The FMCSA has proposed a pilot program that will allow participating truck drivers to choose how they split their sleeper berth time, within guidelines.
The FMCSA’s “Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program” would free drivers from the requirement to spend eight hours in a row in the sleeper berth and give them more freedom to choose how to spend their time resting.
Pilot Program Allows Truckers To Split Sleeper Berth Time Into Two Segments Of Their Choosing
From the FMCSA:
“Current regulations allow drivers to use one 10 hour period, or splits of 9 and 1 hours or 8 and 2 hours. Drivers operating under the exemption for this study would be allowed to use any combination of split sleeper periods, totaling 10 hours, with neither period being less than 3 hours, allowing for the driver to use splits of 3 and 7 hours, 4 and 6 hours, or two 5 hour periods. Following study enrollment, drivers would be able to use split or consolidated sleep schedules as they choose (within study parameters), but they must still meet the daily minimum rest requirements.”
Drivers participating in the study must still abide by the 11 hour driving limit, the 14 hour duty limit, 34 hour restart break, and the 30 minute breaks requirement.
Drivers Can Earn Up To $600 For Participating In Pilot Program
The pilot program is expected to include about 200 truck drivers. Participating drivers can earn up to $600 for completing the program.
The FMCSA believes that highway safety will not be negatively impacted by split sleeper berth time and could actually improve: “The majority of sleep studies to date demonstrate that well-timed split sleep has either a positive or no effect on subsequent neurobehavioral performance. This supports the theory that the restorative effects of sleep on performance may be maintained when splitting total sleep time into multiple segments.”
Drivers or carriers who are interested in participating in the Flexible Sleeper Berth Pilot Program can click here to learn more or to enroll.
You can read more about the Pilot Program in the document below.
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