National Motor Carrier Productivity and Safety Improvement Act of 1985

National Motor Carrier Productivity and Safety Improvement Act of 1985 - Restricts the Interstate Commerce Commission's (the Commission) jurisdiction over motor carriers of passengers (buses) and of household goods, including regulation of rates, tariffs, classification, and rules or practices. Retains the exemption of motor common carriers of household goods from certain antitrust laws. Sets forth guidelines under which the Commission shall issue certificates and permits to motor common carriers of household goods authorizing them to provide transportation.

Grants the Secretary of Transportation (the Secretary) jurisdiction over: (1) motor carrier safety and productivity; and (2) interstate and intrastate transportation provided by National motor carriers of property and National private carriers of property (National carriers). Exempts from such jurisdiction motor carriers of household goods. Requires a National carrier to serve three or more contiguous States. Directs the Secretary to administer safety and insurance functions regarding certain U.S. domiciled carriers of property and foreign motor carriers of property.

Prohibits any State or interstate agency from enacting provisions regarding intrastate or interstate rates, routes, or services of motor carriers of property, including National carriers, with the exception of household goods carriers or motor private carriers.

Establishes in the Department of Transportation the Motor Carrier Administration to be administered by an Administrator who shall report directly to the Secretary.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) promptly inspect the safety compliance record of persons applying for authority to provide transportation of passengers or household goods; (2) establish safety fitness requirements; (3) maintain safety compliance records to determine the continued safety fitness of interstate owners and operators of commercials motor vehicles, interstate motor carriers of property, and National carriers; and (4) enforce compliance and issue orders against imminent hazards to safety.

Grants the Secretary safety jurisdiction over the commercial operations of National carriers.

Transfers to the Secretary all Commission functions regarding motor carriers of property, with the exception of household goods carriers, private carriers of property, and National carriers.

Prohibits a common carrier, in an agreement for damages limitation, from providing for specific amounts to be deducted from any claim presented by a shipper for loss or damage.

Establishes in the Department of Transportation a working group composed of State officials representing agencies with expertise in vehicle registration, fuel tax, and certain other tax practices affecting the truck industry. Authorizes such group to develop standards for uniform State regulation of interstate motor carriers regarding vehicle registration, fuel tax, and certain other tax requirements. Authorizes the Secretary to promulgate regulations implementing such standards. Prohibits States from imposing administrative requirements in excess of such standards. Authorizes the U.S. Attorney General to institute civil actions to enforce State compliance.

Requires the Secretary to: (1) submit a comprehensive report to the President and the Congress regarding owner-operator productivity and safety; (2) establish within the National Driver Register a separate recording system on drivers of commercial motor vehicles used to transport property; (3) assign to each such driver a unique identifier which shall be made available to State chief driver licensing officials; (4) implement a plan to consolidate and coordinate all activities within the Department of Transportation regarding the safety of motor carrier drivers, vehicles and operations; and (5) report the results of such coordination to the Congress.