How to Negotiate Detention Pay
Your time is money. Every hour waiting at a dock costs you miles and income. Learn how to negotiate $50-100/hour detention pay into every load.
O TruckingHow to Negotiate Detention Pay: Get Paid for Wait Time
The Numbers
Average trucker loses 15-20 hours/month to unpaid detention. At $50/hour, that's $750-1,000/month in lost income. Over a year: $9,000-12,000. Worth negotiating, right?
6 Steps to Negotiate Detention Pay
Ask About Detention BEFORE Booking
Don't wait until you're stuck at a dock. Ask the broker upfront: 'What is the detention policy on this load?' Get the rate, free time, and maximum hours in writing.
Key Points:
- Ask during rate negotiation, not after
- Get it on the rate confirmation
- Know free time (usually 2 hours)
- Confirm hourly rate after free time
Know Standard Rates
Industry standard detention is $50-75/hour after 2 hours free time. Don't accept less than $50/hour. Premium rates ($75-100/hour) are reasonable for refrigerated or specialized freight.
Key Points:
- Minimum: $50/hour
- Standard: $50-75/hour
- Premium: $75-100/hour
- Don't accept no-detention loads
Get It in Writing on Rate Con
Verbal promises mean nothing. The rate confirmation should clearly state: detention rate, free time, maximum hours, and who pays. No written terms = no guaranteed payment.
Key Points:
- Written on rate confirmation
- Specific dollar amount per hour
- Free time clearly stated
- Cap (max hours) specified
Document Everything
When detained, create an airtight paper trail. Photo the dock, log check-in/out times, get signatures, and save all communications. Documentation wins disputes.
Key Points:
- Photo timestamp at arrival
- Get dock worker signature if possible
- Log in ELD/logbook
- Save all texts and emails
Communicate During Detention
Text or email your broker/dispatcher the moment you exceed free time. 'Arrived 08:00, still waiting at 10:15, detention clock started.' Create real-time documentation.
Key Points:
- Notify at 1.5 hours (approaching limit)
- Confirm detention started at 2 hours
- Update every 1-2 hours
- Use text/email (not just phone calls)
Invoice Properly and Promptly
Submit detention invoice within 24-48 hours with all documentation. Include: rate con, arrival/departure times, photos, and calculations. Delays = harder collections.
Key Points:
- Invoice within 48 hours
- Attach all documentation
- Show clear calculation
- Reference rate con terms
Standard Detention Rates by Equipment
| Equipment | Minimum | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Van | $50/hr | $50-65/hr | $75/hr |
| Reefer | $50/hr | $65-75/hr | $100/hr |
| Flatbed | $50/hr | $60-75/hr | $85/hr |
| Specialized | $75/hr | $75-100/hr | $125/hr |
All rates assume 2-hour free time. Negotiate for less free time when possible.
How to Handle Common Objections
Broker says: "We don't pay detention on this lane"
You respond: "I understand, but my time has value. I'll need to adjust my line-haul rate by $150 to account for potential wait time."
Broker says: "The shipper won't approve detention"
You respond: "That's between you and the shipper. My rate includes 2 hours free time. After that, detention applies per the rate confirmation."
Broker says: "You only waited 3 hours, that's not bad"
You respond: "3 hours is one hour of paid detention per our agreement. At $50/hour, that's $50. I have documentation showing arrival and departure times."
Broker says: "We'll pay detention on the next load"
You respond: "I appreciate that, but payment for services rendered needs to happen now. Let's discuss terms for future loads separately."
Documentation Checklist
- Time-stamped photos
Arrival at gate, in dock, departure. Phone photos include metadata.
- Signed check-in/out sheet
Get dock worker to sign with times. Many facilities have these.
- ELD/logbook entry
Your ELD records on-duty time at the location. Undeniable proof.
- Text/email communication
Written notifications to broker about detention. Screenshot everything.
We Negotiate Detention for You
Our dispatch team ensures detention is built into every rate confirmation. When you're detained, we document and invoice—so you get paid for your time.