Detention Time

What is the Detention Time?

Detention time in trucking refers to the period a driver waits at a shipper’s or receiver’s facility beyond the scheduled loading or unloading time. While a certain amount of wait time, usually around two hours, is considered part of the job, anything beyond this is considered detention.

This waiting period often arises due to various reasons, such as delayed shipments, inefficient loading or unloading practices, or scheduling errors. However, it’s the trucker who bears the brunt of these inefficiencies, as detention time can lead to lost driving hours, lower earnings, and missed subsequent deliveries.

The Impact of Detention Time

Decreased Earnings: As most truckers are paid per mile, hours spent idle at a facility can lead to significant income loss.

Reduced Productivity: Detention time eats into a driver’s Hours of Service (HOS), limiting the time they can legally drive and thereby reducing their productivity.

Risk of Delays: Excessive detention time can result in missed delivery windows for subsequent loads, leading to a ripple effect of delays across the supply chain.

Driver Dissatisfaction: Persistent detention can lead to job dissatisfaction and stress among drivers, contributing to the industry’s high turnover rate.

Mitigating Detention Time

Detention Pay: Carriers often negotiate detention pay with shippers or brokers to compensate drivers for excessive wait times. The rate and conditions can vary, but generally, detention pay kicks in after the first two free hours.

Effective Communication: Clear communication with shippers and receivers about pickup and delivery schedules can help mitigate detention time.

Technology: Telematics and real-time tracking can help identify trends in detention time and spotlight facilities that consistently cause delays.

Detention Regulations and Reforms

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has recognized detention time as a significant issue in the trucking industry, impacting safety and productivity. There is ongoing debate about potential regulatory changes, such as standardized detention pay and maximum wait times. Some industry advocates are pushing for shippers and receivers to be held accountable for unreasonable detention times.

The Bottom Line

Detention time is a complex and pressing issue in the trucking industry, influencing driver earnings, job satisfaction, and the broader efficiency of the freight transportation system. While negotiation of detention pay and the use of technology offer some mitigation, comprehensive solutions are likely to require regulatory reforms and collaborative efforts across the industry to tackle this widespread problem.
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