Complicated Arrangements Make for Easy Transactions

Fuel card transactions consist of somewhat complicated arrangements among card suppliers, trucking companies and fueling stations. The arrangements include everything from diesel for the truck to personal ATM accounts for drivers.

In a nutshell, a trucking company typically negotiates a fuel price with truck stops.

he trucking company then informs the fuel card provider of the terms. When a driver takes on fuel, the truck stop automatically transmits a record of the transaction to the card company. The card company either pays the bill and collects from the trucking company, which is called a funded transaction, or it sends a bill to the trucking company, which pays the truck stop directly.

In addition to paying for fuel, the cards may be used to buy food, amenities and repairs. And perhaps for personal banking.

For the full story, see the Feb. 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.