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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Truck Transportation
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Truck Transportation covers the commercial rigs and freight networks that move the majority of goods across North America. You will learn diesel engine mechanics, highway regulations, and trucking logistics. Requirement 4 takes you to a working freight terminal to interview drivers and dispatchers and see how cargo is staged and routed.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Commercial Trucking & Supply Chain Logistics
- Tractor-Trailer Anatomy & Air Brake Systems
- DOT Regulations, Pre-Trip Inspections & Safety
- Freight Dispatching, Routing & Trucking Careers
5Printable Pages
10Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Truck Transportation Requirements
Every requirement for the Truck Transportation merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Truck Lines Serving Your Town
List the major truck lines serving your town.
2Trucking in Commerce and Supply Chains
Do the following:
- a Describe the role of truck transportation within commerce (the movement of goods, funds, and information).
- b Describe how trucks fit into a company's supply chain. This could be a manufacturer, importer, wholesaler, or retailer.
- c On paper, map out how goods that are manufactured overseas are transported to a retailer in this country.
3Gasoline and Diesel Engines
Describe the difference between the gasoline engine and the diesel engine that power trucks. List the advantages of each.
4Visit a Truck Terminal
Visit a truck terminal and complete items 4(a) through 4(e). After your visit, share what you have learned with your counselor.
- a Find out what kind of maintenance program the company follows to help keep its fleet, drivers, and the roadway safe.
- b Find out how dispatchers maintain communication with drivers on the road.
- c Talk with a professional truck driver about safety. Learn about the truck driver's rules of the road for safe driving. List five safe-driving rules every professional truck driver must follow.
- d Review the driver's log and find out what kind of information the log contains.
- e Learn about important federal regulations that help ensure public safety.
5How a Trucking Company Is Organized
Do the following:
- a Outline the general organization of a trucking company. Describe what each department does.
- b List five positions with trucking companies and describe each one.
6Government Agencies and Trucking
Name five government agencies that work closely with the trucking industry. Describe their role.
7List five different kinds of trucks
List five different kinds of trucks. Tell the service each provides.
8Ship 500 Pounds of Freight
Assume that you are going to ship by truck 500 pounds of goods (freight class 65) from your town to another town 500 miles away. Your shipment must arrive within three days. Explain in writing:
- a How to prepare the shipment
- b How to compare at least three carriers for time in transit and rates
- c How to choose which carrier to use
- d How to insure the shipment for damages
9Trucking Terms
Explain the following terms: bill of lading, ETA, logbook, intermodal, containers, tariff, shippers, carrier, consignee, drayage, and cartage.
10Careers
Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Truck Transportation requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/truck-transportation/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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