Truck Safety:
Information on Driver Training
RCED-89-163: Published: Aug 3, 1989. Publicly Released: Aug 22, 1989.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
(202) 512-2834
contact@gao.gov
Office of Public Affairs
(202) 512-4800
youngc1@gao.gov
Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed: (1) the Federal Highway Administration's (FHwA) efforts to establish minimum federal standards for training tractor-trailer drivers; (2) driver training curricula offered by various public and private schools; and (3) trucking industry efforts to improve the quality of driver training.
GAO found that: (1) FHwA published rules establishing a 1992 deadline for all truck drivers to pass tests meeting federal standards; (2) FHwA has recommended a minimum 320 hours of training for new drivers; (3) while many schools had adopted the FHwA model curriculum, the hours of instruction and distribution of those hours varied widely among schools; (4) student-to-teacher ratios varied widely among schools and types of instruction; (5) various trucking industry associations were working to develop certification standards; and (6) the majority of private truck driving schools were unaccredited.
Recommendation for Executive Action
Status: Closed - Implemented
Comments: FHwA is assisting states to implement the CDL program, which requires federal standards for testing and licensing commercial drivers and provides incentives for states to improve driver safety. GAO believes that the action is not fully responsive because driver error continues to be cited as the major cause of truck accidents.
Recommendation: The Secretary of Transportation should direct the Administrator, FHwA, to: (1) request public comments on the merits of establishing by regulation formal tractor-trailer training as a uniform standard for the issuance of state commercial drivers' licenses (CDL) and developing federal standards for such training; and (2) if appropriate, initiate a new rulemaking for this purpose.
Agency Affected: Department of Transportation
Explore the full database of GAO's Open Recommendations
»
Nov 17, 2020
-
Puerto Rico Electricity:
FEMA and HUD Have Not Approved Long-Term Projects and Need to Implement Recommendations to Address Uncertainties and Enhance ResilienceGAO-21-54: Published: Nov 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 17, 2020.
Jul 16, 2020
-
Targeting Federal Funds:
Information on Funding to Areas with Persistent or High PovertyGAO-20-518: Published: Jul 16, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2020.
Jun 25, 2020
-
National Flood Insurance Program:
Fiscal Exposure Persists Despite Property AcquisitionsGAO-20-508: Published: Jun 25, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 25, 2020.
Jun 11, 2020
-
American Samoa:
Economic Trends, Status of the Tuna Canning Industry, and Stakeholders' Views on Minimum Wage IncreasesGAO-20-467: Published: Jun 11, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 11, 2020.
Apr 28, 2020
-
Priority Open Recommendations:
Small Business AdministrationGAO-20-501PR: Published: Apr 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 28, 2020.
Mar 9, 2020
-
La Agencia Federal para el Desarrollo de la Pequeña Empresa:
el Procesamiento de Préstamos para Desastres Fue Más Puntual, Pero Mejoramientos en la Planificación y la Evaluación del Programa Piloto son NecesariosGAO-20-369: Published: Feb 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 2020. -
Small Business Administration:
Disaster Loan Processing Was Timelier, but Planning Improvements and Pilot Program Evaluation NeededGAO-20-168: Published: Feb 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Mar 9, 2020.
Jan 28, 2020
-
Innovative Technologies in Manufacturing:
Commerce Has Stopped Efforts to Implement Loan Guarantee ProgramGAO-20-326R: Published: Jan 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2020.
Oct 8, 2019
-
Puerto Rico Electricity Grid Recovery:
Better Information and Enhanced Coordination Is Needed to Address ChallengesGAO-20-141: Published: Oct 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2019. -
Recuperación De La Red Eléctrica En Puerto Rico:
Se Necesita Mejor Información y Coordinación para Enfrentar DesafíosGAO-20-143: Published: Oct 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Oct 8, 2019.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here