HOS Flexibility Pilot: Testing 6/4 and 5/5 Sleeper Splits

Could 5/5 Sleeper Splits Become Legal?

The FMCSA has officially launched its 2026 HOS Flexibility Pilot Program. This research study involves hundreds of long-haul drivers who have been granted special waivers to test more flexible rest patterns.

What is being tested? Currently, drivers are mostly restricted to an 8/2 or 7/3 split. This pilot allows for:

6/4 Splits: Six hours in the berth, four hours off.

5/5 Splits: Two equal blocks of five hours.

The goal is to see if shorter, more frequent rest periods better match the natural circadian rhythms of over-the-road drivers. If the safety data remains positive through the end of 2026, we may see a formal proposal to change the national Hours of Service rules in 2027.