FMCSA is looking for 18 commercial drivers to help the agency test and fine-tune two upcoming hours-of-service (HOS) pilot programs before they roll out more broadly. The pre-testing phase will run for six weeks and is designed to make sure the research plan, training materials, and data collection tools are clear, practical, and ready for real-world use.
FMCSA says the two pilot efforts are the Flexible Sleeper Berth pilot and the Split Duty Period pilot. The agency’s stated goal is to test alternatives to current HOS requirements that could give drivers more flexibility and improve working conditions, while maintaining the same or higher level of safety.
FMCSA is working with researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to design and run these pilots. The agency says this six-week pre-test is meant to vet the research design and catch problems early, before a larger pilot rollout.
The purpose is to see how these alternative splits work in day-to-day operations and whether the study tools capture the information needed in a way that makes sense for drivers and researchers.
FMCSA describes that pause as a break of at least 30 minutes and up to a maximum of 3 hours. The extra break could be taken either off-duty or in the sleeper berth in any location, or on-duty (not driving) at the location of a cargo pickup or delivery.
This pilot is aimed at exploring whether a pause option could provide more real-world flexibility in situations where drivers lose time due to shipper/receiver delays, traffic, or other operational realities.
Drivers who want to apply are being directed to complete an online screening questionnaire for the pilot that fits their driving pattern.
If you are a driver and would like to apply to participate in the limited pre-testing, visit FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service webpage or follow the links below.
Flexible Sleeper Berth Online Screening Questionnaire
Split Duty Period Online Screening Questionnaire
FMCSA says the two pilot efforts are the Flexible Sleeper Berth pilot and the Split Duty Period pilot. The agency’s stated goal is to test alternatives to current HOS requirements that could give drivers more flexibility and improve working conditions, while maintaining the same or higher level of safety.
FMCSA is working with researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to design and run these pilots. The agency says this six-week pre-test is meant to vet the research design and catch problems early, before a larger pilot rollout.
Pilot Program 1: Flexible Sleeper Berth
For the Flexible Sleeper Berth pre-test, FMCSA says it needs nine drivers who already use split sleeper berth options, specifically the 8/2 or 7/3 split. The agency is prioritizing drivers who are willing to regularly test new split options, including 6/4 and 5/5, during the six-week period.The purpose is to see how these alternative splits work in day-to-day operations and whether the study tools capture the information needed in a way that makes sense for drivers and researchers.
Pilot Program 2: Split Duty Period
For the Split Duty Period pre-test, FMCSA says it needs nine drivers whose work schedules regularly push them close to the end of the 14-hour driving window. These drivers would test an option that allows them to pause that 14-hour window for an additional break.FMCSA describes that pause as a break of at least 30 minutes and up to a maximum of 3 hours. The extra break could be taken either off-duty or in the sleeper berth in any location, or on-duty (not driving) at the location of a cargo pickup or delivery.
This pilot is aimed at exploring whether a pause option could provide more real-world flexibility in situations where drivers lose time due to shipper/receiver delays, traffic, or other operational realities.
Who Should Consider Signing Up
FMCSA is specifically looking for drivers who match the two pilot profiles described above and who can commit to the six-week pre-testing period. This phase is limited and is intended to shape the final pilot setup before it goes wider.Drivers who want to apply are being directed to complete an online screening questionnaire for the pilot that fits their driving pattern.
If you are a driver and would like to apply to participate in the limited pre-testing, visit FMCSA’s Hours-of-Service webpage or follow the links below.
Flexible Sleeper Berth Online Screening Questionnaire
Split Duty Period Online Screening Questionnaire
