What is the Split Sleeper Berth Rule?

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, drivers have up to 14 hours of on-duty time daily to get in 11 hours of drive time, after which the driver must have 10 hours of off-duty time before being on-duty again. Because this can create problems with on-time delivery, the FMCSA has added the split sleeper rule to allow drivers to pause the clock by taking a split break totaling 10 hours, provided that one is a minimum of 7 hours and the other is a minimum of 2 hours. The two breaks must total 10 hours, and in the past, only an 8/2 split was allowed. However, in 2020, the system was changed to include a 7/3 split as well. FMCSA is currently debating adding 6/4 and 5/5 splits, but it has not been added to regulations yet.

Using the Split Sleeper Berth Rule to Maximize Drive Time

When you're working out your route, you can often determine about what times you'll be approaching or driving through major cities. By scheduling your off-duty or sleeper time during these cities' rush hour cycles, you can avoid wasting time sitting in rush hour traffic. For example, if taking a full ten hours off would put you through Atlanta at 6 AM, as rush hour traffic is starting off, you'll waste a lot of time sitting in traffic instead of making miles.

Instead of taking the full ten hours, however, you could do an 8/2 split or a 7/3 split. Using this approach, you could start through Atlanta at 3 or 4 AM, avoiding traffic, and continuing to drive towards Indianapolis, which is about eight hours away. You could then take your shorter break of 2 or three hours to pass through Indianapolis after their rush hour, allowing you to avoid spending time wasting fuel and making more money on the open road.

Differences Between 7/3 and 8/2 Split Sleeper Approaches

The 7/3 Split Sleeper

If you mostly run between larger cities, especially on the coasts, you may want to use a 7/3 split to your schedule to take your downtime during rush hour outside these cities, which often lasts around three to four hours. Similarly, if you do well with shorter sleep periods and can catch up during short naps during your shorter break, this may be a great approach to consider.

The 8/2 Split Sleeper Approach

The 8/2 approach works a little better if you do a lot of long-distance and Midwestern runs that have a lot of space between major cities. In these cases, the extra down time for your longer time period allows you to wait out rush hour at a larger city, while your shorter wait allows you to avoid rush hour in smaller cities, letting you maximize your driving time to make miles. It's also a great approach if you only feel refreshed after more than seven hours of sleep.

Switching Between Schedules

You can also switch between these schedules, with one important rule to remember: you must have a three-hour break between the two periods. If you're going from a 7/3 to an 8/2, this happens automatically. However, switching from an 8/2 to a 7/3 requires you to actually do an 8/3 before you switch.

In Conclusion

As you can see, though the split sleeper berth rule can seem complicated, it can be used to help you make the most of your driving hours. By taking the time to use split sleeper rules to your benefit, you can avoid sitting in rush-hour traffic and instead, can spend more time on the open road, putting miles behind you. Take a few minutes on your next run to calculate how to apply the split sleeper rule to benefit your route and your paycheck. Until next time, keep those wheels turning and keep it greasy side down!