Shippers and receivers don’t always load or unload on time. When trucks sit, revenue stops. Detention pay assistance trucking exists to fix that gap so drivers and carriers get compensated for delays beyond the free time on a rate confirmation. In this guide, you’ll learn what detention is, how to prove it, when to request it, and how a truck dispatch company can help you recover more without wasting hours on emails and calls.

What Is Detention Pay and Why It Matters

Detention pay is a fee a shipper or broker pays when loading or unloading goes past the agreed free time, usually 2 hours. Detention protects your time, covers fuel and labor, and keeps your schedule realistic. Without a process, though, many carriers never bill it—or they bill it late and get denied. That’s where detention pay assistance trucking becomes a strategic service, not just a one-off request.

Who Benefits From Detention Pay Assistance

• Solo company drivers who don’t have back-office support

• Small fleets juggling multiple appointments each day

• Owner-operators who want fewer admin headaches and more drive time

• Dispatch teams that need a standard, repeatable flow that brokers respect

A consistent method helps everyone send the right proof the first time and shortens approval cycles.

The Fastest Way To Win Detention Claims

Step 1: Capture Time Stamps At The Dock

Use the in/out times printed on the bill of lading (BOL). If the guard shack won’t stamp, ask shipping to write and sign the times. Snap phone photos in good lighting. Turn on the location stamp in your camera settings so the image metadata proves you were at the facility.

Step 2: Notify The Broker Early And In Writing

Email or message as soon as free time is about to expire. Short note: “We arrived 12:05 PM, free time 2 hours, now at 2:10 PM still waiting. Requesting detention moving forward.” Early notice shows good faith and prevents “we didn’t know” denials.

Step 3: Match The Rate Confirmation

Your rate con is the rulebook. It sets free time, hourly rate, cap, and what proof is required. Detention pay assistance trucking services check every line and make sure your submission uses the same terms and format the broker expects, which increases approvals.

Step 4: Submit Clean Documents Within 24 Hours

Attach BOL with in/out times, arrival photos, geofenced ELD logs if available, and a short recap of minutes waited. Keep file names tidy: MC-Detention.pdf. Faster paperwork means faster approval.

Step 5: Track, Escalate, And Close

Log the claim, due date, and who acknowledged it. Follow up every 48–72 hours with a polite, time-stamped nudge. If it stalls, escalate to the broker’s billing lead with a calm summary of evidence and the exact amount due.

What Counts As “Good Evidence” For Detention

Must-have items

• BOL showing arrival and departure time

• Email or platform messages proving on-time arrival and check in

• Photos of the dock door, truck number, and clock/time display

Nice-to-have items

• ELD geofence entry/exit report

• Appointment confirmation with time window

• Facility instructions showing check-in procedure

Good evidence tells a simple story: you arrived on time, waited past free time, and left with a signed BOL. Detention pay assistance trucking is really a storytelling job using documents.

When Detention Isn’t The Only Option

Sometimes the load cancels late or a receiver bumps you to tomorrow. Two related protections may apply:

• Layover pay: If you must stay overnight due to shipper/receiver/broker delay, bill the daily layover rate listed on the rate con. Using the term layover pay makes it clear this is not hourly detention.

• TONU assistance trucking: TONU stands for Truck Ordered, Not Used. If the load is canceled after you were dispatched or after deadheading to the shipper, TONU compensates the lost day and fuel.

A smart process checks each situation and chooses the right claim type. That helps approvals and keeps the relationship professional.

How Dispatch Teams Boost Your Payouts

A professional truck dispatch service does more than book freight. It can organize detention workflows so drivers spend less time in the app and more time on the road. Here’s what a solid back office handles:

Policy Setup

Create a one-page policy that matches your top brokers’ terms: free time, rate per hour, caps, and the exact documents needed. Everyone follows the same playbook.

Evidence Toolkit

Drivers get a simple checklist on their phone with examples of acceptable BOL stamps and photos. The checklist removes guesswork at busy docks.

Submission Standard

Dispatchers send claims within 24 hours, with all attachments named and ordered the same way every time. Brokers learn to trust and approve faster.

Aging & Escalation

A shared tracker shows pending amounts, days outstanding, and the next action. Weekly escalations keep the money moving without burning bridges.

With this structure, detention pay assistance trucking becomes a predictable cash-flow system, not a coin flip.

Simple Numbers: What Detention Is Worth

• Average hourly detention rate: $40–$75 per hour depending on lane and broker

• Common free time: first 2 hours at shipper and first 2 hours at receiver

• Typical approval window: 3–14 days after paperwork is complete

• Impact on weekly revenue: 3–10% lift for small fleets that previously didn’t bill consistently

Those extra dollars often cover fuel jumps or a truck wash and help stabilize take-home pay.

Primary Keyword Use In Context

If you’re new to detention pay assistance trucking, begin with one customer this week and build a template. Then repeat it across all lanes. Many carriers who adopt detention pay assistance trucking also see fewer schedule conflicts, because shippers take punctuality more seriously when delays have a cost. Over a month, detention pay assistance trucking can turn lost time into real, trackable revenue.

Five LSI Keywords Used Naturally In This Article

• detention pay

• Truckers claim detention

• file detention claims

• layover pay

• TONU assistance trucking

Featured Snippet Quick Answers

How do I request detention?

Arrive on time, get in/out stamps on the BOL, notify the broker as free time ends, then submit BOL + photos within 24 hours with the hours and rate from the rate con.

What documents prove detention?

Signed BOL with times, arrival messages, dock photos, and if possible ELD geofence logs.

How much is detention?

Most contracts pay $40–$75 per hour after 2 hours of free time, up to a daily cap listed on the rate confirmation.

Who pays detention?

The broker invoices the shipper and pays the carrier based on the rate con terms once documentation is approved.

FAQ: High-CTR Questions

Is detention pay guaranteed?

No. It depends on your rate confirmation and proof. Clear stamps, photos, and on-time arrival notices raise approval odds.

Can I request detention if the shipper refused to stamp my BOL?

Yes. Ask shipping to handwrite times and sign, take timestamped photos, and include arrival messages. Many brokers accept this when stamps aren’t possible.

What if the load cancels after I arrive?

Use TONU assistance trucking if you were dispatched and then released. If you must stay overnight, switch to layover pay.

How long until I get paid?

With clean paperwork and friendly follow-ups, expect 3–14 days, depending on the broker’s cycle.

Do dispatchers help with claims?

Yes. Many dispatch teams prepare evidence, submit forms, and track approvals so drivers can focus on driving.

Action Plan You Can Use Today

1. Add a detention line to every rate con you accept.

2. Save a BOL photo template on your phone—front, time stamps, and dock door.

3. Send a “free time ending” message as you hit the 2-hour mark.

4. Submit within 24 hours and log the amount due.

5. Follow up every 2–3 days until paid.

Call To Action

Want a done-for-you workflow that recovers more on every slow dock? Talk to our dispatch team about detention pay assistance trucking. We’ll set up your templates, train drivers on quick evidence capture, file detention claims for you, and track every dollar until it lands in your account. Book a 10-minute call and start turning wait time into pay time.