A state of the art description of classified driver's licensing systems across the country is provided in the report. Key findings include: 1) high accident rates for heavy vehicles and special skills required for their operation has led to the creation of special licenses for these vehicles. 2) The most common distinction between vehicle classifications is a gross weight of 24, 000 pounds. 3) Special license endorsements are commonly required to operate motorcycles, school buses, emergency vehicles and vehicles carrying hazardous materials. 4) Most states using classified systems have phased them in slowly. 5) Thirty-one states classify vehicles into three size categories: passenger vehicles, straight trucks and buses and tractor-trailer combinations. Twenty-two of these states require special written exams for operators of heavy vehicles. 6) Most states have established standards of visual acuity but few have established health screening for operators of all heavy vehicles. 7) All of the states having classified licenses use skill tests. 8) Most states license heavy vehicle operators at age 18 and some require at least one year of experience. See also C 1708 and C 1709.
Samenvatting