This is a free straight bill of lading template you can fill in on this page and print or save as a PDF. It has every field a shipper, carrier, and consignee expect: parties, reference numbers, a freight table with class and NMFC, hazmat, charge terms, and signature lines. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Straight bill of lading template (fill in and print)
What a bill of lading is
A bill of lading (BOL) does three jobs at once. It is the contract of carriage between shipper and carrier, the receipt showing the carrier took possession of the freight, and, on a straight BOL, the document naming who may receive it. The driver signs at pickup. The consignee signs at delivery, and that signed copy is your proof of delivery (POD), the document you invoice against.
Because it does all three jobs, the BOL settles most disputes. A damage claim starts with it. A short-pay over piece count is decided by it. If it matters to getting paid, it belongs on the BOL. Our trucking invoicing software page covers what happens after the signature.
Required fields on a bill of lading
Federal regulations (49 CFR 373.101) require a motor carrier to issue a receipt or bill of lading showing the shipper and consignee names, the origin and destination, the number of packages, a description of the freight, and its weight, volume, or measurement. That is the legal floor. A BOL that keeps you out of trouble also carries:
- BOL number, date, and references. One number per shipment, never reused, plus the shipper's PO, the receiver's delivery number, and the carrier's PRO number.
- Carrier identity. Legal name, USDOT and MC numbers, trailer number, and driver name.
- Freight lines. Piece count, package type, description, weight, and, for LTL, freight class and NMFC item number.
- Hazmat information. The HM mark, the full shipping description, the shipper's certification, and a 24-hour emergency phone number (49 CFR 172).
- Charge terms. Prepaid, collect, or third party, plus the bill-to address when it is not the shipper.
- Declared value when the rate depends on it.
- Special instructions. Appointment times, liftgate, temperature, seal number, and "shipper load and count" when the shipper seals the trailer.
- Signatures. Shipper, driver, and consignee, each dated, with space for pieces received and exceptions.
Straight vs. order vs. through bill of lading
| Type | Negotiable | When it is used | Who can take delivery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight BOL | No | Truckload and LTL moves where the buyer is known. Nearly every load an owner-operator hauls. | Only the consignee named on the document. |
| Order BOL | Yes | The shipper wants payment before release, so the BOL is made out "to the order of" the shipper or a bank and transferred by endorsement. | Whoever presents the endorsed original. |
| Through BOL | Either | One document covering a multi-leg move with more than one carrier or mode, such as ocean to rail to truck. | The consignee at the final destination. |
The template above is a straight bill of lading. If a shipper hands you an order bill, do not release the freight at delivery without the endorsed original in hand.
Common bill of lading mistakes
- Signing for a count you did not verify. Count the pieces, then sign. If you cannot count because the shipper loaded and sealed the trailer, write "SLC" (shipper load and count) and the seal number next to your signature.
- Blank weight. An overweight ticket lands on the carrier. Get the weight on paper before you pull out.
- A clean delivery signature on damaged freight. "Subject to inspection" is not an exception. The receiver has to describe the damage on the BOL, or the claim comes back to you.
- Wrong charge terms. "Collect" means the consignee pays. If a broker is paying you, mark third party and put the broker in the bill-to box.
How TruckFlow generates BOLs automatically
TruckFlow.ai builds the bill of lading from the load record instead of a blank form. Forward the broker's rate con to your account's intake address and the AI builds the load with the pickup and delivery stops, dates, commodity, and weight, so the BOL is generated with those fields already filled. You email it from the app, and the invoice drafted from the same load is ready to review and send when the freight delivers. That is the difference between invoicing the same day and invoicing when someone finds the paperwork; our cash flow and invoicing tips show what the delay costs. See trucking dispatch software for the full load flow and owner-operator trucking software for a one-truck setup.
Bill of lading FAQ
Is a bill of lading legally required?
Yes. Under 49 CFR 373.101, a motor carrier must issue a receipt or bill of lading for property it accepts for transportation. You will not get paid without one either.
Can I get this bill of lading template in Word or Excel?
Fill in the form above and use "Print / Save as PDF" for a clean copy. If you keep templates in Word or Excel, use the required-fields list on this page as your checklist.
How long should I keep signed bills of lading?
At least three years. They support your invoices and tax records, and under the Carmack Amendment a shipper can file a cargo claim up to nine months after delivery and sue up to two years after a claim is denied.
Do I still need a rate confirmation if I have a BOL?
Yes. The BOL is the contract with the shipper for the freight; the rate confirmation is the contract with the broker for the money. You need both on every brokered load.
If you are still filling BOLs by hand and chasing signed copies, start a free 14-day TruckFlow trial. No credit card. Book the load once and the BOL and invoice follow. Plans start at $99/mo; see pricing. More free tools: cost per mile calculator and IFTA calculator.