This paper addresses the licensing requirements for drivers of heavy trucks (HTs) and recommends a system for monitoring the HT drivers. The literature review, data analyses and determination of current practices indicate that heavy trucks pose a safety problem. Presently, many drivers of heavy trucks are not under any system of monitoring because only half of the states have classified licensing for HT drivers, the Bureau of Motor Carrier Safety (BMCS) has jurisdiction only over drivers in interstate trucking, and not all motor carriers have stringent qualification requirements. Even when BMCS and state regulations appear adequate, the lack of effective enforcement leaves major gaps in monitoring the HT drivers.

Therefore, recommendations for HT licensure are made in regard to verification of driver identity;​ medical requirements;​ vision, knowledge and skills testing;​ and an interstate identification file that is checked whenever license is first issued in any state. It is also recommended that the most effective system of monitoring HT drivers is to utilize existing state licensing, records and enforcement programs. The use of federal standards with enforceable sanctions will probably be necessary for encouraging states to upgrade their present programs. However, a federal license system or a federal registry is unlikely to be as effective as a cooperative state system.