Let’s face it, the split sleeper berth rule can feel like a puzzle. But once you understand how to use it, it’s one of the most powerful tools you have for managing your day and keeping your fleet moving efficiently.
So, what is the split-sleeper berth exception? At its core, it’s an FMCSA provision that lets you break up your mandatory 10-hour off-duty period into two separate, qualifying breaks. Instead of being forced to shut down for 10 hours straight, you gain the flexibility to work around shipper delays, bad traffic, or just when you’re feeling tired.
Understanding The Split Sleeper Berth Exception
Think of the split sleeper provision as a way to pause your 14-hour clock. It’s designed to give you more control, helping you adapt to the real world of trucking without getting an hours of service violation. For fleet owners, safety manager and drivers, getting this right is key to running an efficient and compliant operation.
The idea is straightforward: take two separate breaks that add up to at least 10 hours. This simple concept is a game-changer for hitting tight delivery windows and dodging rush-hour gridlock. When used correctly, your fleet stays compliant while getting more done!
How the Rules Have Evolved
The split sleeper berth rules you see today are much more flexible than they used to be. The big change came in 2020 when the FMCSA introduced the 8/2 split sleeper berth option. This was a huge improvement over the more limited 7/3 split.
Why was it such a big deal? Because the new rule allows both breaks to pause the 14-hour on-duty clock and provides the ability to make the required short break shorter. That’s a massive advantage when you’re trying to manage unexpected delays.
This update wasn’t random; it was a direct result of feedback from the trucking community. The goal was to make rest breaks more effective without forcing you to lose valuable drive time.
This shift from the original 2005 regulations shows that the FMCSA is trying to find a better balance between safety and the practical demands of the job. Understanding this history helps make sense of why these options exist and how you can best use them.
Split Sleeper Berth Options at a Glance
To make it easier to see the differences, here’s a quick breakdown of the two primary split sleeper options available to you.
| Provision | Break 1 (Sleeper Berth) | Break 2 (Off-Duty or SB) | Impact on 14-Hour Clock |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7/3 Split | ≥7 consecutive hours in sleeper | ≥3 consecutive hours off-duty and/or sleeper (any order) | Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window |
| 8/2 Split | ≥8 consecutive hours in sleeper | ≥2 consecutive hours off-duty and/or sleeper | Neither period counts against the 14-hour driving window |
In both cases: The two periods must total ≥10 hours.
When paired, neither period counts against the 14-hour window.
After pairing, 11- and 14-hour limits are recalculated from the end of the first qualifying period.
Splits can shift your available time by excluding rest from the 14, but they can’t create more than 11 hours to drive.
Split Sleeper Berth Legal Basics (What’s Actually Allowed)
You may use either of these splits, in any order:
- 8/2 split: one period of ≥8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a second period of ≥2 consecutive hours off-duty and/or sleeper.
- 7/3 split: one period of ≥7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth, plus a second period of ≥3 consecutive hours off-duty and/or sleeper.
Together, the two qualifying periods must total at least 10 hours.
When properly paired, neither qualifying period counts against the 14-hour window.
The 11-hour limit is a hard cap on total driving between calculation anchors. Off-duty time (including splits) doesn’t “give back” driving you’ve already used.
Plain English: splits can shift your available time by excluding rest from the 14, but they can’t create more than 11 hours to drive.
How Availability Is Recalculated After a Split Pair
After you complete the second qualifying period, your available time is recalculated this way:
- Remaining driving = 11 hours minus the driving you did between the end of the first qualifying period and the start of the second.
- Remaining on-duty = 14 hours minus the total on-duty (driving + on-duty not driving) you accumulated between those same two points.
Many ELDs only show the “pause” after you complete the second period. That’s normal—train drivers not to panic if the screen doesn’t credit the pause until the pair is complete!
Because neither break counts against your on-duty limit, you have to be on top of your time tracking. Logging these periods correctly is essential, and having a solid grasp of your HOS supporting documents ensures you have the proof you need if an inspector comes knocking.
The 30-Minute Break (and Splits)
After 8 hours of cumulative driving, you need a 30-minute consecutive break in any non-driving duty status (off-duty, sleeper, or on-duty-not-driving).
Either side of a split can satisfy the 30 if it includes 30 consecutive minutes with no driving and you take it before hitting 8 hours of drive time since your last qualifying break.
Use the 7/3 or 8/2 Split Strategically
The smartest way to leverage the 7/3 sleeper berth split is by taking your shorter break first. Picture this: you’re stuck at a shipper with a long, frustrating wait time. Instead of burning your 14-hour clock, you can take a 2 or 3-hour off-duty break right there. This effectively freezes your clock.
Once you’re finally loaded, you can get back on the road and take your 7-hour sleeper berth break later on.
After both breaks are complete, your available hours are recalculated from the end of the first break. This is where a good ELD or a dedicated split sleeper berth calculator (See Below) becomes your best friend. It does the math for you, eliminating the risk of a simple mistake that could lead to a violation. Using the 8/2 split or 7/3 split correctly can give you the wiggle room to avoid sticky situations, like needing to use the 16-hour short-haul exception. Regardless of how you chose to split your sleeper berth time, having an ELD from one of our top 5 electronic logging device companies is critical to help ensure compliance here.
Split Sleeper Berth Examples in Action
Knowing the rules is one thing, but seeing them work in the real world makes all the difference. Let’s walk through some practical split sleeper berth examples to show you exactly how the calculations work for both the 7/3 and 8/2 provisions. This should help clear things up and prevent some of the most common logging mistakes.
Think of it like this: your 14-hour clock is a countdown timer for your workday. The split sleeper berth exception is your secret weapon, letting you strategically pause or reset that timer to handle whatever the road throws at you.
Example 1: 7/3 Split (Short Break First to Cover a Delay)
Let’s say your day starts at 7:00 AM. You get on duty, drive for a bit, and then run into the classic delay at a receiver.
- Drive 3h → 07:00–10:00
- 3h off-duty at shipper → 10:00–13:00 (this will be the short side split)
- Drive 5h → 13:00–18:00
- 7h sleeper → 18:00–01:00 (now the pair is complete)
Recalculate at 01:00:
- Between 13:00 and 18:00, you drove 5h and had 5h on-duty.
- Remaining driving = 11 − 5 = 6h.
- Remaining on-duty = 14 − 5 = 9h (i.e., on-duty available until 10:00).
Why drivers love the split sleeper berth: Taking the short break first can “cover” a shipper delay without burning the your 14 hour clock, once you finish the longer 7h Sleeper berth period later.
Example 2: The 8/2 Split Scenario
Scenario: Start 06:00
- Drive 5h → 06:00–11:00
- 2h off-duty (short side of split) → 11:00–13:00
- Drive 4h → 13:00–17:00
- 8h sleeper (long side of split) → 17:00–01:00
When you finish the 8h SB at 01:00, the periods pair and both are excluded from the 14. Now recalculated:
- Between 13:00 and 17:00, you drove 4h and had 4h on-duty total.
- Remaining driving after 01:00 = 11 − 4 = 7h.
- Remaining on-duty after 01:00 = 14 − 4 = 10h (so you can be on duty until 11:00, assuming no new split starts).
Key takeaways:
- The 11-hour cap didn’t “reset”—you still only have 7h left to drive after the pair.
- The 14-hour window effectively gives you back the 2h + 8h you spent resting, because those hours don’t count once paired.
Here’s another visual example of the 8/2 split and the 7/3 split showing how the breaks might look on your 14 hour clock:
The Future of HOS: The FMCSA Split Sleeper Berth Pilot Program
The rules of the road are always changing, and the current split sleeper berth rules are no different. The FMCSA split sleeper berth rules aren’t set in stone, and the agency is actively exploring ways to give you even more flexibility, which is good news for your fleet.
A new split sleeper berth pilot program is being planned by the FMCSA to study the effects of more balanced splits in 2026. This program will gather the hard data needed to see if options like 6/4 and 5/5 splits can improve your well-being and fight fatigue without compromising safety.
Studying New Possibilities
The main goal here is to get some hard data. Before making any big changes, the FMCSA wants to see exactly how these different splits affect driver alertness, fatigue, and overall safety out on the road.
This pilot program didn’t come out of nowhere; it’s a direct response to years of feedback from drivers and carriers who just want more say over their own schedules. According to industry reports, many feel that more even splits could better align with natural sleep cycles and reduce fatigue. The study will track hundreds of drivers using these alternative splits to measure the real-world impact.
While the industry is hopeful, the agency has been clear: they won’t roll out new rules unless the data shows there’s no negative hit to safety. It’s a classic balancing act between operational needs and the agency’s core mission of keeping the roads safe. If the study data is positive, the 7/3 and 8/2 splits might one day be just two of several options you can use.
Keeping an eye on these potential changes is smart for any long-term planning. To stay on top of the latest regulatory news, make sure you check out our breakdown of the most recent FMCSA Hours of Service changes. This ongoing conversation between the trucking industry and regulators is a great sign for the future of HOS.
Frequently Asked Questions About Split Sleeper Berth Rules
What is the split sleeper berth rule?
The split sleeper berth rule is an FMCSA exception that allows you to split your mandatory 10-hour off-duty period into two separate qualifying rest periods. The two most common options are the 8/2 split and the 7/3 split. This provides greater flexibility to manage your on-duty and driving time.
What is the main difference between the 8/2 and 7/3 splits?
Both are legal split-sleeper options that exclude qualifying rest from the 14-hour window when paired, and neither adds to the 11-hour driving cap. The difference is how the 10 hours are divided: 8/2 requires ≥8 hours sleeper + ≥2 hours off-duty/sleeper; 7/3 requires ≥7 hours sleeper + ≥3 hours off-duty/sleeper. Operationally, 7/3 gives a longer short break to cover delays, while 8/2 provides a longer sleeper block.
Does the shorter break have to be in the sleeper berth?
No. The longer rest period (7 or 8 hours) must be taken in the sleeper berth. However, the shorter break (2 or 3 hours) can be logged as sleeper berth, off-duty, or a combination of the two, as long as it is a consecutive block of time.
How does the split sleeper berth provision affect my 11-hour driving limit?
Using the sleeper berth split correctly resets both your 11-hour driving limit and your 14-hour on-duty window. After you complete both qualifying rest periods, your available hours are recalculated from the end of the first rest period.
Can I use a 6/4 or 5/5 split sleeper berth?
Currently, no. The only legally approved options under standard HOS rules are the 7/3 and 8/2 splits. However, the FMCSA is planning a new split sleeper berth pilot program to study the safety and effectiveness of more flexible splits like 6/4 and 5/5 for potential future rulemaking.
Can I use personal conveyance during a split sleeper break?
Yes. PC is off-duty time. It may be used as part of the short 2h/3h side if the movement meets PC criteria (driver relieved from work/responsibility; not furthering the business). PC cannot substitute for the ≥7-hour sleeper segment. Carriers can set stricter internal policies, so be sure to train drivers accordingly. For more on resetting your clock, check out our guide on the 34-hour reset rule.
Does split sleeper add more driving time?
No. It excludes rest from the 14 (once paired) but never increases the 11 total driving cap.
Can the short side be off-duty instead of sleeper?
Yes. The short side (2h or 3h) can be off-duty and/or sleeper. The long side must be sleeper only (≥7h or ≥8h).
Can I start another split right away?
Yes. When you begin a new split pair, the calculation anchor moves to the end of the new first qualifying period.
Can a split satisfy my 30-minute break?
Yes—if it includes 30 consecutive minutes of no driving and you take it before reaching 8 hours of drive time since your last qualifying break.
What’s the advantage of 7/3 vs. 8/2?
Operationally, 7/3 gives more flexibility because the short side is 3h (easier to cover longer delays) while still excluding time from the 14 once paired—same as 8/2.
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