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Detention Calculator — Free Time and Wait Charges

Estimate billable driver wait after free time expires. Enter wait time in hours and minutes (max 24 hours)—and see who likely pays when the dock runs late.

LTL & truckload · Screening estimator · No sign-up · No data stored

How detention and free time work

Free time is a priced clock; detention is what happens when it expires. Clock-start rules, who pays when the customer dock is late, and how to audit waiting-time lines are in Detention Fees and Free Time Explained: Who Pays When the Driver Waits. Appointment fees are a separate charge—see Appointment and Notification Fees in LTL.

FAQ

How does this detention calculator work?

Enter how long the driver waited after the free-time clock started (hours and minutes, max 24 hours), free-time minutes, billing increment, and an hourly rate. The tool computes billable wait after free time, rounds by your increment, estimates detention cost, and offers who-likely-pays guidance from delay cause and prepaid vs collect terms.

What free-time defaults does the tool use?

LTL presets 30 minutes; truckload presets 120 minutes. Override those with your tariff or contract—defaults are orientation only.

Is this a substitute for the carrier invoice?

No. It is a screening estimator. Confirm results against the carrier’s timestamps, free-time rule, and rate before you pay or dispute.