Proof of delivery (POD)
The signed document that proves a load was delivered, usually the bill of lading signed by the receiver.
Proof of delivery, or POD, is what shows a load actually arrived. Most of the time it is the bill of lading signed by the person who received the freight, sometimes with a delivery receipt or a stamped copy. It is the last piece of paperwork on a load and often the most important one.
No POD, no pay. Brokers require it before they release your money, and factoring companies will not advance on a load without it. If the receiver noted damage or a short count when they signed, that is on the POD too, which is why a clean signature with nothing marked protects you.
The practical rule is to capture it right away. Snap a clear photo of the signed POD at the dock, while you are still there, instead of letting it ride in the truck until you get around to invoicing.
Related: bill of lading, factoring, rate confirmation.