Feds Test Letting Truckers Split Naptime in Sleeper Berths
Published Date: 10/7/2026
Notice
Summary
The FMCSA is launching a pilot program to see if truck drivers can split their required rest time in the sleeper berth to improve their work-life balance without risking safety. About 256 drivers will join this study, which could lead to more flexible driving rules. Comments on this plan are open until December 7, 2026, and the results might change how drivers manage their hours, possibly saving time and boosting safety.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Pilot lets drivers split sleeper time to 5 hours
You may be allowed to split your required 10 hours off-duty into a shorter consecutive sleeper-berth period: the FSB pilot exempts the longer period to a minimum of 5 consecutive hours, allowing splits such as 5/5 or 6/4 (any split between) to obtain the equivalent of 10 hours off-duty.
Study could prompt broader rule changes
FMCSA states the pilot study could lead to more-flexible driving rules: data from the 256-driver, 16-week study will be used to assess whether flexible sleeper-berth (FSB) exemptions achieve an equivalent or greater level of safety relative to current hours-of-service regulations, and results could change how drivers manage their hours.
Participation requires about 16.7 hours over 16 weeks
If you join the study, about 256 drivers will participate and you will take part for 16 weeks; the Agency estimates 16.68 total hours per respondent over the 16 weeks, with daily responses and an estimated total annual burden of 4,270.92 hours across all respondents.
Strict eligibility limits who may join
Only drivers and carriers meeting specific criteria may participate: carriers must have interstate authority, minimum financial responsibility (49 CFR part 387, if applicable), not be high/moderate risk, have no "Unsatisfactory" safety rating, no FMCSA enforcement actions within the past 3 years, and not have driver or vehicle out-of-service (OOS) rates above the National average; drivers in the Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse or with license suspension/revocation/disqualification within the prior 2 years are ineligible, and drivers must hold a valid commercial driver's license and a valid medical certificate while participating.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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