This paper gives a review ofthe literature on driver inattention monitoring system for the purpose of active safe driving. In this paper driving inattention is classified into two categories: fatigue and distraction, while fatigue and distraction can also contain many types and levels. Individual difference on inattention phenomenon makes it more complicated to correctly detect and recognize driving inattention. Driver attention monitoring has been intensively researched in recent years and many approaches have been proposed, which include biological signal (EEG, ECG, EOG and sEMG) processing method, subjective report method, and behavior analysis method. This survey reviews a number of promising approaches and provides an overview of recent developments in this domain. The emphasis ofthis paper is to discuss the various methodologies to monitor driving inattention. We conclude with some thoughts about future directions.