Big news for truckers!

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has announced two new pilot programs that could give drivers more flexibility with their Hours-of-Service (HOS). Both programs will launch in 2026 and involve hundreds of CDL drivers across the country.

1. Split Duty Period Pilot ProgramThis program would let drivers pause their 14-hour on-duty clock for 30 minutes up to 3 hours.

Imagine being stuck at a shipper or in heavy traffic — instead of burning through your hours, you could “pause” the clock and get that time back.

The goal is to see if this makes scheduling more realistic and reduces driver fatigue.

2. Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot ProgramRight now, drivers can split their 10 hours off-duty into 8/2 or 7/3. This pilot would test new splits like 6/4 or 5/5.

This means you’d have more control over when you rest.

Researchers want to see if these new splits improve sleep quality and safety without increasing risk.

Why This MattersMore control over breaks and rest periods.

Less stress from rigid HOS rules.

Potential to cut down on unsafe “beat the clock” driving.

What’s NextThe FMCSA will open a public comment period soon. Then, pilot programs begin development in early 2026. If successful, these studies could lead to permanent HOS rule changes in the future.

Bottom line: These programs could bring much-needed flexibility to truckers’ schedules while keeping safety first.