Truck driver detention refers to the time a driver spends waiting at a shipper or receiver’s facility beyond the scheduled loading or unloading time. This can occur due to inefficiencies, such as delays in paperwork, unprepared freight, or long queues at the facility. Detention is a significant issue for truck drivers because it disrupts their schedules, reduces their driving hours, and often leads to a loss of income, as many are paid by the mile, not by the hour.

Typically, carriers and drivers expect a two-hour window for loading or unloading. Beyond that, drivers may be entitled to detention pay, although not all companies compensate for this time. Detention also contributes to increased stress, missed appointments, and delays in delivering goods. To address this issue, some industry stakeholders advocate for better scheduling practices and increased accountability for shippers and receivers to minimize the time drivers spend waiting.

Truckers detained at customer facilities drive 14.6% faster than non-detained drivers, GPS data shows