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Canvas or tarp (if required) properly secured to
prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of mirrors.
If oversize, all required signs (flags, lamps, and
reflectors) safely and properly mounted and all
required permits in driver's possession.
Curbside cargo compartment doors in good
condition, securely closed, latched/locked and
required security seals in place.
Right Rear
Condition of wheels and rims--no missing, bent, or
broken spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs.
Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve stems
and caps, no serious cuts, bulges, tread wear,
tires not rubbing each other, and nothing stuck
between them.
Tires same type, e.g., not mixed radial and bias
types.
Tires evenly matched (same sizes).
Wheel bearing/seals not leaking.
Suspension.
Condition of spring(s), spring hangers, shackles,
and u-bolts.
Axle secure.
Powered axle(s) not leaking lube (gear oil).
Condition of torque rod arms, bushings.
Condition of shock absorber(s).
If retractable axle equipped, check condition of lift
mechanism. If air powered, check for leaks.
Condition of air ride components.
Brakes.
Brake adjustment.
Condition of brake drum(s) or discs.
Condition of hoses--look for any wear due to
rubbing.
Lights and reflectors.
Side-marker lights clean, operating, and proper
color (red at rear, others amber).
Side-marker reflectors clean and proper color (red
at rear, others amber).
Rear
Lights and reflectors.
Rear clearance and identification lights clean,
operating, and proper color (red at rear).
Reflectors clean and proper color (red at rear).
Taillights clean, operating, and proper color (red at
rear).
Right rear turn signal operating, and proper color
(red, yellow, or amber at rear).
License plate(s) present, clean, and secured.
Splash guards present, not damaged, properly
fastened, not dragging on ground, or rubbing tires.
Cargo secure (trucks).
Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, chained, etc.
Tailboards up and properly secured.
End gates free of damage, properly secured in
stake sockets.
Canvas or tarp (if required) properly secured to
prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of either the
rearview mirrors or rear lights.
If over-length, or over-width, make sure all signs
and/or additional lights/flags are safely and
properly mounted and all required permits are in
driver's possession.
Rear doors securely closed, latched/locked.
Left Side
Check all items as done on right side, plus:
Battery(ies) (if not mounted in engine
compartment).
Battery box(es) securely mounted to vehicle.
Box has secure cover.
Battery(ies) secured against movement.
Battery(ies) not broken or leaking.
Fluid in battery(ies) at proper level (except
maintenance-free type).
Cell caps present and securely tightened (except
maintenance-free type).
Vents in cell caps free of foreign material (except
maintenance-free type).
Step 6: Check Signal Lights
Get In and Turn Off Lights
Turn off all lights.
Turn on stop lights (apply trailer hand brake or
have a helper put on the brake pedal).
Turn on left turn signal lights.
Get Out and Check Lights
Left front turn signal light clean, operating and
proper color (amber or white on signals facing the
front).
Left rear turn signal light and both stop lights clean,
operating, and proper color (red, yellow, or amber).
Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-6
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
Get In Vehicle
Turn off lights not needed for driving.
Check for all required papers, trip manifests,
permits, etc.
Secure all loose articles in cab (they might interfere
with operation of the controls or hit you in a crash).
Start the engine.
Step 7: Start the Engine and Check
Test for Hydraulic Leaks. If the vehicle has
hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three times.
Then apply firm pressure to the pedal and hold for
five seconds. The pedal should not move. If it does,
there may be a leak or other problem. Get it fixed
before driving. If the vehicle has air brakes, do the
checks described in Sections 5 and 6 of this manual.
Brake System
Test Parking Brake(s)
Fasten safety belt
Set parking brake (power unit only).
Release trailer parking brake (if applicable).
Place vehicle into a low gear.
Gently pull forward against parking brake to make
sure the parking brake holds.
Repeat the same steps for the trailer with trailer
parking brake set and power unit parking brakes
released (if applicable).
If it doesn't hold vehicle, it is faulty; get it fixed.
Test Service Brake Stopping Action
Driver pulls forward at five miles per hour.
Push brake pedal firmly
"Pulling" to one side or the other can mean brake
trouble.
Any unusual brake pedal "feel" or delayed stopping
action can mean trouble.
If you find anything unsafe during the Vehicle
inspection, get it fixed. Federal and state laws forbid
operating an unsafe vehicle.
2.1.6 – Inspection during a Trip
Check Vehicle Operation Regularly
You should check:
Instruments.
Air pressure gauge (if you have air brakes).
Temperature gauges.
Pressure gauges.
Ammeter/voltmeter.
Mirrors.
Tires.
Cargo, cargo covers.
Lights, etc
If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything that might
mean trouble, check it out.
Safety Inspection. Drivers of trucks and truck
tractors when transporting cargo must inspect the
securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of
a trip and every 150 miles or every three hours
(whichever comes first) after.
2.1.7 – After-trip Inspection and Report
You may have to make a written report each day on
the condition of the vehicle(s) you drove. Report
anything affecting safety or possibly leading to
mechanical breakdown.
Subsection 2.1
Test Your Knowledge
The vehicle inspection report tells the motor carrier
about problems that may need fixing. Keep a copy
of your report in the vehicle for one day. That way,
the next driver can learn about any problems you
have found.
1. What is the most important reason for doing a
vehicle inspection?
2. What things should you check during a trip?
3. Name some key steering system parts.
4. Name some suspension system defects.
5. What three kinds of emergency equipment must
you have?
6. What is the minimum tread depth for front tires?
For other tires?
7. Name some things you should check on the
front of your vehicle during the walk around
inspection.
8. What should wheel bearing seals be checked
for?
9. How many red reflective triangles should you
carry?
10. How do you test hydraulic brakes for leaks?
11. Why put the starter switch key in your pocket
during the Vehicle inspection?
Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-7
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
These questions may be on your test. If you can’t
answer them all, re-read subsection 2.1.
2.2 – Basic Control of Your Vehicle
To drive a vehicle safely, you must be able to control
its speed and direction. Safe operation of a
commercial vehicle requires skill in:
Accelerating.
Steering.
Stopping.
Backing safely.
Fasten your seatbelt when on the road. Apply the
parking brake when you leave your vehicle.
2.2.1 – Accelerating
Don't roll back when you start. You may hit
someone behind you. If you have a manual
transmission vehicle, partly engage the clutch
before you take your right foot off the brake. Put on
the parking brake whenever necessary to keep from
rolling back. Release the parking brake only when
you have applied enough engine power to keep
from rolling back. On a tractor-trailer equipped with
a trailer brake hand valve, the hand valve can be
applied to keep from rolling back.
Speed up smoothly and gradually so the vehicle
does not jerk. Rough acceleration can cause
mechanical damage. When pulling a trailer, rough
acceleration can damage the coupling.
Speed up very gradually when traction is poor, as in
rain or snow. If you use too much power, the drive
wheels may spin. You could lose control. If the drive
wheels begin to spin, take your foot off the
accelerator.
2.2.2 – Steering
Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands. Your
hands should be on opposite sides of the wheel. If
you hit a curb or a pothole (chuckhole), the wheel
could pull away from your hands unless you have a
firm hold.
2.2.3 – Stopping
Push the brake pedal down gradually. The amount
of brake pressure you need to stop the vehicle will
depend on the speed of the vehicle and how quickly
you need to stop. Control the pressure so the
vehicle comes to a smooth, safe stop. If you have a
manual transmission, push the clutch in when the
engine is close to idle.
2.2.4 – Backing Safely
Because you cannot see everything behind your
vehicle, backing is always dangerous. Avoid
backing whenever you can. When you park, try to
park so you will be able to pull forward when you
leave. 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 whenever
possible.
Use a helper whenever possible.
These rules are discussed in turn below.
Start in the Proper Position. Put the vehicle in the
best position to allow you to back safely. This
position will depend on the type of backing to be
done.
Look at Your Path. Look at your line of travel
before you begin. Get out and walk around the
vehicle. Check your clearance to the sides and
overhead, in and near the path your vehicle will
take.
Use Mirrors on Both Sides. Check the outside
mirrors on both sides frequently. Get out of the
vehicle and check your path if you are unsure.
Back Slowly. Always back as slowly as possible.
Use the lowest reverse gear. That way you can
more easily correct any steering errors. You also
can stop quickly if necessary.
Back and Turn Toward the Driver's Side. Back to
the driver's side so that you can see better. Backing
toward the right side is very dangerous because you
can't see as well. If you back and turn toward the
driver's side, you can watch the rear of your vehicle
by looking out the side window. Use driver-side
backing--even if it means going around the block to
put your vehicle in this position. The added safety is
worth it.
Use a Helper. Use a helper when you can. There
are blind spots you can't see. That's why a helper is
important. The helper should stand near the back of
your vehicle where you can see the helper. Before
you begin backing, work out a set of hand signals
that you both understand. Agree on a signal for
"stop."
Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-8
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
2.3 – Shifting Gears
Correct shifting of gears is important. If you can't get
your vehicle into the right gear while driving, you will
have less control.
2.3.1 – Manual Transmissions
Basic Method for Shifting Up. Most heavy
vehicles with unsynchronized manual transmissions
require double clutching to change gears. If
equipped with a synchronized manual transmission,
double clutching is NOT required This is the basic
method:
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 (this takes practice).
Push in clutch and shift to the higher gear at the
same time.
Release clutch and press accelerator at the same
time.
Shifting gears using double clutching requires
practice. If you remain too long in neutral, you may
have difficulty putting the vehicle into the next gear.
If so, don't try to force it. Return to neutral, release
clutch, increase engine speed to match road speed,
and try again.
Knowing When to Shift Up. There are two ways of
knowing when to shift:
Use Engine Speed (rpm). Study the driver's
manual for your vehicle and learn the operating rpm
range. Watch your tachometer, and shift up when
your engine reaches the top of the range. (Some
newer vehicles use "progressive" shifting: the rpm
at which you shift becomes higher as you move up
in the gears. Find out what's right for the vehicle you
will operate.)
Use Road Speed (mph). Learn what speeds each
gear is good for. Then, by using the speedometer,
you'll know when to shift up.
With either method, you may learn to use engine
sounds to know when to shift.
Basic Procedures for Shifting Down
Release accelerator, push in clutch, and shift to
neutral at the same time.
Release clutch.
Press accelerator, increase engine and gear speed
to the rpm required in the lower gear.
Push in clutch and shift to lower gear at the same
time.
Release clutch and press accelerator at the same
time.
Downshifting, like upshifting, requires knowing
when to shift. Use either the tachometer or the
speedometer and downshift at the right rpm or
road speed.
Special conditions where you should downshift
are:
Before Starting Down a Hill. Slow down and shift
down to a speed that you can control without using
the brakes hard. Otherwise the brakes can overheat
and lose their braking power.
Downshift before starting down the hill. Make sure
you are in a low enough gear, usually lower than the
gear required to climb the same hill.
Before Entering a Curve. 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.
2.3.2 – Multi-speed Rear Axles and Auxiliary
Transmissions
Multi-speed rear axles and auxiliary transmissions
are used on many vehicles to provide extra gears.
You usually control them by a selector knob or
switch on the gearshift lever of the main
transmission. There are many different shift
patterns. Learn the right way to shift gears in the
vehicle you will drive.
2.3.3 – Automatic Transmissions
Some vehicles have automatic transmissions. You
can select a low range to get greater engine braking
when going down grades. The lower ranges prevent
the transmission from shifting up beyond the
selected gear (unless the governor rpm is
exceeded). It is very important to use this braking
effect when going down grades.
2.3.4 – Retarders
Some vehicles have "retarders." Retarders help
slow a vehicle, reducing the need for using your
brakes. They reduce brake wear and give you
another way to slow down. There are four basic
types of retarders (exhaust, engine, hydraulic, and
electric). All retarders can be turned on or off by the
driver. On some vehicles the retarding power can be
adjusted. When turned "on," retarders apply their
braking power (to the drive wheels only) whenever
you let up on the accelerator pedal all the way.
Section 2 – Driving Safely Page 2-9
Version: July 2017
Commercial Driver’s License Manual – 2005 CDL Testing System
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