FMCSA Will Launch Truck Pilot Programs in 2027
The agency will test new hours-of-service rules to determine if increased flexibility can maintain driver safety.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Trucks
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will launch two full-scale pilot programs in 2027 to study how flexible scheduling impacts trucking safety. The initiative follows successful pre-tests conducted in 2026.
Why it matters
The agency seeks to test if providing drivers with more autonomy over their rest periods and duty hours will improve safety performance across the trucking industry.
The full pilot programs will feature 256 drivers participating over a four-month duration, with each participant receiving $1,600 upon completion. This follows a pre-test where nine drivers were compensated $600 each for their roles.
The players
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
This is the primary U.S. federal agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of the commercial motor vehicle industry.
The details
The Flexible Sleeper Berth program will allow drivers to split their 10-hour off-duty period, provided at least five consecutive hours are taken. The Split Duty Period program allows drivers to pause a 14-hour driving window for up to three hours by remaining in a non-driving status.
Timeline
September 2025: The agency announced the pilot programs.
April 1 to June 11, 2026: Flexible Sleeper Berth pre-test occurred.
May 18 to July 17, 2026: Split Duty Period pre-test occurred.
August 27, 2026: The agency released an update on program progress.
2027: The full launch of the pilot programs is scheduled to begin.
Roadmap
These pilots signal a shift in how federal regulators approach long-standing hours-of-service mandates by prioritizing driver-led scheduling autonomy. The move reflects an industry-wide push to modernize traditional regulations to better fit the realities of long-haul freight operations.
Drivers participating in the 2027 pilots will receive compensation of $1,600 for completing the four-month study. The program also includes active monitoring of shippers to ensure that increased scheduling flexibility does not lead to driver exploitation.
The takeaway
These pilot programs represent a major attempt to modernize rigid trucking schedules while maintaining road safety standards. If successful, the findings could fundamentally reshape how commercial drivers manage their rest and driving hours moving forward.
Further reading
For additional context on regulatory changes in the freight industry, visit the Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Trucking Dive.
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