A cabover, short for Cab-Over-Engine (COE), is a truck design where the driver's cab sits directly on top of the engine. This makes the front of the truck flat, without the long hood of conventional trucks. To work on the engine, the entire cab tilts forward on hydraulic hinges. This layout was popular in the United States for decades due to strict length laws.
Cabovers offer excellent visibility and a tight turning radius, making them ideal for urban delivery routes and tight warehouse docks. However, the ride is rougher because the front axle sits directly under the driver's seat. Accessing the cab requires climbing a vertical ladder. While rare in North America today, cabovers remain the dominant truck style in Europe and Asia due to narrow roads.