A: A qualifying rest break or sleeper berth period is either the sleeper berth period of at least 7 hours or the rest period of at least 2 hours in the sleeper berth or off-duty as described under the sleeper berth exception, as well as any 10-consecutive hour or more break.

Under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations updated for 2026, a qualifying sleeper berth is a designated compartment in a commercial motor vehicle that meets strict size and safety requirements for driver rest. To be "qualifying," the berth must be at least 75 inches long, 24 inches wide, and 24 inches high (from the top of the mattress), and it must be equipped with adequate ventilation, bedding, and a restraint system (like a safety net) to protect the driver during sudden stops. As of early 2026, the FMCSA has launched a new Flexibility Pilot Program that allows participating property-carrying drivers to split their mandatory 10-hour rest period into smaller increments, such as 6/4 or 5/5 splits, provided they spend at least one of those periods in a qualifying sleeper berth. This is a significant shift from the traditional 8/2 or 7/3 split rules, designed to help drivers better manage fatigue based on their natural sleep cycles and real-world traffic conditions. For a berth to count toward these HOS (Hours of Service) requirements, it must be used for genuine rest and not for any other on-duty tasks.