Flexible hours-of-service pilot programs were announced as part of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the launch of two bold new pilot programs aimed at improving the working conditions and quality of life for America’s truck drivers. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will study increased flexibility in the current hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, which will help determine if providing drivers with greater control over their own schedule will reduce fatigue and improve safety.
“Truck drivers are the backbone of our economy, and we owe it to them to explore smarter, data-driven policies that make their jobs safer and more enjoyable,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “These pilot programs will help identify real solutions for America’s drivers without compromising safety.”
- Split Duty Period pilot program: This will allow participating drivers to pause their 14-hour “driving window” for no less than 30 minutes and no more than three hours. The program seeks to collect data and assess whether added flexibility can maintain or improve safety outcomes.
- Flexible Sleeper Berth pilot program: This will explore additional sleeper berth split options beyond the current “8/2” and “7/3” configurations. FMCSA will test the safety implications of allowing drivers to divide their 10-hour off-duty requirement into “6/4” and “5/5” split periods. The research will examine how these alternatives affect driver fatigue and overall safety performance in order to determine whether a wider range of rest options could benefit both drivers and the motoring public.
Additional Information:
The pilot programs are part of the Department’s Pro-Trucker Package, unveiled in June by Secretary Duffy in support of President Trump’s Executive Order 14286, Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers. The wide-ranging package includes millions of dollars in investments for expanded truck parking, modernized driver resources, commonsense regulatory reforms to eliminate one-size-fits-all mandates, and efforts to crack down on bad actors.
Register notices for both the Split Duty Period pilot program and the Flexible Sleeper Berth pilot program are available for review. The notices invite public comment and provide additional details. FMCSA will carefully review all submissions.
Protocol development for both pilot programs will begin in early 2026, with more than 500 commercial truck drivers expected to participate in the efforts.
McCraren Compliance can help you understand and comply with FMCSA, USDOT and ADOT and ensure your drivers and your vehicles operate safely and efficiently.
Call us Today at 888-758-4757 or email us at info@mccrarencompliance.com to schedule your free FMCSA Compliance Assessment.
Original article published by USDOT