Layover pay is compensation tied to a delay that keeps a truck committed beyond the original operating plan, commonly for a much longer period than ordinary detention and often into another day. The exact trigger and amount are contractual, not universal.

For the carrier, layover matters because a truck can lose an entire block of usable capacity even though the wheels barely move.

What causes a layover?

  • Freight is not ready and the truck is asked to wait until a later day
  • A facility cannot load or unload within the planned service window
  • An appointment is moved after the truck has already committed to the load
  • A receiver or shipper delay holds the truck long enough to disrupt the next operating period

Not every overnight stop is a billable layover. Planned transit, required rest, or a carrier’s own scheduling decision is different from a customer-caused delay covered by an agreed layover term.

How is layover pay calculated?

There is no single national layover rate. Some agreements use a flat daily amount. Others define a specific trigger, cap, or relationship with detention. Verify the terms before assuming what the delay will pay.

Layover vs detention

Detention is usually measured as waiting time at the stop after free time expires. Layover is usually used for the larger scheduling disruption when the truck remains held substantially longer. There is no universal hour at which detention automatically turns into layover. The detention vs layover comparison explains the distinction.

Layover vs TONU

With layover, the truck is generally still being held for the freight or service. With TONU, the ordered truck is no longer used for the planned load. If a shipper says come back tomorrow and the carrier remains committed, layover may be relevant. If the load is canceled after dispatch, TONU may be relevant instead.

The economic cost can be larger than the accessorial

A layover payment may compensate the carrier under the agreement, but it does not recreate the next load, appointment, or market position the truck lost. A flat payment can coexist with a weak overall lane cycle. Repeated layovers therefore belong in account and facility history.

What should the carrier document?

  • Original pickup or delivery appointment
  • Arrival and check-in
  • The time the delay was communicated
  • Instructions to remain or return later
  • Revised appointment or release time
  • Rate confirmation and layover terms
  • Messages authorizing or acknowledging the layover

Layover is one piece of the broader accessorial charge picture. If waiting is still measured in hours rather than a larger scheduling disruption, start with what detention means.