FMCSA Announces Pilot Programs to Enhance Hours-of-Service Flexibility
In September 2025, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy introduced two pilot programs during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. The goal is to explore data-driven policies that provide drivers with greater control over their schedules, potentially leading to safer and more enjoyable work conditions.
So, what exactly do these programs mean for truckers? Let’s check it out.
Split Duty Period Pilot Program
Under current HOS rules, commercial drivers operate within a 14-hour "driving window" that begins once they start their workday. The Split Duty Period pilot will allow participants to pause this window for a minimum of 30 minutes and up to three hours.
The idea behind this pilot is simple: giving drivers more control over when they take breaks can reduce fatigue and make long days on the road more manageable. Instead of forcing rest at arbitrary times, drivers can take meaningful pauses when their bodies and minds actually need it.
FMCSA will carefully monitor how this added flexibility affects safety, driver alertness, and overall performance. Approximately 256 commercial drivers will be chosen to participate in the program, providing the agency with enough data to evaluate whether this approach could improve safety outcomes without compromising regulatory standards.
Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program
The Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program is focused on giving drivers more control over their mandatory off-duty periods. Right now, truckers are limited to either an "8/2" or "7/3" split of their 10-hour off-duty requirement, meaning they spend eight or seven hours in their sleeper berth followed by a shorter two- or three-hour break.
Under this pilot, FMCSA will test new split options, including "6/4" and "5/5" configurations. This allows drivers to rest for six hours and then take an additional four-hour break, or divide their time evenly into two five-hour periods. The goal is to determine whether this flexibility can help reduce fatigue, improve alertness, and enhance overall safety on the road.
A selected group of drivers will participate under controlled conditions. FMCSA will closely monitor safety outcomes, track fatigue levels, and collect data to determine whether these new options lead to better performance and a safer highway environment.
Program Details and Participation
Each pilot program, as proposed, would be limited to approximately 256 participating drivers. The 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.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy emphasized the importance of these initiatives, stating, "These pilot programs will help identify real solutions for America’s drivers without compromising safety."
Right now, FMCSA is inviting public input on these proposed programs. The comment period is open until November 17, 2025, and drivers, carriers, and industry groups are strongly encouraged to share their thoughts. This is a real opportunity for those on the front lines to help shape how these programs will ultimately work and ensure they reflect the needs of the people actually behind the wheel.
