Podcast
Questions and Answers
How can you know you have the engine speed and road speed to shift gears?
How can you know you have the engine speed and road speed to shift gears?
By using the sound of the engine to know when to shift
What is true about downshifting before you reach a long downhill grade?
What is true about downshifting before you reach a long downhill grade?
It helps prevent the brakes from overheating and losing braking power
When should you downshift for a curve?
When should you downshift for a curve?
Before entering the curve
What is the purpose of brake retarders?
What is the purpose of brake retarders?
Should you turn the retarder off when the road is wet or snow-covered?
Should you turn the retarder off when the road is wet or snow-covered?
How far ahead should you look while driving?
How far ahead should you look while driving?
What is a good reason for knowing what the traffic is doing on all sides?
What is a good reason for knowing what the traffic is doing on all sides?
Should you always be looking into the distance ahead?
Should you always be looking into the distance ahead?
What is a problem that you can have when using your mirrors?
What is a problem that you can have when using your mirrors?
Where do you place the three reflector triangles on a two-lane road?
Where do you place the three reflector triangles on a two-lane road?
Where do you place the three reflector triangles on a divided highway?
Where do you place the three reflector triangles on a divided highway?
What are three factors of total stopping distance with hydraulic brakes?
What are three factors of total stopping distance with hydraulic brakes?
What should you do if your vehicle hydroplanes?
What should you do if your vehicle hydroplanes?
How long does it take to stop a heavy vehicle going 55 mph on dry level road?
How long does it take to stop a heavy vehicle going 55 mph on dry level road?
What is probably your best driving speed when traffic is moving 35 mph in a 55 mph zone?
What is probably your best driving speed when traffic is moving 35 mph in a 55 mph zone?
How does tire pressure affect hydroplaning?
How does tire pressure affect hydroplaning?
How many times more distance does it take to stop when speed is doubled?
How many times more distance does it take to stop when speed is doubled?
What is a good rule as to the speed you should go when driving at night?
What is a good rule as to the speed you should go when driving at night?
When driving over 40 mph, how much space should you try to keep in front of you?
When driving over 40 mph, how much space should you try to keep in front of you?
What are some things to do if you are being tailgated?
What are some things to do if you are being tailgated?
Why can you never assume you will clear the heights posted at overpasses?
Why can you never assume you will clear the heights posted at overpasses?
You wish to turn right and you must swing wide. What should you do?
You wish to turn right and you must swing wide. What should you do?
If you are turning left, which lane should you use of two left turn lanes?
If you are turning left, which lane should you use of two left turn lanes?
At night where can you look to avoid the glare of oncoming traffic?
At night where can you look to avoid the glare of oncoming traffic?
What are some items to check especially before driving in winter weather?
What are some items to check especially before driving in winter weather?
How often should you check your tires when driving in very hot weather?
How often should you check your tires when driving in very hot weather?
How do you lessen chances of having to make sudden moves to avoid hazards?
How do you lessen chances of having to make sudden moves to avoid hazards?
What is a good policy for using your brakes when pulling off the road?
What is a good policy for using your brakes when pulling off the road?
In making a quick turn, what is a point to remember?
In making a quick turn, what is a point to remember?
What is controlled braking?
What is controlled braking?
What is the purpose of cargo blocking and bracing?
What is the purpose of cargo blocking and bracing?
Must you show your logbook to officers?
Must you show your logbook to officers?
How do you test hydraulic brakes for a leak with the vehicle stopped?
How do you test hydraulic brakes for a leak with the vehicle stopped?
How do you test hydraulic brakes for their stopping action?
How do you test hydraulic brakes for their stopping action?
What is the minimum amount of tread depth that your tires should look for?
What is the minimum amount of tread depth that your tires should look for?
When checking tires, what are some problems that you should look for?
When checking tires, what are some problems that you should look for?
What are some steering system defects to look for?
What are some steering system defects to look for?
What are some defects to look for in the suspension system?
What are some defects to look for in the suspension system?
In holding a steering wheel, what is the proper way to place your hands?
In holding a steering wheel, what is the proper way to place your hands?
What are some things to do when you are backing your vehicle?
What are some things to do when you are backing your vehicle?
Which of the following are causes of vehicle fires? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following are causes of vehicle fires? (Select all that apply)
What is the first thing you do if your vehicle catches fire while driving?
What is the first thing you do if your vehicle catches fire while driving?
Water can be used to extinguish this type of fire?
Water can be used to extinguish this type of fire?
What is the best way to put out a fire?
What is the best way to put out a fire?
What is the best thing to do if you are tired?
What is the best thing to do if you are tired?
Which of the following is true about alcohol?
Which of the following is true about alcohol?
If you do not have a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL, under what condition may you legally haul hazardous materials?
If you do not have a HAZMAT endorsement on your CDL, under what condition may you legally haul hazardous materials?
If you are asked to haul a placarded load you do not have HAZMAT endorsements, you should?
If you are asked to haul a placarded load you do not have HAZMAT endorsements, you should?
You should check your cargo how often?
You should check your cargo how often?
Overloading your trailer can result in the following EXCEPT:
Overloading your trailer can result in the following EXCEPT:
What are two factors in knowing when to shift?
What are two factors in knowing when to shift?
A pre-trip inspection should be performed?
A pre-trip inspection should be performed?
What is a vehicle condition report?
What is a vehicle condition report?
What may rust around the wheel nuts mean?
What may rust around the wheel nuts mean?
Wheels or rims that have been repaired by welding are:
Wheels or rims that have been repaired by welding are:
Exhaust system parts should not?
Exhaust system parts should not?
If the cargo contains any hazardous materials you must check to see if?
If the cargo contains any hazardous materials you must check to see if?
To keep your vehicle from rolling back when you start up, you should?
To keep your vehicle from rolling back when you start up, you should?
As soon as you see your trailer getting off the proper backing path, you should?
As soon as you see your trailer getting off the proper backing path, you should?
When traction is poor as in rain or snow, you should speed up?
When traction is poor as in rain or snow, you should speed up?
When backing a trailer you turn the steering wheel?
When backing a trailer you turn the steering wheel?
When backing a trailer you may make corrections to reposition your vehicle by?
When backing a trailer you may make corrections to reposition your vehicle by?
Whether backing a straight truck or a combination vehicle you back and turn?
Whether backing a straight truck or a combination vehicle you back and turn?
If you are using a helper when you are backing, the helper should?
If you are using a helper when you are backing, the helper should?
Some newer vehicles have progressive shifting which means?
Some newer vehicles have progressive shifting which means?
Downshifting requires knowing when to shift. To do this correctly you should?
Downshifting requires knowing when to shift. To do this correctly you should?
Before starting downhill, you want to be sure that you are in the proper gear. You should?
Before starting downhill, you want to be sure that you are in the proper gear. You should?
When going downhill in a vehicle with an automatic transmission you?
When going downhill in a vehicle with an automatic transmission you?
When turned on, brake retarders apply their power whenever?
When turned on, brake retarders apply their power whenever?
Besides looking for vehicles coming into your lane, looking for traffic means?
Besides looking for vehicles coming into your lane, looking for traffic means?
Besides watching traffic behind, you can use your rear mirrors to?
Besides watching traffic behind, you can use your rear mirrors to?
In turning you should look in your mirrors to make sure that?
In turning you should look in your mirrors to make sure that?
When merging with other traffic you should use your mirrors to make sure?
When merging with other traffic you should use your mirrors to make sure?
To be sure that you know what is happening on the highway ahead of you?
To be sure that you know what is happening on the highway ahead of you?
Convex mirrors show a wider area than flat mirrors but they also?
Convex mirrors show a wider area than flat mirrors but they also?
Two of the three good rules for using turn signals are?
Two of the three good rules for using turn signals are?
A third good rule for using turn signals is?
A third good rule for using turn signals is?
When you need to slow down, you may want to warn drivers behind you by?
When you need to slow down, you may want to warn drivers behind you by?
Because of the size of your vehicle you may wish to flash your lights to?
Because of the size of your vehicle you may wish to flash your lights to?
To make a tight turn with a large vehicle you may have to?
To make a tight turn with a large vehicle you may have to?
Should you have to stop your vehicle in the road to load cargo or passengers, you?
Should you have to stop your vehicle in the road to load cargo or passengers, you?
When should you help out other drivers by signaling when it is safe for them to pass?
When should you help out other drivers by signaling when it is safe for them to pass?
Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist you should?
Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist you should?
At dawn, dusk, or in rain or snow when it is hard for others to see you you might?
At dawn, dusk, or in rain or snow when it is hard for others to see you you might?
If you have to set out warning reflective triangles by the highway you hold them?
If you have to set out warning reflective triangles by the highway you hold them?
Slight melting will make ice wet. Which is more slippery?
Slight melting will make ice wet. Which is more slippery?
Why do empty trucks usually require greater stopping distances?
Why do empty trucks usually require greater stopping distances?
Empty buses may not require more stopping distance than loaded buses because?
Empty buses may not require more stopping distance than loaded buses because?
What is black ice?
What is black ice?
Which is a danger when traveling alongside other vehicles?
Which is a danger when traveling alongside other vehicles?
The amount of space you need to cross or to enter traffic is affected by?
The amount of space you need to cross or to enter traffic is affected by?
If a vehicle that is coming toward you has on high beams, you should?
If a vehicle that is coming toward you has on high beams, you should?
You should use your high beam headlights?
You should use your high beam headlights?
Before putting tire chains on your vehicle, you check to be sure that?
Before putting tire chains on your vehicle, you check to be sure that?
Roads usually become slippery when?
Roads usually become slippery when?
Antifreeze is effective?
Antifreeze is effective?
With a pressurized cooking system you should not?
With a pressurized cooking system you should not?
What should you do before you drive if you are feeling drowsy?
What should you do before you drive if you are feeling drowsy?
Since air pressure increases with temperature increase, you should?
Since air pressure increases with temperature increase, you should?
Speed limits that are posted at freeway off-ramps may not be?
Speed limits that are posted at freeway off-ramps may not be?
Study Notes
Engine and Gear Shifting
- Engine sounds indicate the right moment to shift gears, ensuring optimal performance.
- Downshifting before descending a long hill prevents brake overheating, maintaining braking efficiency.
- Always downshift before entering a curve for better control.
Braking Techniques
- Brake retarders assist in vehicle deceleration and reduce wear on braking systems.
- Turn off the retarder on wet or snowy roads to avoid loss of control.
- Controlled braking involves applying brakes firmly without locking the wheels.
Driving Awareness
- Maintain visual focus 12 to 15 seconds ahead while driving to anticipate hazards.
- Constantly assess traffic on all sides for lane changes or safe stops.
- Mirrors create blind spots; always check surroundings to ensure safety.
Vehicle Positioning and Cargo Safety
- On two-lane roads, place reflective triangles within 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet at the rear.
- Ensure cargo is secured with blocking and bracing to avoid shifting during transit.
Tire and Vehicle Checks
- Tire tread depth should be a minimum of 4/32 inches in the front and 2/32 inches in the back for safety.
- Inspect tires every 2 hours in hot weather to prevent blowouts.
- Check coolant, windshield washer fluid, and antifreeze before winter driving.
Safety in Various Conditions
- Hydroplaning risk increases with low tire pressure; maintain proper inflation.
- At night, adjust speed to stop within the range of your headlights.
- In bad weather, accelerate gradually to maintain traction.
Emergency Situations and Vehicle Fires
- If your vehicle catches fire, pull off the road to a safe area immediately.
- Water can extinguish tire fires, but should not be used for other types of fires.
Alcohol and Fatigue Management
- Understand that alcohol affects drivers similarly, regardless of the type consumed.
- Rest adequately to combat fatigue; lack of sleep impairs driving ability.
HAZMAT Requirements
- Only transport hazardous materials without a HAZMAT endorsement if placards are unnecessary.
- Always check cargo stability after 50 miles, every 3 hours, and after breaks.
Maneuvering and Signaling
- Use turn signals 100 feet prior to a turn and cancel signals immediately after.
- When merging, ensure there is sufficient space in traffic before entering.
Advanced Driving Techniques
- Shift using either tachometer or speedometer for smooth transitions.
- Use opposite steering techniques when backing up a trailer.
- Wet or melting ice is particularly slippery; drive with caution during these conditions.
General Vehicle Maintenance
- Regularly check for wheel nut rust, indicating possible looseness.
- Ensure steering and suspension systems are defect-free for optimal control.
Awareness of Surroundings
- While passing other vehicles, assume they have not seen you; always be prepared to stop.
- Use mirrors effectively to maintain awareness and ensure safe lane changes.
Understanding Road Conditions
- Recognize that road conditions can change; always drive with adaptability in mind.
- High beam headlights should be used responsibly, only when safe.
Overall Driving Strategy
- When approaching obstacles or turns, avoid applying the brakes sharply to maintain stability.
- Stay alert to the dynamics of the load; an overloaded trailer may perform poorly.
Conclusion
- Safety and awareness should always be the primary focus while driving, particularly for larger vehicles.
- Regular checks, proper techniques, and an understanding of vehicle dynamics are crucial for safe driving.
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Description
Test your knowledge for the Commercial Driver's License with these flashcards. Each card covers essential concepts like gear shifting and downshifting techniques essential for safe driving. Perfect for future truck drivers looking to master their skills.
