Indiana BMV CDL Class A & B Exam Prep

Vehicle Inspection and Safety

• Safety inspection of vehicles is required to prevent breakdowns and crashes.
• Federal and state laws mandate vehicle inspections, assessing safety before road use.
• Essential components to check include gauges, tires, brakes, lights, electrical connections, and cargo securement.

Steering and Suspension Systems

• Key steering parts include tie rods, steering wheels, hydraulic fluid reservoirs, and power steering cylinders.
• Suspension defects to look for are cracked spring hangers and missing leaves in leaf springs; severe defects lead to “out of service” status.

Emergency Equipment and Brakes

• Required emergency equipment includes fire extinguishers, spare electrical fuses, and warning devices like reflective triangles or flares.
• Minimum tread depth for front tires is 4/32 inches; for other tires, it's 2/32 inches.

Backing and Maneuvering

• Back toward the driver's side for better visibility; avoid right-side backing due to limited sightlines.
• Use a helper for backing to mitigate blind spots and establish hand signals for communicating movements.

Driving Techniques and Situational Awareness

• Always look 12 to 15 seconds ahead while driving; remain aware of vehicle traffic and brake lights.
• Total stopping distance consists of perception, reaction, and braking distances; speeds increase stopping distance quadratically (four times when speed doubles).

Handling Hazards and Emergencies

• Recognize hazards as any possible danger on the road; prepare emergency plans when encountered.
• In emergencies, sometimes steering away from obstacles can be safer than stopping.

Drowsiness and Distraction Prevention

• Combat drowsiness by getting sufficient sleep (8 to 9 hours) before driving.
• Avoid distractions like mobile devices and pre-adjust all vehicle settings before driving.

Handling Skids and Braking Systems

• Understand that vehicles with ABS prevent wheel lock-up; brake safely, applying necessary force without jerking.
• Brake gently if tires lose traction to maintain control, especially on slippery surfaces.

Accident Scene Procedures

• At accident scenes, protect the area, notify authorities, and provide care for injured parties to prevent further incidents.
• Tire fires often result from under-inflation or dual tires touching; be proactive in tire maintenance.

Load and Cargo Management

• Drivers must inspect cargo regularly, ensuring it is balanced, secured, and does not obstruct the driver's visibility or access to emergency equipment.
• It's essential to stop periodically (every 50 miles or after breaks) to verify cargo safety.

Fire Extinguisher Usage

• A B:C fire extinguisher is designed for electrical and liquid fires, while an A:B:C extinguisher works for ordinary combustibles too.
• Position yourself upwind when using an extinguisher to enhance safety and efficiency.

Hazardous Materials Awareness

• Hazardous materials are indicated on vehicles by placards that list the class of the cargo; multiple placards are mandatory for visibility.

Weight Ratings and Regulations

• GCWR is the manufacturer-specified weight rating that includes both the vehicle's and trailer's weight, crucial for safe towing.### Weight on Axles
• Insufficient weight on the steering axle leads to unsafe steering capabilities.
• Low weight on driving axles causes poor traction and may result in easy spinning of drive wheels.

Tie-Down Requirements

• The minimum number of tie-downs for any flatbed load is 2, based on 1 tie-down for every 10 feet.
• For a 20-foot load, 2 tie-downs are also the minimum required.

Cargo Coverage Reasons

• Cargo must be covered to prevent spillage endangering people nearby.
• Coverage also protects the cargo from adverse weather conditions.

Sealed Load Checks

• Inspection of sealed loads is not possible, but checking gross weight and axle weight limits is essential before transport.

Bus Interior Inspection

• Key items to inspect in a bus's interior include handholds and railings, floor covering, signaling devices like restroom emergency buzzers, emergency exit handles, and the safety of seats.
• All seats must be securely fastened to the bus for rider safety.

Hazardous Materials Transport by Bus

• Transportable hazardous materials via bus include small-arms ammunition labeled ORM-D, emergency hospital supplies, and drugs.

Hazardous Materials Prohibited on Bus

• Prohibited materials for transport include poison gas, explosives, radioactive materials, car batteries, and gasoline.

Standee Line

• Buses that allow standing must have a two-inch line, known as the standee line, showing where riders cannot stand.
• No rider is allowed to stand forward of the rear of the driver's seat.

Disruptive Passengers

• Discharging a disruptive passenger must be done with safety in mind for both the rider and others.
• It is critical not to let such passengers off in an unsafe location.