Brokers pay three different charges for wasted time, and drivers mix them up constantly. Bill the wrong one and your claim gets bounced. Here is the difference.
Detention
Detention is for time stuck at a stop beyond your free window. You showed up, you waited, the facility took too long. It is billed per hour after free time and is the most common claim. Full breakdown: what is detention pay.
Layover
Layover is for a full day lost, usually when a facility cannot take you until the next day or your appointment gets pushed. It is billed as a flat daily rate, not per hour. If you are sitting overnight through no fault of your own, that is layover, not detention.
TONU (Truck Order Not Used)
TONU is for a load that falls apart after you have committed. You were dispatched, you showed up or were on your way, and the load got canceled. TONU is a flat fee that covers your time and fuel for showing up to nothing.
A quick table
| Charge | When it applies | How it is billed |
|---|---|---|
| Detention | Held too long at a stop | Per hour after free time |
| Layover | A full day lost | Flat daily rate |
| TONU | Load canceled after you committed | Flat fee |
Why it matters
The rate confirmation usually spells out all three. If you bill detention for what was really a layover, the broker can reject it on a technicality and you start over. Match the charge to what actually happened, point to the clause, and attach your proof.
Not sure which one fits? Log the load in HaulClaim and it sorts the timing for you, then files the right claim and chases the broker. Free for a limited time — you keep 100% of what we recover.