Lost detention pay again because broker said "no proof" — how do you guys document it ?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Michael23547, Apr 20, 2026.

  1. Michael23547

    Michael23547 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 20, 2026
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    Happened again this week. Waited 4+ hours at a receiver, broker refused to pay because my only proof was a handwritten note on the BOL.

    I'm a developer and I've been thinking about building a simple mobile app that automatically tracks detention time via GPS — once you hit 2 hours it generates a PDF invoice with verified timestamps and sends it straight to the broker.

    Before I build anything I want to know if this is actually useful to real drivers.

    How do you currently prove your detention time ? And how much do you estimate you lose per month because of unpaid detention ?

    Appreciate any honest feedback.
     
    chimbotano Thanks this.
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  3. wichris

    wichris Road Train Member

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    Your ELD will show everything you need.
     
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  4. Michael23547

    Michael23547 Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the reply. You're right that ELD captures the data — but how do you actually get that proof to the broker in a format they'll accept ? Do you export a report, send a screenshot ? Most guys I've talked to still end up in a back-and-forth with brokers even with ELD data. What's your actual process ?
     
  5. wichris

    wichris Road Train Member

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    Detail of GPS location and times.

    Why try to make an app when you already have that info?
     
    tscottme, Siinman and Ddh77777 Thank this.
  6. TheLoadOut

    TheLoadOut Road Train Member

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    Delete
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2026
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  7. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    Of fuqing course you are
     
  8. Big Road Skateboard

    Big Road Skateboard Road Train Member

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    This dude ain't even a truck driver
     
    Last edited: Apr 20, 2026
  9. Ddh77777

    Ddh77777 Light Load Member

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    Pretty much everything you could design an app for can be done pretty easily with the tools every truck driver currently possesses, so something like a "detention timer" would be a hard sell at any price.
     
  10. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    There are apps that brokers use already, macro point, and four kites. Unfortunately, some shippers/receivers don't give in and out times.
     
  11. Blu_Ogre

    Blu_Ogre Road Train Member

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    You are creating a solution for a problem that does not exist if the driver is doing their job and making check calls.

    In general brokers and docks assume drivers are incompetent in running the drivers end of the business and exploit that to minimize detention payouts.

    Part of the driver's job is doing arrival and departure check calls to the broker or dispatcher. It is not in the financial best interest of the broker nor the dock to willingly pay detention so the driver must document it in away that will hold up in court. Like with phone records and logging device entries.

    Once the arrival check call is made, It becomes the broker's responsibility to manage the dock. The Driver needs to sufficiently document the times via phone call logs and dot log book so the driver can take all the parties to small claims court.
     
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