Split Sleeper Birth Question

Question - Is this right?

Is it possible, in the scenario as pictured, that a person can drive 12 hours in a 24 hour period using the split sleeper birth rule?

In the scenario pictured, do the FMCSR HOS rules for split sleeper allow a driver to reset the 14/11 clocks at the end of each of the pictured breaks?
That is, if a person takes a 2-hour break, followed by an 8-hour in sleeper break, followed by a 2-hour break, can the 14/11 reset happen at the end of each of these breaks 2, 8 & 2 ?

I am in training, with CDL-A in hand, but yet to complete orientation and drive with the trainer. I have been reading FMCSR HOS rules, working through the High Road Training and simply constructing HOS situations and trip plans for thought. This is one.

In life, I have had the sense that ‘routine’ is a good thing for the body and mind. From what I am reading, I am expecting ‘routine’ to be the exception rather than the rule in the life of a truck driver, but having a sense for an ‘ideal’ to look toward seems to have merit.
I have been thinking that it would be nice if I could sleep between 8pm-4am, drive 4hrs, off 8am-10am, drive-4hrs, off 2pm-4pm, drive 4hrs, sleep 8pm-4am
This as an ideal ‘routine’, if/when possible.

It would appear, if I am correct, that the split sleeper HOS rules allow for this, 2 off, 8 sleep, 2 off, model with 4 hours of driving between each break. (And I am sure these 4hrs also include pre-trip and fuel and ... of on-duty not driving, but I’m simplifying by considering all on-duty as driving).
And if the HOS rules allow for this, it appears that at the beginning of each break a driver would have a minimum of 4 hrs/3 hrs remaining on their clocks if additional driving time was required to make it to a destination.

Is this correct?
It is very possible I am confusing the details, or that elog devices would not allow this option, or ...

Perhaps another question would be simply - Do you as a driver look toward a ‘routine’ in your driving day/times, or do you go with the flow and drive when able and take time off when at loading/unloading locations?

Input on the question is much appreciated. Input and thoughts on the routine of driving as well.

Thank you!

David, there's nothing routine in an over the road driver's schedule. I flip-flop my nights and days constantly just to be productive.

You can legally drive 12 hours (even more) in a 24 hour period while spending 10 hours in the sleeper. You don't have to resort to the 8/2 split. But either way it's legal.

In your scenario, and using your reference #s 1,2,&3.

Upon completing #2, your 14/11 would reset at the end of #1.

Upon completion of #3, your 14\11 would reset at the end of #2.

The 14/11 wouldn't reset after #3 unless you complete yet another 8 hour break in- sleeper.

Like OS said above, with a 10-hour break in your day you can legally drive up to 13.5 hrs in a 24 hr period. Ex. Start at midnight. Drive till 5 and take a half-hour break. Finish your 11 driving at 11:30. Take your 10 hour break and start driving again at 9:30pm till midnight again = 13.5 hrs driving that day.

Thank you Old School & Turtle!

The reality of time being driven by production rather than ‘routine’ is becoming more clear.

Turtle, your note regarding the reset after #3 revealed my mistake. I was trying to take the 8+2 to reset at the end of #3, and that is not the way the HOS regulations work. It is a reset at the end of the 1st break of the two breaks (ie. at #2) as you made clear.

Old School’s comment about more than 12 hours in one day did result in a ‘head slap’ moment for me.
As you mention the 13.5 hours, I was realizing this and also 7 on either side of the 10 could achieve the complete 14 in a day. In some sense I see this as borrowing from the days before/after, but truly the limiting factor, if one is able to push that hard for many days in a row, seems to be the 70 hour in 8 days.

Thank you for the input!

In your scenario, and using your reference #s 1, 2, & 3.

Upon completing #2, your 14/11 would reset at the end of #1.

Upon completion of #3, your 14\11 would reset at the end of #2.

The 14/11 wouldn't reset after #3 unless you complete yet another 8 hour break in- sleeper.

Like OS said above, with a 10-hour break in your day you can legally drive up to 13.5 hrs in a 24 hr period. Ex. Start at midnight. Drive till 5 and take a half-hour break. Finish your 11 driving at 11:30. Take your 10 hour break and start driving again at 9:30pm till midnight again = 13.5 hrs driving that day.

It is a reset at the end of the 1st break of the two breaks

Yes this! It's the part that most people who don't understand the split have trouble with. It's even harder to explain the split here in written form. But you seem to be on your way to getting it.

I understand your desire for a routine. I was the same way, and that's kind of why I chose flatbed. It tends to be the most routine of all the divisions, I think. However, you can never count on anything being routine in this business. That's why I would not suggest using the split in the fashion you described, at least not all the time. Save it for when you need it. Just like everything else, you'll figure it out in much more detail as you go. Something as simple as an unplanned 2-hour shipper delay can put you in a position where the split will be to your advantage.

I wish I had more time to elaborate, but I gotta roll.

I understand your desire for a routine. I was the same way, and that's kind of why I chose flatbed. It tends to be the most routine of all the divisions, I think. However, you can never count on anything being routine in this business.

I just wanna second this really quick. I've done refrigerated, dry van , and now flatbed. I have definitely found flatbed to be more prone to some semblance of "routine" regarding day-night cycles at least. This really comes down to the fact that there are a higher percentage of customers who are not 24 hour facilities. A lot more 7am - 5pm places.

I typically am able to do 4/5am starts the vast majority of my days, fit my driving/loading/unloading into a 12ish hour window and repeat. As of the last 4 weeks, I'm averaging 3311 miles per week. Unless you're on a strict dedicated route , that is very rare in the dry van/reefer world.

I understand your desire for a routine. I was the same way, and that's kind of why I chose flatbed. It tends to be the most routine of all the divisions, I think. However, you can never count on anything being routine in this business.
— Turtle

I just wanna second this really quick. I've done refrigerated, dry van , and now flatbed. I have definitely found flatbed to be more prone to some semblance of "routine" regarding day-night cycles at least.
— Chris M.

Old School has mentioned his appreciation for flatbed as well.

Flatbed is definitely under consideration. I am also interested in tanker, prefrably non-hazmat, this based on comments Brett has made and also the comments and feelings of a number of my instructors (all long term drivers with time pulling a wide variety of trailers).

I will begin with dry van or refer both because Brett recommends this and because this is the path my company has me on at present. This door opened a step or two back and the path is clear, as it were. The other options will be there when I’ve had a chance to experience this first step.

The input is great!
It is fun, or funny, trying to figure out all of the pieces as early as possible while knowing it really will be, and must be, a process while on the road.