Most drivers focus on the line-haul rate, the money paid for hauling the freight from point A to point B. But that rate does not account for all the time and work a load actually demands. Sitting at a dock for hours, waiting overnight for a reload, or performing extra services all cost you time and money, and you deserve to be paid for them. That is what accessorial charges are for.
The problem is that many drivers, especially newer ones, leave this money on the table. They do not know what they are entitled to, they do not document it properly, or they simply do not ask. This guide explains detention, layover, and other accessorial pay in plain terms, and more importantly, how to actually collect it. This is money you have already earned, so let us make sure you get it.
Why accessorial pay matters
Your time is worth money. When a shipper holds you at a dock for hours, that is time you cannot spend earning on another load, and it eats into your hours of service. Accessorial charges exist to compensate you for that lost time and for extra work beyond simply driving the freight.
Over a year, unclaimed accessorial pay adds up to serious money. Drivers who understand and collect these charges earn noticeably more than those who ignore them, even running the same loads. This ties directly into overall profitability, and our guide on staying profitable touches on why capturing every dollar you are owed matters so much.
Detention pay
Detention is the most common accessorial and the one most often disputed. It is pay for being held at a shipper or receiver beyond a reasonable loading or unloading window. Most agreements allow a certain amount of free time, after which detention pay kicks in for each additional period you wait.
The catch is that detention is only paid if it is agreed to and documented. If your rate confirmation does not address detention, collecting it becomes an uphill battle. Knowing your detention terms before you accept a load is part of protecting your time, which is why reading the rate con carefully matters, as our guide on how to read a rate confirmation explains.
Layover pay
Layover pay compensates you when you are stuck waiting for an extended period, often overnight, because a load is not ready or a delivery cannot be completed on schedule. Instead of earning, you are parked and waiting, sometimes for a full day or more.
Like detention, layover pay needs to be agreed upon and documented. When a situation arises that keeps you sitting, knowing your layover terms lets you claim compensation for that lost day rather than eating the cost. A day parked with no pay is a day that hurts your bottom line, so this charge exists to soften that blow.
Other common accessorial charges
Beyond detention and layover, there are several other charges you may be entitled to depending on the work involved.
Extra stops
If a load involves multiple pickups or deliveries beyond the first, each additional stop typically pays extra. Stops take time and effort, and stop pay compensates you for that.
Lumper fees
At some facilities, third parties handle the loading or unloading for a fee. When you pay a lumper, you are generally entitled to be reimbursed. Keep the receipt, because you will need it to get paid back.
Driver assist and special services
If you are asked to help load or unload, or to perform other services beyond driving, those often carry additional pay. The key is agreeing to the charge and documenting the work.
TONU
Truck ordered not used, or TONU, is a charge for when you are dispatched to a load that then gets canceled after you have committed or shown up. It compensates you for the time and fuel spent on a load that fell through.
How to actually get paid
Knowing about these charges is not enough. Collecting them comes down to two things: agreement and documentation. If you do not do both, you will struggle to get paid no matter how justified the charge is.
Get it in the agreement
The best time to secure accessorial pay is before you haul the load. Make sure the rate confirmation addresses detention, layover, and other charges with clear terms. If it does not, ask for it to be added. Vague or missing terms are where disputes come from.
Document everything
Record your arrival and departure times at every stop. Note when you checked in and when you were released. Keep receipts for lumper fees and any expenses. Get signatures or timestamps where you can. This documentation is your proof, and without it, your claim is just your word against theirs.
Communicate and follow up
When a charge applies, notify the broker promptly and submit your documentation with your paperwork. Follow up if payment does not come through. Being professional but persistent is how you actually collect. Many drivers give up too easily and lose money they clearly earned.
Common mistakes
The first mistake is not knowing what you are entitled to, so you never claim it. The second is accepting loads without confirming accessorial terms in the rate con. The third is failing to document your times and expenses, which sinks otherwise valid claims. The fourth is not following up when payment is slow.
The biggest mistake is treating accessorial pay as a bonus rather than money you earned. This is not extra, it is compensation for your time and work. Drivers who claim it consistently make more, and it is often the difference between a load that barely breaks even and one that turns a real profit.
Frequently asked questions
What is detention pay?
Detention pay compensates you for being held at a shipper or receiver beyond a reasonable free window for loading or unloading. It usually accrues per period after the free time expires, but only if it is agreed to and documented on your paperwork.
How do I make sure I get detention pay?
Confirm the detention terms in your rate confirmation before you accept the load, then document your arrival and departure times at the facility. Notify the broker promptly and submit your proof. Without agreed terms and documentation, collecting detention is very difficult.
What is the difference between detention and layover?
Detention is pay for waiting too long during loading or unloading at a facility. Layover is pay for an extended wait, often overnight, because a load is not ready or cannot be delivered on schedule. Both compensate you for lost time but apply to different situations.
Are lumper fees reimbursed?
Usually yes. When you pay a third party to load or unload at a facility, you are generally entitled to reimbursement. Keep the receipt, because you will need it to claim the money back through the broker.
Final takeaway
Accessorial pay is money you have already earned through your time and work, and leaving it on the table quietly shrinks your income. Detention, layover, extra stops, lumper fees, driver assist, and TONU all compensate you for what happens beyond the miles. The keys to collecting are simple but essential: get the terms in your rate confirmation before you haul, document your times and expenses carefully, and follow up professionally. Claim what you are owed on every load, and it adds up to a meaningful difference in what you take home.
