trucks And Lorries?
The main uses of trucks and lorries are for carrying goods. Along with vans, trucks are the major vehicles for cargo transportation. The truck can be used to transport everything from consumer products to raw materials for construction and agricultural produce. Trucks also play a crucial role in the logistics and distribution industry.
Conclusion
If you’ve followed this article to the end, you’ll have better clarity regarding the truck vs lorry discussion. Except for a few instances, you can generally use both terms interchangeably when referring to heavy goods vehicles. While UK residents favour the word, ‘lorry’, you’ll generally hear Americans refer to these vehicles as trucks.
