Federal Register #FMCSA-2026-2081

FMCSA Seeks Comments on a 256-Driver Hours-of-Service Pilot Study

FMCSA is seeking public comments on a proposed pilot study of commercial motor vehicle drivers, not soliciting products or services. - Government agency: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), U.S. Department of Transportation; no specific sub-agency office is identified. - Study scope: Approximately 256 drivers will be studied to compare current hours-of-service rules with split-duty-period exemptions. - Proposed exemption: Drivers may be able to pause the 14-hour driving window for up to three hours while off duty, in a sleeper berth, or on duty but not driving at a cargo pickup or delivery location. - Data collection: Surveys, psychomotor vigilance tests, sleepiness ratings, wrist actigraphy, records of duty status, and non-intrusive telematics. - Named organization: Virginia Tech Transportation Institute is identified as collecting records-of-duty-status information. No OEMs, product vendors, or products are identified. - Participation period: Drivers are expected to participate for 16 weeks. Safety and eligibility requirements apply.

Description

FMCSA invites public comments on a new information collection for a study of whether allowing commercial motor vehicle drivers to pause their 14-hour driving window improves working conditions and quality of life while providing an equivalent or greater level of safety. The study will examine up to three hours of off-duty, sleeper-berth, or on-duty/not-driving time taken at a cargo pickup or delivery location, comparing operations under current hours-of-service regulations with split duty period exemptions. Approximately 256 drivers will participate for 16 weeks and provide data through surveys, vigilance tests, sleepiness ratings, wrist actigraphy, records of duty status, and telematics. Comments are due December 7, 2026.

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