Detention

Detention pay compensates carriers for excessive wait times at shipper or receiver facilities. Most rate confirmations include a "free time" window — typically 2 hours — for loading or unloading. Once you exceed that free time, detention pay kicks in, usually at $25-$75 per hour depending on the broker and market.

Detention is one of the biggest hidden costs in trucking. According to FMCSA data, drivers spend an average of 1.5 hours waiting at each stop, with about 25% of stops exceeding the 2-hour free time. At an average detention rate of $50/hour, even one 4-hour wait per week adds up to $100/week or $5,200/year in detention pay you should be collecting. Many owner-operators do not track or claim detention, leaving thousands on the table annually.

The key to collecting detention is documentation. Record your arrival time (check-in at the gate or dock), your loaded/unloaded time, and your departure time. Many facilities have check-in systems that stamp your arrival, but always note times on your BOL or take photos. Without documentation, brokers routinely deny claims.