In trucking, time is not a number on a dashboard but the driver’s currency. Every minute your wheels are not turning is a minute you’re not earning. But one of the most persistent “silent killers” of the driver’s paycheck is idling at a shipping or receiving dock. It is here that detention pay comes on stage.
Detention pay at its core is a type of hourly wage for a driver delayed at a facility after a particular scheduled time, usually the first two hours. It is basically “overtime” payment for waiting for a warehouse to open a door or a lumper crew to finish their coffee. Detention pay is part of the industry so it is also an issue to discuss in 2026.
Although a detention rate is an incentive to compensate drivers for a lost opportunity, many drivers still feel like they are actually donating their life to the supply chain. They experience pressure to “just wait a little longer” for free.
Contents:
Why Does Detention Pay Exist?
If you were a plumber and a homeowner made you sit on their porch for four hours before letting you in to fix the sink, you’d charge them for the wait. Trucking should be no different. Detention pay for truckers exists for three primary reasons:
- Missed Opportunity Cost: The current Hours of Service regulations are a timer for your 14-hour workday. If you’re burning 5 hours waiting at a dock, you’ve just reduced your time to haul freight and earn a profit by 5 hours.
- Operating expenses: Your truck is costing money even in parked mode. Whether you’re idling for climate control or simply losing out on the next scheduled load, the overhead doesn't stop just because the forklift does.
- Accountability: Financial penalty is absolutely necessary to keep shippers and receivers efficient. If it’s “free” to keep a driver at the dock, they’ll put their daily warehouse chores first and ignore the driver’s schedule.
The Typical 2026 Detention Pay Rate
Each carrier has a different rate of detention pay, but the industry average rate is $25-$100 per hour. Hauling specialized loads such as Hazmat or oversized loads typically results in a higher rate due to the more expensive equipment and driver time.
How to Get Your Detention Pay: From Claim to Cash
It is not automatic to get paid for your time. It requires technology, discipline, and a carrier that actually has your back. A lot of drivers have lost hundreds of dollars in wages because they didn’t “check the boxes” expected by the broker or shipper.
1. The "Paper Trail" is Everything.
Your ELD is your best friend in 2026. To secure your detention pay, you must:
- Arrive On Time: If you’re late to your appointment, you usually forfeit your right to detention.
- Capture the "In" Time: Ensure your arrival is logged. Many shippers require you to have your Bill of Lading (BOL) time-stamped by the security guard or office clerk upon arrival.
- The "Out" Stamp: Never leave a facility without a departure timestamp. If the facility refuses to stamp your BOL, take a photo of your ELD screen showing your location and the time, or send a message through your dispatch app immediately.
2. Immediate Communication.
Don't wait until tomorrow to tell your dispatcher you were stuck. Most carriers require a “detention alert” as soon as you get to the two-hour mark. This allows the carrier to reach out to the broker or shipper in real time to say, “The clock is now running.”
How HMD Fights for Drivers
At HMD Trucking, we view the driver – carrier relationship as a partnership. We know that when you’re sitting, you’re frustrated. That’s why we don't just "offer" detention pay – we actively pursue it. However, our primary goal is to avoid those delays entirely so you can experience pure driving.
To us, pure driving means you are earning for every mile on the odometer rather than wasting unpaid hours waiting for customers or receivers. We take a proactive approach to your schedule; our dispatchers and even our sales managers engage directly with customers to emphasize the importance of a smooth flow of trucks through their yards.
In our Dry Van division, we further minimize delays by ensuring the majority of our loads are drop and hook. This means semi – trailers are often pre – loaded and waiting for you exactly at the established appointment time, keeping your wheels turning and your paycheck growing.
Our War on Downtime
The best kind of detention pay is the kind you never have to collect because you’re back on the road. We are aware that in a soft market, shippers may try to get drivers to wait. Our team is trained to do the heavy lifting in negotiations, so you don’t have to. Here are the ways in which our efforts will benefit you:
| HMD Effort | Driver Benefit |
| Sales & Dispatch Advocacy | Our managers negotiate with the customers to improve yard productivity and speed up the process, getting in and out quickly. |
| Shipper Scorecards | We track which facilities are "repeat offenders." If a certain warehouse consistently keeps drivers for 6 hours, we may stop taking their freight or increase the base rate to compensate for the inevitable delay. |
| Drop and Hook Mindset | The majority of dry van freight allows you to drop the trailer and go, skipping the long wait times to load. |
| Appointment Precision | Trailers are always ready to roll at the appointed time. No excuses. |
| Data-Driven Negotiations | We’re driven by data: live GPS and ELD information tell you exactly how long you’ve been waiting. No room for excuses. |
| Strict Scheduling | We work with shippers to ensure they aren't overbooking their docks. A well-managed facility is a fast facility. |
| Aggressive Detention Pursuit | The wheels aren't turning? We make the clock work for you by holding the customer financially responsible. |
Our philosophy is simple: we handle the logistics and the heavy lifting in the office so you can focus on the road.
Driver Best Practices: Protecting Your Time
Although the carrier is responsible for negotiating, you are the boots on the ground. Here are a few pro tips from veteran drivers to avoid being stuck in the first place.
- The Pre-Arrival Call: Communicate 30 minutes before arrival. Is the dock clear, or are they lagging behind? Sometimes they’ll ask you to grab a meal or nap at a nearby truck stop instead of sitting in their cramped lot.
- Professionalism at the Window: Being nice to the shipping clerk can help. If they like you, they may work you to the front of the line.
- The Power of the "Dock Packet": Have your PO numbers, BOLs, and ID ready before you hit the window. If you're organized, they can't blame you for any paperwork delays.
Summary Table: Detention vs. Moving Time
| Category | Moving Time (Goal) | Detention Time (Reality) |
| Earnings | Cents Per Mile (High Potential) | Hourly Rate (Safety Net) |
| HOS Impact | Uses "Driving" Hours | Uses "On-Duty" Hours |
| Stress Level | High focus, but productive | High frustration, unproductive |
| Industry Standard | Unlimited (within HOS) | The first 2 hours are usually "free." |
Conclusion: Value Your Time
In 2026, the American trucking industry is more competitive than ever. You cannot give away your labor for free. For truckers, detention pay is not a “bonus,” but a protection for your livelihood. By choosing a carrier like HMD that respects your clock and by following strict documentation habits, you can ensure that even when you’re standing still, your bank account is still moving forward.
