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FMCSA Moves Forward With Split Sleeper Berth Pilot Program

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is advancing plans to test revised split sleeper berth requirements that could grant drivers greater flexibility in managing mandatory daily off-duty time.

FMCSA opened information collection activities this week to evaluate whether alternative rest period splits would maintain safety standards. The agency is exploring 5-5 and 6-4 splits, which would require reducing the minimum sleeper berth period to five hours from seven.

The pilot program will recruit up to 256 volunteer drivers. Each driver will receive $1,600 for participation. Current regulations allow drivers to split their required 10 hours of off-duty time into configurations including 8-2 or 7-3 splits.

The initiative stems from a Trump administration executive order issued in April 2025. That order directed transportation officials to identify actions improving working conditions for truckers. FMCSA previously opened public comment on the proposal in September 2025.