The total stopping distance is the total minimum distance your vehicle has traveled, in ideal conditions; with everything considered, including perception distance, reaction distance and braking distance, until you can bring your vehicle to a complete stop. At 55 mph, your vehicle will travel a minimum of 450 feet.

Slow down to a safe speed, and downshift to the right gear before entering the curve. This lets you use some power through the curve to help the vehicle be more stable while turning. It also allows you to speed up as soon as you are out of the curve.

If an oncoming driver has drifted into your lane, a move to your right is best. If that driver realizes what has happened, the natural response will be to return to their own lane. No one is likely to be driving on the shoulder, but someone may be passing you on the left.

It will take longer to stop, and it will be harder to turn without skidding, when the road is slippery. So, making gentle turns is key when the roads are slippery.

The pitman arm, spindle, tie rod, and steering gear box are all parts of the steering system.

Your CDL will be disqualified after two or more convictions of any state law on texting while operating a CMV. No motor carrier shall allow or require its drivers to engage in texting while driving.

During your pre-trip inspection you will need to check cargo securement, and vehicle lights to make sure the vehicle is safe to go on the road. Fuel is a responsibility of the driver to transport the cargo and is not checked on the pre-trip inspection.

Signal early and leave the signal on until the maneuver is complete. Signal well before you turn. It is the best way to keep others from trying to pass you.

If you find yourself being tailgated, here are some things you can do to reduce the chances of a crash: avoid quick changes, increase your following distance, don't speed up, and don't turn on your taillights or flash your brake lights.

Over-length, over-width, and/or overweight loads require special transit permits. Driving is usually limited to certain times. Special equipment may be necessary such as "wide load" signs, flashing lights, flags, etc.

Avoid backing whenever you can. When you park, try to park so you will be able to pull forward when you leave.

A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. You could have a breakdown on the road that will cost time and dollars, or even worse, a crash caused by the defect. Also, Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles.

To test the parking brake: fasten safety belt, set parking brake, place vehicle into a low gear, and gently pull forward against parking brake to make sure the parking brake holds.

You must review the inspection report made by the previous driver. Only if defects reported earlier have been certified as repaired or not needed to be repaired, should you sign the previous driver's report.

Before you begin backing, work out a set of hand signals that you both understand. Agree on a signal for "stop."

Your most important consideration is to select a speed that is not too fast for the: total weight of the vehicle and cargo, length of the grade, steepness of the grade, road conditions, and weather.

If a traffic light has been green for a long time it will probably change before you get there. Start slowing down and be ready to stop.

It takes a typical tractor trailer unit at least 14 seconds to clear a single track and more than 15 seconds to clear a double track.

Blocking is used in the front, back, and/or sides of a piece of cargo to keep it from sliding. Blocking is shaped to fit snugly against cargo. It is secured to the cargo deck to prevent cargo movement.

The tire load is the maximum safe weight a tire can carry at a specified pressure. This rating is stated on the side of each tire.

Black ice is a thin layer that is clear enough that you can see the road underneath it. It makes the road look wet. Any time the temperature is below freezing, and the road looks wet, watch out for black ice.

If possible, try to schedule trips for the hours you are normally awake. Many heavy motor vehicle accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m.

Basic method for shifting up: release accelerator, push in clutch and shift to neutral at the same time. Release clutch. Let engine and gears slow down to the rpm required for the next gear. Push in clutch and shift to the higher gear at the same time. Release clutch and press accelerator at the same time.

Shut off engine and take key with you so someone else won't move truck while you are under it.

Forcing an automatic transmission into a lower gear at high speed could damage the transmission and also lead to loss of all engine braking effect.

Do the following to correct a drive-wheel braking skid: stop braking letting the rear wheels roll again and keep the rear wheels from sliding; counter-steer as a vehicle turns back on course, it tends to keep on turning. Unless you turn the steering wheel quickly the other way, you may find yourself skidding in the opposite direction.

Never leave your vehicle unattended without applying the parking brakes or chocking the wheels. Your vehicle might roll away and cause injury and damage.

If the load is more than two feet wide and extends more than four feet behind the rear of the vehicle, two square red flags must be placed at the end of the load.

Always be prepared to act based on your plans. In this way, you will be a prepared, defensive driver who will improve your own safety as well as the safety of all road users.

Some vehicles have sight glasses, see-through coolant overflow containers, or coolant recovery containers. These permit you to check the coolant level while the engine is hot. If the container is not part of the pressurized system, the cap can be safely removed, and coolant added even when the engine is at operating temperature.

If you must stop on or by a one-way or divided highway, place warning devices 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet toward the approaching traffic.

If you find yourself being tailgated: avoid quick changes, signal early, reduce speed very gradually, increase your following distance, and don't speed up.

A stale green light is a traffic light that is green when you first see it, thus you do not know how long it has been green - so we have to assume it will change at any moment.

All of the following drinks contain the same amount of alcohol: A 12-ounce glass of 5% beer. A 5-ounce glass of 12% wine. A 1 1/2-ounce shot of 80 proof whiskey.

Commercial vehicles are often wide and take up most of a lane. Safe drivers will manage what little space they have. You can do this by keeping your vehicle centered in your lane and avoid driving alongside others.

The liver can only process one-third an ounce of alcohol per hour, which is considerably less than the alcohol in a standard drink. This is a fixed rate, so only time, not black coffee or a cold shower, will sober you up.

To know how much space you have, wait until the vehicle ahead passes a shadow on the road, a pavement marking, or some other clear landmark. Then count off the seconds like this: "one thousand-and-one, one thousand-and-two" and so on, until you reach the same spot.

If you don't sleep enough, you "owe" more sleep to yourself. This debt can only be paid off by sleeping. You can't overcome it with willpower, and it won't go away by itself. The average person needs seven or eight hours of sleep every 24 hours.

Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, assume they don't see you. They could suddenly move in front of you. When it is legal, tap the horn lightly or, at night, flash your lights from low to high beam and back. And, drive carefully enough to avoid a crash even if they don't see or hear you.

Check for missing nuts, bolts, cotter keys, or other parts.

BAC is determined by the amount of alcohol you drink, how fast you drink, and your weight. Alcohol goes directly into the blood stream from the stomach. The liver can only process one-third an ounce of alcohol per hour.

If possible, avoid using the brakes until your speed has dropped to about 20 mph, and gently return to the road.

Check all of the following for looseness, sticking, damage, or improper setting: steering wheel, clutch, and accelerator.

Escape ramps have been built on many steep mountain downgrades. Escape ramps are made to stop runaway vehicles safely without injuring drivers and passengers. Escape ramps use a long bed of loose, soft material to slow a runaway vehicle, sometimes in combination with an upgrade.

Forcing an automatic transmission into a lower gear at high speed could damage the transmission and also lead to loss of all engine braking effect.

Watch for: vehicles that may drift over the lane divider lines or within their own lane; vehicles traveling at inconsistent speeds; drivers who are preoccupied with maps, food, cigarettes, cell phones, or other objects; drivers who appear to be involved in conversations with their passengers.

When you're in an accident and not seriously hurt, you need to act to prevent further damage or injury. The basic steps to be taken at any accident are to: protect the area, notify authorities, and care for the injured.

Because you cannot see everything behind your vehicle, backing is always dangerous. Avoid backing whenever you can. When you have to back, here are a few simple safety rules: start in the proper position, look at your path, use mirrors on both sides, back slowly, back and turn toward the driver's side if possible, use a helper whenever possible.

Driving too fast is a major cause of fatal crashes. You must adjust your speed depending on driving conditions. These include traction, curves, visibility, traffic and hills.

Too much weight on the steering axle can cause hard steering. It can damage the steering axle and tires.