Understanding Detention, Layover, and Breakdown Pay as a CDL Driver
As a truck driver, you don’t get paid by the hour—you get paid for moving freight. So when delays happen, your wheels stop turning… and so does your income. That’s why it’s critical to understand the compensation systems in place to protect your time: detention pay, layover pay, and breakdown pay.
Each of these pay types is designed to offset lost wages and keep your earnings fair, even when the freight world throws a wrench in your schedule.
🕐 Detention Pay: Waiting at the Dock Shouldn’t Be Free
Detention pay covers time spent waiting to be loaded or unloaded beyond the free grace period, usually 1–2 hours.
🔄 How Detention Pay Works:
Most carriers allow 2 hours free
After that, they pay an hourly rate (commonly $20–$35/hour)
Some fleets require dispatcher notification within 15–30 minutes of arrival to be eligible
📦 Example Scenario:
You arrive at a shipper at 8:00 AM. The load isn’t ready until 1:00 PM. If your carrier offers detention after 2 hours, you may earn 3 hours of detention pay—but only if you logged your arrival and notified dispatch properly.
⚠️ Be Aware:
Some companies only pay detention if they’re reimbursed by the shipper
Others may lowball or deny claims if you forget to report in or submit documentation
🛌 Layover Pay: When You’re Stuck for the Night
Layover pay kicks in when you’re held overnight because your next load isn’t ready, or your delivery appointment gets bumped.
💸 Typical Layover Rates:
$50–$150 per night
May require no available work for you to qualify
Often paid per 24-hour period, not just for sleeping in the truck
🚚 Example:
You’re delivering in Kansas City at 10:00 AM, but your next load doesn’t pick up until the following morning. If dispatch can’t route you a fill-in run, and you’re waiting 12+ hours, you should qualify for layover.
🔧 Breakdown Pay: When Your Truck Says “Nope”
Breakdown pay is compensation for mechanical issues or truck failures that make you unable to drive.
🔍 What’s Covered:
Engine or transmission failure
DEF system or ELD problems
Flat tires or blown hoses requiring road service
Major repairs at a terminal or shop
💰 What You Can Expect:
Usually starts after 2–4 hours of downtime
Paid daily (common range: $75–$150/day)
Some fleets include hotel or meal reimbursement if extended
👇 Example:
You break down on a Sunday night in Ohio. The nearest repair facility won’t open until Monday morning. You’re stuck 14 hours waiting for a part. A good carrier will:
Pay breakdown for that period
Cover your lodging (or provide a hotel)
Not penalize you on miles for the week
📊 Comparison Chart: Typical Pay Ranges by Type
| Pay Type | Trigger Time | Rate Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detention | After 1–2 hours | $20–$35/hr | Must notify dispatch |
| Layover | 12+ hours idle | $50–$150/day | Often requires approval |
| Breakdown | After 2–4 hours | $75–$150/day | May include hotel/meals |
📋 How to Protect Yourself
Always use your ELD logs and BOL timestamps to document arrival/departure
Notify dispatch as soon as you’re detained or held unexpectedly
Take photos of signs/times/queue if needed for proof
Get breakdown reports or repair orders if claiming downtime
Ask about pay policies up front—don’t assume all carriers pay these fees
🚛 What Carriers Don’t Always Tell You
Some fleets expect you to request detention/layover pay—it’s not automatic
Others use it as a recruiting pitch but rarely honor it
Smaller carriers may pay better but more inconsistently
Third-party recruiters like Melissa at Class A Jobs 411 can pre-screen carriers for you and tell you which ones pay reliably (and which ones don’t)
💬 Final Word
Delays in trucking are inevitable—but losing pay doesn’t have to be.
The best companies will:
Respect your time
Pay you fairly for delays
Communicate clearly and log everything
If you’re not getting detention, layover, or breakdown pay regularly, you might be leaving thousands of dollars on the table every year.
