The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is moving forward with long-discussed pilot projects that will examine whether truck drivers should be given more flexibility in how they take federally required rest breaks under hours-of-service (HOS) regulations.
The two initiatives, known as the Split Duty Period Pilot Program and the Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program are part of the department’s recently announced Pro-Trucker Package. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy introduced the measures in direct response to an executive order from President Trump, which directed federal agencies to review and improve policies impacting truck drivers.
At present, HOS rules permit a commercial truck driver to drive up to 11 hours after taking 10 consecutive hours off duty, and no more than 10 hours following eight consecutive hours off duty. In addition, drivers are prohibited from operating beyond a 14-hour window after coming on duty, even if part of that period was spent resting. Importantly, off-duty time does not extend that 14-hour limit, according to FMCSA guidance.
Duffy unveiled the start of the pilot programs during a stop at the Molly Pitcher service plaza on the New Jersey Turnpike.
“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,” Duffy said on September 15 during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. “These pilot programs will help identify real solutions for America’s drivers without compromising safety.”
The announcement reflects a continuation of Trump administration efforts to ease federal requirements for the trucking industry and provide drivers with more flexibility on the road.
Current Sleeper Berth Rules and Planned Adjustments
At the moment, HOS regulations allow cargo-hauling drivers to divide their required 10-hour off-duty period into two segments, provided that one period is at least seven consecutive hours in the sleeper berth and the other is at least two consecutive hours, either off duty or in the sleeper berth.
The Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program will test additional options for dividing this 10-hour break. Participating drivers will be allowed to experiment with different splits such as 6/4 or 5/5, instead of being limited to the traditional 7/3 arrangement.
“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,” DOT explained. “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.”
The Split Duty Period Pilot
The second project, called the Split Duty Period Pilot Program, is designed to test whether drivers should be allowed to pause their 14-hour on-duty clock for a break lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours.
Supporters of the initiative believe this flexibility would let drivers rest during traffic jams, bad weather, or other interruptions without sacrificing valuable drive time. FMCSA will collect and analyze safety data to evaluate whether this option improves or undermines road safety.
Background and Industry Input
The concept of modifying HOS rest breaks has been discussed for years. FMCSA initially proposed a study in 2013 and again requested public input in 2017, during Trump’s first term. A 2019 request for information drew nearly 2,780 comments, followed by an additional 255 comments in 2020.
Industry feedback has long been mixed: many drivers and carriers have argued for more rest flexibility, while some safety groups and labor advocates have raised concerns that looser rules could be misused, leading to longer working days and increased fatigue.
Still, with a national driver shortage and growing pressure to move freight efficiently, the government is continuing to explore solutions that balance productivity with safety.
Support from Industry Leaders
Joining Secretary Duffy at the New Jersey announcement were several industry leaders, including Rebecca Oyler, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, Chris Lutick, acting executive director of the New Jersey Motor Truck Association, and members of the NJMTA executive board.
Also present was UPS driver and America’s Road Team captain Bernie Wanyo, who recognized Duffy with a Captain’s Challenge coin in appreciation of the administration’s recent efforts to support drivers.
What’s Next
DOT officials said details for both pilot programs will be finalized by early next year, with roughly 500 truck drivers expected to take part in the studies.
The projects are being launched under President Trump’s executive order, “Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America’s Truck Drivers,” which was signed in April. The order directs DOT to pursue new administrative and regulatory actions aimed at improving working conditions for America’s truck drivers.
Why It Matters
If proven effective, these programs could bring meaningful changes to driver scheduling by:
- Allowing drivers to manage their rest in a way that aligns with natural sleep cycles.
- Offering greater flexibility during delays or unpredictable conditions.
- Potentially enhancing both safety and driver quality of life.
The findings of these pilot projects could influence future FMCSA rulemakings, shaping the next era of hours-of-service regulations.
