Every owner-operator has sat at a dock for hours waiting to be loaded. That time has a price — but only if it’s documented and claimed the right way. Here’s how detention and layover pay work.
What is detention pay?
Detention is pay for waiting at a shipper or receiver beyond the agreed “free time”. Free time is commonly around two hours from your appointment, after which detention is usually paid at an hourly rate. The exact terms vary by broker and load, which is why they need to be on the rate confirmation.
What is layover pay?
Layover is pay for being held over to another day — for example, when a receiver can’t unload you until the next morning, or a load isn’t ready and you have to wait overnight. It’s typically a flat amount per day, again based on what’s written in the rate confirmation.
What about TONU?
TONU stands for “truck ordered, not used”. If a load is cancelled after you’ve already been dispatched to it, you may be owed a TONU payment for your time and miles. Like detention, it needs to be requested promptly.
Why drivers miss out on this money
- It wasn’t on the rate confirmation. If detention terms aren’t written down, collecting is much harder.
- The broker wasn’t told in time. Many brokers expect notice before free time runs out.
- No proof. Without in and out times, a claim often gets denied.
- Nobody followed up. Claims that aren’t submitted with the invoice tend to get forgotten.
How to document detention and layover
- Check the RC before you go. Know the free time, the detention rate and the layover terms.
- Be on time. Detention usually only applies if you arrived for your appointment on time.
- Record your times. Get your check-in and check-out times written on the bill of lading whenever possible.
- Give notice early. Let your dispatcher or broker know before free time runs out — not after.
- Keep backup. ELD logs, gate receipts and timestamped photos all help support a claim.
- Submit it with the invoice. Send the claim and proof together with your billing paperwork.
Quick checklist: RC terms ✔ on-time arrival ✔ in/out times on the BOL ✔ broker notified before free time ends ✔ proof attached to the invoice ✔
How a dispatcher helps
This is exactly the kind of work a good dispatcher should take off your plate. At Load & Go, we make sure detention and layover terms are on the rate confirmation before we sign it, track your times, notify the broker before free time runs out, and include the claim with your invoice when we bill the load or submit it to your factoring company.
See everything that’s included on our services page.
