Truck detention is time a commercial vehicle spends waiting at a shipper or receiver beyond the free time allowed by the governing agreement. It is an industry term used across Canadian and U.S. trucking operations.
When can detention become billable?
There is no universal rule. A potentially supportable claim usually depends on several conditions occurring together:
- The driver arrived on time.
- The delay exceeded the allowed free time.
- The delay was not caused by the carrier.
- Arrival and departure times are documented.
- Any required notice was provided.
- The request is submitted within the applicable deadline.
Detention is not created by the website or the carrier’s frustration. The commercial basis comes from the rate confirmation, contract, written approval or counterparty policy.
A simple detention example
| Item | Example |
|---|---|
| Arrival | 9:00 AM |
| Departure | 2:00 PM |
| Total dwell | 5 hours |
| Free time | 2 hours |
| Potential billable time | 3 hours |
| Rate | $75/hour |
| Illustrative claim | $225 |
The example is illustrative only. The actual rate, rounding method, maximum, notice requirements and eligibility rules are load-specific.
What evidence is commonly required?
Broker policies frequently require documented in/out times. C.H. Robinson’s published carrier guidance says detention may apply when the driver was on time, the delay exceeded two hours, the carrier did not cause the delay and arrival/departure times are documented. Uber Freight’s published process requires a detention request within its stated post-delivery window and a POD containing in/out times.
- Rate confirmation or written agreement.
- Signed POD/BOL or other facility record showing times.
- Tracking or ELD evidence where available.
- Required broker notice or approval.
- Original invoice or settlement status.
Why does detention matter in Canada?
Ontario hours-of-service guidance treats waiting for loading or unloading as on-duty time. That means a delayed truck consumes legally limited driver hours even while the vehicle is not moving. Canadian Trucking Alliance publications have also described detention as a recurring carrier and driver concern.
Why are detention invoices often missed?
- The driver does not obtain signed in/out times.
- The dispatcher sends notice but billing never sees it.
- The accessorial is approved in email but omitted from the final invoice.
- The broker has a short submission deadline.
- The carrier factors the base invoice before adding the supplemental charge.
- The freight payment arrives and nobody reconciles the accessorial separately.
How Freight Claim Recovery approaches detention
We start with recent completed loads and review the terms, times, notices, supporting documents and payment state. A load is classified as potentially supportable, incomplete, already billed, not supported or requiring a factoring route. Nothing is submitted without carrier approval.