Maximizing Split Sleeper Berth With Samsara

how to use split sleeper berth on samsara

The split sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two shifts, with one shift being a minimum of 7 hours in the sleeper berth and the other being a minimum of 2 hours off-duty. This flexibility helps drivers maximize efficiency and adjust their schedules. To pause shift clocks during split sleeper berth conditions, drivers can enable the Split Sleeper Toggle in the Samsara Driver App. This feature is available for US-based drivers, and Samsara will automatically calculate the remaining time on drivers' clocks.

Characteristics Values
Drivers' required off-duty period 10 hours
Split options 8/2 or 7/3
Shift reset 10 hours
Minimum SB period 7 hours
Minimum off-duty period 2 hours
Driving window 14 hours
Driving limit 11 hours
Break requirement 30 minutes after 8 hours of driving
Shift calculation point 16 hours in Canada South, 20 hours in Canada North
Availability Only for US-based drivers

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How to enable the Split Sleeper Toggle

The split sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their off-duty time into multiple Sleeper Berth (SB) periods. This is especially useful for truck drivers who need more flexibility in their schedules. To enable the Split Sleeper Toggle, drivers must first log in to the Samsara Driver App. Then, they need to tap HOS > HOS settings and enable Split Sleeper Toggle.

It is important to note that the Split Sleeper Toggle is only available for US-based drivers. Drivers operating in Canada will not be able to enable the toggle as clocks are optimistic (pause proactively) by default.

When the toggle is enabled, the shift pauses after the first eligible period until the driver's status changes to On Duty. A note will be displayed in the HOS log, but Samsara recommends manually adding a remark to help during a roadside inspection. The fleet administrator can see the split sleeper toggle in the driver log on the Samsara dashboard.

The two SB periods must add up to 10 hours. One period must be at least 2 hours and can be spent in the sleeper berth, off-duty, or in personal conveyance. The other period must be at least 7 hours and can only be taken in the sleeper berth. These breaks can be taken in any order. After completing both periods, neither period will count towards the driving window.

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Rules for drivers in Canada

Driving laws are strictly enforced in Canada, and penalties for breaking them are generally severe. Here are some rules that drivers in Canada should be aware of:

Insurance

It is illegal to drive without car insurance in Canada. Insurance covers the vehicle and not the driver, so you can drive any insured vehicle with the owner's consent, as long as it is not a restricted vehicle like a motorcycle, boat, bus, or semi-truck. However, there may be financial consequences if an unlisted driver crashes the vehicle, so it is important to read your auto insurance policy carefully.

Seatbelts

Seatbelt use is mandatory for all passengers in a vehicle in every province across Canada. Fines for not wearing a seatbelt can range from $200 to $1,000, depending on the province.

Accidents

It is a serious crime to leave the scene of an accident, whether it involves another vehicle or a pedestrian. In the event of an accident, call 911 for emergency services and wait at the scene until they arrive. Exchange information with the other driver, including your name, contact information, driver's licence number, licence plate number, and insurance company.

Winter Driving

Snow and ice are significant driving hazards in most parts of Canada. Winter tires are mandated during certain periods in some provinces, such as Quebec and British Columbia. It is important to drive slowly and carefully in snowy and icy conditions. In Quebec, be aware that snow removal takes priority over parked cars in winter, and your vehicle may be towed if it is parked in an area where snow needs to be cleared.

Idling

In some parts of Canada, such as Vancouver and certain regions of British Columbia, there are anti-idling rules in place to reduce emissions and improve air quality. You can be fined for leaving your car idling for more than one minute.

Sleeper Berth

For commercial vehicle drivers utilizing a sleeper berth, there are specific regulations to meet mandatory off-duty time requirements. Off-duty time can be accumulated in up to two periods, each lasting at least two hours, with a total combined off-duty time of at least ten hours spent resting in the sleeper berth.

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Rules for US drivers

A sleeper berth is a designated compartment installed behind a tractor unit's cabin where truck drivers can rest or sleep. It is also known as a sleeper cab or sleeper. These berths are well-equipped and designed to be comfortable resting places for career commercial drivers. They usually include features such as memory-foam mattresses, APUs and bunk heaters, power inverters and outlets, and built-in refrigerators.

The split sleeper berth rule allows US drivers to divide their 10-hour break into two separate periods to extend their 14-hour on-duty shift. One period must be at least 7 hours and can only be taken in the sleeper berth. The other period must be at least 2 hours and can be spent in the sleeper berth, off-duty, or in personal conveyance, or a combination of these. These two periods can be taken in any order, but they must add up to 10 hours.

Drivers can use the 7-3 or 8-2 split break according to their preference and what suits their operation schedules better. This flexibility allows them to adjust their schedules for longer hauls or warehouse hours by "dropping in" a rest break that pushes out a 14-hour driving period.

To proactively pause shift clocks during split sleeper berth conditions, drivers can enable the Split Sleeper Toggle in the Samsara Driver App. This is only available for US-based drivers. It is recommended that drivers manually add a remark to the log to help during a roadside inspection to clarify the split sleeper scenario.

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Understanding the Sleeper Berth Provision

The sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their mandatory 10-hour rest period into two distinct periods, one of which must be a minimum of 7 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth and the other a minimum of 2 consecutive hours off-duty. This flexibility enables drivers to extend their on-duty shift and adjust their schedules to accommodate longer hauls or warehouse hours. The rule applies to drivers of property-carrying commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) equipped with a compliant sleeper berth.

The order of the breaks does not matter, and when paired, neither rest period counts against the 14-hour driving window. This means that drivers can ""stop the clock" on the 14-hour rule for at least two hours. For example, a driver could take a 3-hour break from 6 pm to 9 pm, followed by a 7-hour sleeper berth period from 9 pm to 4 am, for a total of 10 hours of rest. The next day, the driver would need to take another 3-hour break to comply with the 14-hour calculation.

It is important to note that the split sleeper berth provision is a complicated rule that impacts the typical functioning of Hours of Service (HOS) rules. While it offers flexibility, it can lead to drivers being behind the wheel during typical sleeping hours, which may be dangerous. Additionally, the split sleeper berth time continues to be a manual process for drivers, even though other aspects of HOS have been automated.

To proactively pause shift clocks during split sleeper berth conditions, drivers can enable the Split Sleeper Toggle in the Samsara Driver App. This feature is only available for US-based drivers, as Canadian HOS has an Optimistic Clock performance that pauses proactively. Inspecting officers will take eventual split sleeper periods into consideration when evaluating HOS logs, and if a violation would be forgiven by a split sleeper scenario, the officer should not cite the driver.

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Using the Samsara Driver App

The Samsara Driver App allows drivers to record their rest time in sleeper berths. The app also enables drivers to split their 10-hour required shift reset period into two periods, with one period being at least 7 hours in the sleeper berth and the other being at least 2 hours off-duty.

To use the split sleeper berth feature on the Samsara Driver App, drivers can follow these steps:

  • Log in to the Samsara Driver App.
  • Tap HOS > HOS settings and enable Split Sleeper Toggle.
  • The Split Sleeper Berth toggle is only available for US-based drivers.
  • After completing one eligible split sleeper period in your shift, an option will display under the HOS dials to pause the shift clock.
  • Drivers can then select the SB time in the Samsara Driver App to indicate their intention to use the split sleeper berth.
  • Each status change will be visible in the Hours of Service Report, and drivers can review their remaining drive time and shift time.

It's important to note that the rules regarding the amount of time and conditions for rest periods in a sleeper berth may vary by region, and drivers should be aware of any violations that may occur before the second split sleeper period is achieved. Additionally, drivers should ensure they have the latest version of the Samsara Driver App to comply with any regulatory changes.

Frequently asked questions

The sleeper berth provision allows drivers to split their required 10-hour off-duty period into two segments, using a sleeper berth in their truck.

To enable the Split Sleeper Toggle, log in to the Samsara Driver App, tap HOS > HOS settings and enable Split Sleeper Toggle.

To proactively pause shift clocks between shifts, drivers can enable Split Sleeper Toggle. This will pause the shift clock after the first eligible period until your status changes to On Duty.

The split sleeper berth rule allows a driver to extend an on-duty shift by splitting the required 10 consecutive hours of off-duty time into two shifts. This allows drivers to adjust schedules for things like longer hauls or warehouse hours.

When the vehicle has stopped moving for 5 minutes, your duty status will automatically be set to On Duty (not driving). When it’s time for a break, you can change your status to Off Duty. If you will use your vehicle’s sleeper berth, you can set your duty status to the Sleeper Berth option.

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