What Is Detention Pay?

Detention pay is compensation paid to a truck driver when they are held at a shipper or receiver facility beyond the free time allowed in the load agreement. Most rate confirmations include two free hours at pickup and two free hours at delivery. After that window expires, the driver is entitled to detention pay for every hour they continue to wait.

For owner operators, uncollected detention pay represents thousands of dollars in lost income every year. Knowing how to document it, request it, and enforce it is a critical part of running a profitable trucking business.

How Detention Pay Works

Detention rates vary by broker and load agreement, but common rates range from $25 to $75 per hour after the free time period ends. Some brokers cap detention at a maximum payout per event. Others require prior authorization before detention begins accruing.

Key things to understand about detention:

The clock typically starts after 2 free hours, but some agreements allow only 1 hour free
You must notify the broker or dispatcher in writing as soon as detention begins
Some brokers require a specific detention request form or email before they will process payment
Detention pay is taxable income and should be documented on your invoices

How to Document Detention Properly

Poor documentation is the most common reason detention claims get denied. Here is how to protect yourself:

Note your exact arrival time at the facility and get it stamped on your BOL if possible
Text or email your dispatcher the moment free time expires with your arrival time and current time
Take a timestamped photo of the facility clock or your phone screen showing the time when you arrived and when you were released
Keep a written log in your cab of every detention event including facility name, date, arrival time, and release time
Get a signature or stamp on your delivery receipt showing the actual release time

Communicating Detention to Your Dispatcher

Your dispatcher is your advocate with the broker. The faster you notify them that detention is occurring, the faster they can document it on their end and communicate with the broker. A good dispatcher will send a written detention notice to the broker immediately and follow up to confirm the broker has acknowledged it.

At Nexloads, we track detention in real time and handle all broker communication on your behalf so you are not chasing payments or filing paperwork from the cab.

What to Do When a Broker Refuses to Pay Detention

Unfortunately, some brokers push back on detention claims. Here is how to handle it:

Always have your documentation ready — timestamps, messages, and signed BOLs are your evidence
Escalate to a supervisor at the brokerage if the initial contact refuses to process the claim
File a complaint with the FMCSA if the broker repeatedly ignores valid detention claims
Consider adding problematic brokers to your do-not-haul list and report them to carrier feedback platforms

Negotiating Detention Rates Before You Accept a Load

The best time to negotiate detention terms is before you accept the load. If you are picking up at a notoriously slow facility, request a higher detention rate or shorter free time period upfront. A dispatcher with broker relationships can often negotiate better detention terms than a driver working alone.

Detention Pay Is Part of Your True Rate Per Mile

When evaluating a load, factor detention risk into your calculation. A load paying $2.80 per mile at a facility known for 4-hour waits may be less profitable than a $2.50 per mile load at a facility with consistent 30-minute turnarounds. Your dispatcher should know which shippers and receivers run efficiently and which ones routinely put you in detention.

See our dispatch plans to learn how Nexloads helps owner operators maximize total load value, not just rate per mile.