FMCSA Moves Two Hours-of-Service Pilot Programs Toward 2027 Launch

What FMCSA Announced

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced on August 27, 2026, that pre-testing is complete for two Hours of Service research programs: the Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program and the Split Duty Period Pilot Program. FMCSA says the larger pilots are being prepared for a 2027 launch.

This announcement does not change the Hours of Service rules for drivers generally. The alternatives described below will apply only to drivers formally accepted into an FMCSA pilot program and operating under its exemption. Drivers who are not enrolled must continue following the current federal HOS rules.

Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot

The first pilot will examine alternative ways to divide the required sleeper-berth rest period. Participating drivers may be allowed to split qualifying rest into two periods in any combination, as long as the periods total at least 10 hours and one period includes at least five consecutive hours in the sleeper berth.

That could include arrangements such as a 5/5 or 6/4 split for eligible participants. The goal is to study whether additional flexibility helps drivers match rest to traffic, weather, loading schedules, and personal sleep needs without reducing safety.

FMCSA pre-tested the procedures from April 1 through June 11, 2026. Nine drivers from three carriers in Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin participated for six weeks. The pre-test was intended to evaluate enrollment, data collection, and study procedures before the larger program begins.

Split Duty Period Pilot

The second pilot will study whether a qualifying pause of up to three hours can safely stop the 14-hour driving-window clock for participating property-carrying drivers. Qualifying periods may include off-duty time, sleeper-berth time, or certain on-duty, non-driving time at a pickup or delivery location.

FMCSA says the flexibility could help participants wait out traffic or severe weather, account for detention time, or take a meaningful break without automatically losing the same amount of time from the driving window. The agency also says it will monitor shippers to determine whether the flexibility contributes to additional detention or driver exploitation.

This pre-test ran from May 18 through July 17, 2026. It also involved nine drivers from three carriers, located in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Ohio.

Who May Participate in 2027

FMCSA expects each expanded pilot to include 256 drivers, for a combined total of 512 participants. The agency says selected drivers will participate for four months and may receive up to $1,600 for completing all study tasks.

Eligibility will differ between the programs. For example, the sleeper-berth study is designed for property-carrying drivers who regularly use a sleeper berth, while the split-duty study focuses on property-carrying operations and the 14-hour window. Being interested does not authorize a driver to use either alternative.

Drivers and carriers interested in future participation can send contact information to pilots@dot.gov to receive updates from FMCSA. Enrollment details and final participation requirements should come directly from the agency.

What CDL Drivers Should Do Now

1. Continue using the current HOS and sleeper-berth rules unless FMCSA formally enrolls you in a pilot.
2. Do not treat a news report, carrier memo, or application as permission to pause the 14-hour clock.
3. Keep accurate records of duty status and know how your ELD records qualifying rest periods.
4. If you are considering participation, review the official notices and discuss operational requirements with your carrier.
5. Study the difference between driving time, on-duty time, off-duty time, and sleeper-berth time before making any scheduling decision.

The pilots could eventually inform future rulemaking, but the 2027 studies must first collect and analyze safety and fatigue data. Until FMCSA announces a broader regulatory change, the current rules remain the standard for drivers outside the research programs.

Review CDL practice tests, inspection preparation, and the full question bank as part of a complete safety study plan.