I watched with anticipation as that little truck made its way across several states, representing the delivery of what I am sure will be a great book.  It was already here one evening, and then - BAM!  The next evening it was back in its sender's state like it was tied to a rubber band!  What, if anything, does this mean?  Was it returned to the sender for some reason?   It is now nearly here again on the map, and I am afraid it'll snap back again!

How does this tracking happen?  Does the sender have to use PBS money?  Other books coming my way do not have an indicator like this one does.  It is fun to watch!  Scared me to death when it tooted its horn at me in the late night quiet of my home, too!  Yikes!  Why don't all the books have the little truck?  Oh, boy, so many questions!   Thanks for clarifying things here.   D.

The truck does not apply to where a book is.  If the book gets scanned at a location, then a dot will appear.  But where the truck is is a guess.  I think only books with DC scans get trucks. 

From help

Click on the active transaction on your account page.

• The Delivery Confirmation is on the bottom of the details box that pops up.
• 'Electronic Shipping Info Received' means that the USPS is aware that a DC label bearing the specified number has been generated.  It does NOT indicate that the book has been scanned!
• You can confirm this for yourself by going here and entering the DC code that was printed on the wrapper for this book.
• When USPS scans the barcode, and transmits this information to the PBS system, you will receive your Quick credit.
• USPS sometimes scans a package as "Delivered" when it reaches the requestor's local Post office
  • there may be a few days' delay before the package reaches the destination address.
  • If your package has been scanned as Delivered and has not been marked received a week later, please contact the requestor first using the PM button on the transaction.  If she or he does not respond to your PM within 3 or 4 days, please contact us, and we will look into it.

The PBS Delivery Confirmation Map

• The map shows your book's progress from point to point en route to its destination.
• Each time the barcode is scanned, a dot will be recorded on the map.
  • Clicking on a dot will provide information about that "waypoint".
• The little truck "drives" at a steady pace, beginning on the day the sender marked the book mailed
  • It will keep driving until USPS scans the barcode to tell the truck where your book is.
  • Then the truck's position will "correct" to reflect the latest scan information
• Click the truck for a surprise!

Thanks, Emily - another night owl like me!  Guess I didn't think Help would discuss that truck,tho' I'd read something somewhere about it.  It is fun to watch - wish all the books had it!   D.

I've had the truck snap back too.  Yesterday it was stuck in some other state, but when I got to the PO, the book was there. 

I gave up on watching the truck. It's to exasperating. Now I only click on the tab that says "Details" It tells me what I need to know without the truck shenanigans.

And late one night it honked.  Almost hit the ceiling.  I know from past experience that USPS is not very good at uploading the scan data.  Seems to be often days behind the book.  

I think you are right about them being behind the book itself.  The book arrived today!  Unfortunately, I was so excited and in a hurry to mark it received for the sender, so I didn't think to look at where the truck actually was.  That's OK - maybe next time!  And YES, I nearly hit the ceiling myself when that thing tooted at me!!!  lol   :)   D.

Lies!  All lies!

I mailed out a book yesterday, marked it sent and then clicked on the checkmark.  15 minutes after I dropped the book in the mailbox, the little truck was in Colorado.  Apparently, it left my book in Utah.  :o)