Truck drivers face mounting challenges with detention times. Recent data from the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) show that delays of six hours or more have increased by 27.4 percent. Every driver knows the frustration - you arrive at a facility ready to work, then sit idle as precious hours and revenue slip away.
The problem extends beyond just waiting. Detention time, which refers to the extra hours spent at shipping and receiving facilities after scheduled loading times, creates significant operational issues at freight docks nationwide. ATRI's 2023 Top Industry Issues Report ranks driver detention as the fourth most important problem for truckers and the sixth most crucial industry-wide challenge.
This piece outlines practical ways to reduce wait times, secure fair compensation for delays, and develop detention management systems that benefit your fleet, customers, and drivers. Innovative companies can turn this ongoing challenge into a competitive edge as we look toward 2025.
Image Source: Truck Driver Rights
Detention time refers to those frustrating hours truck drivers waste at facilities when loading or unloading takes longer than the standard two-hour window. These delays send shockwaves through the supply chain, affecting everyone from drivers to carriers and their customers.
The financial cost of detention hits hard. Truck drivers lose between $1.1 billion and $1.3 billion in wages each year due to these delays. A typical driver's annual income drops by $1,281 to $1,534—about 3 to 3.6 percent of their yearly earnings. The trucking industry incurred $3.6 billion in direct costs and $11.5 billion in lost productivity due to driver detention in 2023 alone.
These problems are systemic. Drivers got stuck at 39.3 percent of all stops in 2023. The numbers look even worse for specific groups. Women drivers face detention at 49.1 percent of their stops, while refrigerated trailer drivers experience delays at 56.2 percent of their deliveries.
Safety risks increase significantly with detention. Delayed drivers often speed to make up lost time. ATRI's research shows that detained trucks drove 14.6 percent faster than trucks without delays. Additionally, approximately 4 percent of drivers admitted to exceeding the legal hours of service and falsifying their logbook entries due to detention time.
Detention strains business relationships throughout the supply chain. While 94.5 percent of fleets charge detention fees, they collect payment for less than half of these invoices. This payment gap makes carriers more selective; 77 percent now screen their partners carefully, and 80 percent refuse to work with specific facilities.
Detention time wreaks havoc beyond wasted hours. It empties wallets, compromises safety, and damages the trucking industry's business relationships.
Smart carriers discover new ways to curb detention challenges instead of accepting them as unavoidable. Fleet owners can significantly reduce detention frequency and minimize associated costs through well-planned approaches.
Clear communication serves as the lifeblood of detention management. Carriers who communicate early and often with shippers about loading processes can plan more effective routes. They avoid facility congestion this way. Updates about arrival times help facilities optimize their resources. Better preparation comes from earlier notifications.
Modern detention management relies heavily on technology. Fleet managers gain precise control over their assets through GPS trailer tracking technology that helps manage detention costs. The combination of geofencing and GPS tracking shows exactly when trailers enter customer sites. This enables carriers to track the duration of trucks on-site and verify detention claims.
Smart carriers understand the importance of negotiating practical detention clauses. They set clear contract terms about wait times before charges apply. This motivates shippers to load and unload trucks faster.
Proper documentation makes detention management work. Carriers should:
Track check-in and check-out times carefully using ELDs, dispatch systems, or facility sign-in sheets
Note in/out times correctly on bills of lading to approve charges
Follow each facility's rules for reporting wait times
Success in detention management depends on driver participation. Drivers who are familiar with facility-specific rules can avoid paperwork mistakes that could void detention claims.
The sales process marks the beginning of detention management. Carriers gain an advantage when they include detention policies in their original contract talks. This prevents difficult conversations later. Customer service teams need room to turn down loads or adjust contracts based on detention policies.
These strategies, when combined, help carriers turn detention from a daily challenge into something they can handle effectively.
Carriers struggle to get paid for detention time, even with solid policies in their contracts. The numbers tell a stark story: while 94.5% of fleets charge these fees, they collect payment on less than half of their invoices.
Your detention compensation rates will improve if you set up clear policies with customers. These policies need to spell out:
The exact time detention charges kick in (usually after two hours)
Your fee structure with hourly rates and any limits
The proof required for detention claims
When invoices must be submitted
Payment terms you expect
Strong documentation will help you get paid for detention time. You need detailed records of arrival times, facility check-ins and check-outs, and staff communications. ELD timestamps can validate your claims during disputes.
A well-structured dispute process prevents minor issues from harming your customer relationships. The quickest way starts with dispatchers talking to facility managers. If needed, operations managers step in next. Executives become involved only in cases of systemic problems.
Modern tech makes tracking and billing detention much easier now. Transportation management systems flag eligible loads automatically and create invoices. Many carriers use detention scorecards to track facilities over time, providing them with solid data for customer discussions.
Prevention is most effective in the long run. You should identify problem facilities and adjust rates to offset predicted detention costs. Some carriers now give priority to customers who load and unload efficiently, which rewards good performance.
Your detention policies must apply equally to all customers. This builds trust and prevents claims of unfair treatment. Clear policies, solid documentation, and the right technology can reshape the scene from constant battles to smooth business operations.
Trucking operations across the country face a significant challenge with detention time as we look toward 2025. This piece illustrates how these delays impact driver earnings, pose safety risks, and harm business relationships. The numbers tell a clear story - detention affects nearly 40% of all stops. Drivers lose over $1,000 each year, and the industry loses billions in productivity.
Smart carriers need to take charge instead of treating this as just another business cost. Good communication is the best first step - letting facilities know about arrival times and special needs before any issues arise. GPS tracking and geofencing technology also provides solid proof to validate detention claims when delays happen.
Clear policies are the foundations of good detention management. Contracts must clearly outline when detention charges commence, payment rates, and documentation requirements. Enforcing these rules fairly for all customers builds trust and reliability.
Every minute a driver waits means lost money and missed chances. The methods we've covered here - from careful record-keeping to facility scorecards - can help turn detention from an expensive problem into a process you can control. Drivers who help plan their routes can better direct facility-specific procedures.
Carriers who tackle detention head-on will lead the industry. Those who become skilled in these approaches end up with satisfied drivers, stronger customer bonds, and increased profits. Your fleet gains a competitive edge when you put these detention management practices to work in an industry where time means money.
Book a Call with Glocate and turn detention into a competitive advantage.