Hours of Service rules shape almost every part of a truck driver’s day. Now, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is getting closer to testing whether a little more flexibility can work for drivers without hurting safety.
On August 27, 2026, the FMCSA announced that it had finished pre-tests for two Hours of Service pilot programs. The full programs are planned to launch in 2027.
One important note: these are pilot programs, not rule changes. The current Hours of Service rules stay the same for everyone who isn’t part of the study.
The Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program
Under today’s rules, drivers can only split their 10 hours of off-duty time in a few set ways. The Flexible Sleeper Berth pilot will test a more open approach.
Drivers in the program would be able to split their rest into two periods in any combination, as long as the total is at least 10 hours and one period includes at least five straight hours in the sleeper berth.
The idea is to let drivers match their rest to how their day actually goes, instead of forcing their schedule into a fixed pattern.
The Split Duty Period Pilot Program
The second program looks at the 14-hour driving window. Right now, once that clock starts, it keeps running no matter what happens during the day.
This pilot will test whether drivers can safely pause the 14-hour window for up to three hours a day during qualifying non-driving time. That could include off-duty time, sleeper berth time, or time spent waiting at a pickup or delivery location.
For drivers, that could mean less pressure when they get stuck in traffic, wait out bad weather, or sit at a dock longer than planned. The FMCSA also said it will keep an eye on shippers during the pilot to make sure the added flexibility doesn’t lead to longer detention times.
What happens next
The pre-tests were small, with nine drivers from three carriers in each program. The FMCSA is now reviewing the results to fine-tune the programs before the 2027 launch.
When the full pilots start, each one is expected to include 256 drivers, for a total of 512 participants. Drivers will take part for four months and can earn up to $1,600 for completing all study tasks. Drivers and carriers who want to learn more or take part can send their contact information to pilots@dot.gov.
Why it matters
Anyone who has worked in trucking knows that the clock doesn’t always match real life. Delays at docks, traffic, and weather can eat into a driver’s available hours fast.
These pilots won’t change the rules overnight, but they will give the FMCSA real data from real drivers. That data could shape how Hours of Service rules look in the future.
At CW Carriers, we’ll be following these programs closely. Anything that helps drivers manage their time better and stay safe on the road is good news for the whole industry.
