New York DMV CDL Drivers Manual (NY) 2018
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It is easy to miss seeing them while you are backing. These are subjects like basic vehicle control, space management, communicating, vehicle inspection, road rules and road sign meanings. New York State Laws and Rules.
Armed Forces active, retired, reserve ID or DD2 form for an original CDL. However, do not forget why you are looking for the hazards—they may turn into emergencies. Interstate commercial drivers must have their medical examination performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.
DMV Driver Handbook in New York - We also include access to your New York specific rules, regulations, fees, written test locations, skills tests locations, forms etc. You can view the Quick Review online, or you can download and print the Quick Review for remote study when you are not online.
This truck driver training manual is a general online overview of 2018 CDL regulations in the United States. In the future, we will update this to show specifics for each state legislation. If you're new to the idea of trucking as a career learn. For specific rules from your state, go to printable. Section 1: INTRODUCTION Who Needs a CDL? Note: Employees of school districts, private schools, and community colleges who operate 15-passenger vans must have a CDL with a passenger transport vehicle PV endorsement. The DL must be carried to validate the CLP CFR, Title 49 §§383. Signing this form means you agree to submit to a chemical test to determine the alcohol or drug content of your blood. If you refuse to sign this form, Department of Motor Vehicles DMV will not issue or renew your DL. A medical report dated within the last 2 years is required for any CDL application and then every 2 years after that. Note: Completed MER and MEC forms may be taken to a DMV field office or mailed directly to your local DMV for updating. Mail the MER and MEC at least 4 weeks prior to the expiration of your previous medical or your privilege to drive CMVs may become invalid. Interstate commercial drivers must have their medical examination performed by a certified medical examiner listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The National Registry lists medical examiners that have been trained, tested, and certified on the medical standards in the FMCSA regulations to perform medical examinations on CMV drivers. Medical examiners will provide CMV drivers a federal MEC. Drivers may be given a citation for driving out of class if their medical certificate expires and may also be removed from their vehicle by a law enforcement officer. Note: Customers who do not meet the minimum medical standards are not qualified to obtain a CDL for the purpose of transporting interstate commerce, passengers, or hazardous materials. These customers may be eligible for a restricted CDL. If issued, the CDL will have the following restrictions: — May not transport passengers commercially or transport materials which require placards. This document is a certified copy of the original the original is always retained by the issuing authority and will contain an impressed seal or an original stamped impression. The certified copy will be returned to you. Armed Forces active, retired, reserve ID or DD2 form for an original CDL. The document must contain your name and social security number SSN. Your SSN will be verified with the Social Security Administration while you are in the office. Both you and your employer sign this form. This fee is good for 12 months from the application date. The CLP is good for a maximum of 180 days and you may renew for an additional 180 days without retaking the knowledge tests, provided the expiration date of the CLP does not exceed a period of 1-year from the application date. Scores for passed segments of the skills test are only valid during the initial issuance first 180 days of the CLP. Passed segments of the skills test vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test must be retaken if the CLP is renewed. You are allowed 3 attempts to pass the knowledge test s and a total of 3 attempts to pass the entire skills test on a single application. If you fail any segment of the skills tests vehicle inspection, basic control skills, or road test , it will count as 1 failure towards the maximum 3 attempts you are allowed. Example: Failing the vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test counts as a 3-time failure or any failure combination equaling 3. However, if you are required to take the skills test for separate types of vehicles Class A or passenger transport vehicle , you are allowed 3 skills test attempts for the Class A vehicle and 3 skills test attempts for the passenger transport vehicle. If you fail the basic skills test or the road test, there will be a retest fee charged upon your return to take the subsequent test. A temporary United States DL may be acceptable, depending on your state. The tank must be purged if it previously contained a hazardous material. The CDL holder must possess the appropriate class license and endorsements necessary to operate the CMV. Endorsements A special endorsement is also required to drive the following types of vehicles. The endorsement shows as a single letter on the DL. Drivers must have a noncommercial Class A license. Special Certificates Special certificates may sometimes be required in addition to a CDL, depending on the type of vehicle or load you carry. Note: It is unlawful to drive a school bus or transit vehicle while using a wireless cell telephone for non-work purposes. Emergency calls to law enforcement, a health care provider, a fire department, or other emergency services are permitted. Apply at DMV Field Offices for the Following Certificates: Ambulance Driver Certificate—required for driving an ambulance used commercially in emergency service. Persons who have an ambulance driver certificate must submit a copy of the MER and MEC forms to DMV every 2 years. Although the person who qualifies for a HAM is not required to have a CDL, commercial motor vehicle penalties and sanctions will apply. Verification of Transit Training VTT Document—requires drivers of transit bus vehicles to comply with specified training requirements. Transit bus vehicles provide the public with regularly scheduled transportation for which a fare is charged does not include general public paratransit vehicles. Drivers who have a school bus driver certificate or school pupil activity bus certificate do not need a VTT. School bus drivers 65 years of age and older must submit annual MER and MEC forms to DMV. Note: The driver and all passengers in a farm labor vehicle are required to use seat belts. General You may not drive a CMV if you are disqualified for any reason. You will lose your CDL for at least 3 years if the offense occurs while you are operating a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials. You will lose your CDL for life for a second offense. You will lose your CDL for life if you use a CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances. You will be put out-of-service for 24 hours if you have any detectable amount of alcohol under. To get a CDL, you must pass knowledge and skills tests. This handbook will help you pass the tests. This handbook is not a substitute for a truck driver training class or program. Formal training is the most reliable way to learn the many special skills required for safely driving a large commercial vehicle and becoming a professional driver in the trucking industry. If the applicant is adding an endorsement, but not upgrading to a higher classification, waive all knowledge and endorsement tests that were completed or waived on the previous application, including HazMat, if the new application is started within 12 months of the previous renewal date or original CDL issue date. In order to obtain this endorsement, you are also required to pass a Transportation Security Administration TSA background check. Not required but optional for commercial Class A or B license holders. Note: Allow for 2—3 hours if taking all tests. You may take the knowledge test at any DMV field office. Use of Testing Aids are Prohibited The use of testing aids is strictly prohibited during the knowledge test. This includes, but is not limited to: cheat sheets, or electronic communication devices such as a cell phone, hand-held computer, etc. During the vehicle inspection test, formerly known as pre-trip, DMV does not allow the use of testing aids, other than the vehicle inspection guide Section 11 in this handbook. If you are caught using anything other than the inspection guide, the commercial skills test will be marked as a failure. The use of electronic devices, such as cell phones, blue tooth, CB radios, etc. Also, people waiting in the testing vicinity are prohibited from using hand signals and shouting instructions. If this occurs, the test will be discontinued and marked as a commercial skills test failure. If markings are found on the vehicle being used for the test to help with passing the vehicle inspection or basic control skills test, formerly known as skills test, including but not limited to: writing on the vehicle, tape, paint markings that do not appear like they belong, or markings on the curbs, walls, or trees that would help the applicant maneuver the vehicle for the basic control skills test, the test will be discontinued and marked as a failure. There are 3 types of general skills that will be tested: vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test, formerly known as drive test. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Any vehicle that has components marked or labeled cannot be used for the vehicle inspection test. All skills tests must be conducted in English. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a vehicle inspection and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why. This test takes approximately 40 minutes. If you do not pass the vehicle inspection test, the other tests will be postponed. There is no additional fee for retaking the vehicle inspection test on the same application. See Section 11 for vehicle inspection test information. Basic Control Skills Test. You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done. You will be scored on your ability to properly perform each exercise. This test takes approximately 30 minutes. Failure of any skills test ends the test. A retest fee is due for each basic control skills retest. See Section 12 for skill test information. You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations on a DMV-specified route. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive. The test takes approximately 45—60 minutes. If you fail the road test, a retest fee is charged for each additional road test. See Section 13 for road test information. Out-of-State CDL Skills Test Results If you have a US CLP and have completed your CDL training and CDL skills tests vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and road test in another state than which you are applying, the results will be sent electronically from the state you were originally tested in. You will need to go to a DMV CDL office see page 1-5 to finalize your CDL application. Failure to return to a DMV CDL office may result in your application expiring. CDL Restrictions Your CDL will be restricted to the type of vehicle you use for the driving test. For example, if your test vehicle does not have air brakes, you will be restricted to driving vehicles without air brakes. If your passenger transport vehicle carries 15 persons or less including the driver, you will be restricted to driving a small size bus. Troops to Trucks The Troops to Trucks program allows DMV to waive the CDL skills test for qualified military service members who are, or were employed within the last year, in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a CMV on public roads and highways. These forms may be downloaded from the DMV website. Active duty members will need to show their military ID, while veterans will need to provide a DD214—Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, showing their discharge was within the last year. You must contact your local DMV office to obtain information regarding the requirement for submitting these documents. For the purpose of complying with the requirements for medical certification, it is important to know how you are using the CMV. The following information will help you decide how to self-certify: 1. Intrastate commerce is when you drive a CMV within a state and you do not meet any of the descriptions above for interstate commerce. If you operate in both intrastate commerce and interstate commerce, you must choose interstate commerce. Most states do not issue a CDL that is excepted from driver qualification requirements. Check with your local DMV. Check with your local DMV. Check with your local DMV. If you operate a CMV, you shall be deemed to have given your consent to alcohol testing. You will lose your CDL for at least 3 years if the offense occurs while you are operating a CMV that is placarded for hazardous materials. You will lose your CDL for life for a second offense. You will lose your CDL for life if you use a CMV to commit a felony involving controlled substances. You will be put out of service for 24 hours if you have any detectable amount of alcohol under. If you are convicted of a second violation in your personal vehicle or CMV, you will lose your CDL for life. A traffic accident for driving unsafely counts as 1 point. Any accidents you contributed to or were responsible or at fault for, are normally counted as 1 point. A violation received in a CMV carries 1½ times the point count. A Class A or B driver who does not have a special certificate or an endorsement may be allowed 2 additional points before being considered a negligent operator. Convictions reported by other states are added to your driving record and may result in license sanctions. If you have an out-of-state CDL, any conviction while operating in a different state, you may be reported to your home state. Note: When a commercial driver is cited in a noncommercial vehicle, the driver may be eligible to attend traffic school. This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving. This is true no matter what type of vehicle you were driving. You must do this when you apply for a commercial driving job. The safety belt design holds the driver securely behind the wheel during an accident, helps the driver control the vehicle, and reduces the chance of serious injury or death. If you do not wear a safety belt, you are 4 times more likely to be fatally injured if you are thrown from the vehicle. All commercial vehicles must stop at locations posted for CHP testing and inspection. Any officer, who has reason to believe a CMV is not safely loaded or the height, width, length, or weight of a vehicle and load is unlawful, is authorized to require the driver to stop and submit to an inspection, measurement, or weighing of the vehicle. The officer may have the driver stop in a suitable area and reload or remove any part of the load. Any person driving a CMV over a highway or bridge illegally is liable for all damage caused to the highway or bridge. When the driver is not the owner of the vehicle but is operating it with the permission of the owner, the owner and driver may both have to pay for the damage. To enforce these requirements, ARB is authorized to inspect all vehicles and equipment for excessive smoke, tampering, and compliance with fleet rules and issue citations with substantial penalties for non-compliance. Commercial diesel vehicle inspections are performed by ARB inspection teams at border crossings, CHP weigh stations, fleet facilities and randomly selected roadside locations. All diesel trucks and buses that operate in most states must be upgraded with a diesel particulate filter DPF to reduce exhaust emissions beginning January 1, 2012. Lighter and older heavier diesel trucks must be replaced with 2010 model year engines or equivalent starting January 1, 2015. By January 1, 2023, nearly all trucks and buses will need to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent. The regulation does provide a variety of flexibility options tailored to fleets operating low use vehicles and fleets operating in selected locations like agricultural and construction. A properly affixed label and legible manufacturer emission control label is required as proof that the engine meets emission standards. A commercial vehicle or school bus may not idle for any time if at a school. All 53 feet or longer box trailers must be SmartWay certified or aerodynamically retrofitted to meet minimum standards of operation. All diesel fueled TRU trailers and TRU generator gen sets based in certain states must be registered with ARB, labeled with an ARB Identification Number IDN and must meet in-use standards based upon the TRU engine model-year. Note: Some vehicles are conditionally exempted from the 40-foot maximum length e. The front bumper of a vehicle must not extend more than 2 feet ahead of the fenders, cab, or radiator, whichever is foremost. Additional extensions up to 36 inches in front or 10 feet in the rear of some buses may be added to transport bicycles. An articulated bus or trolley coach cannot exceed a length of 60 feet. A semitrailer being towed by a motor truck or truck tractor may exceed 40 feet when certain conditions are met. A combination of a truck tractor and a trailer coupled together shall not exceed a total length of 65 feet. A combination of vehicles consisting of a truck tractor, semitrailer, and trailer cannot be longer than 75 feet, providing the length of either trailer does not exceed 28 feet 6 inches. If posted, cities and counties may prohibit a combination of vehicles in excess of 60 feet in length on highways they control. Extension devices are allowed with restrictions. The load length on any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not be more than 75 feet long measured from the front of vehicle or load to the back of vehicle or load. There are exceptions for booms, masts of shovels and cranes, or water-well drilling and servicing equipment. A load composed solely of vehicles may extend 4 feet ahead of the front tires or front bumper. On a semitrailer, the wheelbase extends from the center of the last axle of the towing vehicle to the center of the last axle on the semitrailer. Width of Vehicles and Loads The outside width of the body of the vehicle or load must not exceed 102 inches 8½ feet. The width of a vehicle with pneumatic air-filled tires, measured from the outside of one-wheel to the outside of the opposite wheel, must not exceed 108 inches 9 feet. Permitted devices, limited to door handles, hinges, cable cinchers, chain binders, and placard holders may extend 3 inches 6 inches on one side for vehicles used for recreational purposes on each side of the vehicle or load. Required devices, limited to lights, mirrors, or other devices, may extend up to 10 inches on each side. Cities and counties may post signs on highways which they control, to permit wider vehicles, or prohibit vehicles wider than 96 inches 8 feet. Special mobile equipment and special construction and highway maintenance equipment may not be more than 120 inches 10 feet wide. Motor coaches or buses may be 102 inches wide. When operated by common carriers for hire in urban or suburban service, they may be 104 inches wide. When a vehicle is carrying loosely piled agricultural products, such as hay, straw, or leguminous plants in bulk, rather than crated, baled, boxed, or stacked, the load and racks that hold the load, may be no more than 120 inches wide. Variances for Farm Equipment Implements of husbandry farm equipment are generally exempted from width and length limitations if they are being operated, transported,or towed over a highway incidental to normal farming operations. Weight Limits—General Most states have the authority to post signs at bridges and along state highways stating the maximum weight they will sustain. Counties and cities may post higher or lower weight limit signs along highways and at bridges they control. Alternate routes may be given for vehicles which are too heavy for posted highways and bridges. Axle Weight Limits The gross weight which can be carried by the wheels of any 1 axle must not exceed 20,000 pounds 20,500 pounds for buses. Additionally, the load limit stated by the tire manufacturer molded on at least one sidewall shall not be exceeded. The weight carried by the wheel or wheels on one end of an axle must not exceed 10,500 pounds. This limitation does not apply to vehicles transporting livestock. The gross weight on any 1 wheel, or wheels, supporting one end of an axle and resting on a roadway must not exceed 9,500 pounds. Weight-to-Axle Ratio Highways and bridges are designed to carry only a certain amount of weight per foot of distance between axles. Vehicles carrying heavy loads must not put too much weight on any point. The total gross weight in pounds placed on the highway by any group of 2 or more consecutive axles must not exceed that given for the respective distance in that table. In addition to the weight specified in the previously mentioned table, 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles may carry a gross weight of 34,000 pounds each, if the distance between the first and last axles of the sets of axles is 36 feet or more. The gross weight on each set of tandem axles must not exceed 34,000 pounds and the gross weight on 2 consecutive sets of tandem axles must not exceed 68,000 pounds. A driver moving a load under a special permit may not change the route. Exception: to avoid violating a local city traffic regulation, the driver may detour the route on nonresidential streets only and return to the route as soon as possible. CHP Uniform Weight Standards A standard for enforcing weight laws has been established by the CHP. After applying the variation factor, any vehicle exceeding the axle weight, axle group weight, or gross weight limits by 100 pounds or more will be issued a citation and required either to adjust the load to make it legal or obtain an overweight permit before proceeding. Cargo containing hazardous materials may be allowed to proceed as loaded, provided unloading or load adjustment cannot be handled with reasonable safety to the driver and the public. Livestock and field-loaded bulk perishable agricultural products destined for human consumption being transported from the field to the first point of processing have a special exemption. The vehicles transporting livestock and perishable agricultural products will be cited and allowed to proceed as long as the weight does not exceed legal limits by 1,000 pounds on any axle or axle group of a single truck, or 2,000 pounds gross weight on a combination of vehicles. Also, excess load penalties may be imposed. It is against the law in most states to drive or move, on any street or highway, any vehicle which is wider, higher, or heavier than the limits described here. Motor Carrier Permits Any person who operates any CMV either for hire or privately not for hire must obtain a motor carrier permit MCP. Note: An MCP CMV does not include vehicles operated by household goods carriers, pickup trucks, or 2-axle daily rental trucks noncommercial use weighing less than 26,001 pounds gross. Unified Carrier Registration UCR Interstate or foreign motor carriers transporting property are required to obtain UCR, as outlined in the final regulations issued by the Federal Unified Carrier Registration Act of 2005. However, for 2-lane undivided highways, the maximum speed limit is 55 mph, unless posted for a higher speed. On some highways, the maximum speed limit is 70 mph, but only if there are signs posted showing 70 mph. No person shall drive at such a slow speed as to impede or block normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, for compliance with the law, or when the size and weight of the vehicle or combination makes reduced speed unavoidable. When no signs are posted, these vehicles must be driven in the right-hand traffic lane or as close as possible to the right edge or curb. On a divided highway with 4 or more traffic lanes in one direction, these vehicles may also be driven in the lane just to the left of the right-hand lane. When overtaking or passing another vehicle going in the same direction, drivers of such vehicles must use either: 1 the designated lane, 2 the lane just to the left of the right-hand lane, or 3 the right-hand traffic lane when such use is permitted. Other Rules You are required to comply with federal driver hours of service regulations when you are involved in INTERstate commerce. You may perform work, except for driving, after being on duty for 14 hours. However, if a motor carrier has commerical motor vehicles operating 7 days a week, the driver is not eligible to drive after having been on duty for 70 hours in an 8-day period. Drivers of CMVs must be in compliance with the hours of service requirements of the CFR, Title 49 §395, and Title 13 §§1201—1213. The record of duty status must be presented for inspection immediately upon request by any regularly employed and salaried police officer, or deputy sheriff. There may be instances when you do not need to maintain a record of duty status. You or your authorized representative must submit the report within 10 days of the accident, whether you caused the accident or not, and even if the accident occurred on private property. If you do not report the accident to DMV, your driving privilege will be suspended. Note: CDL holders may downgrade to a noncommercial DL during any mandatory suspension period to be eligible to obtain a restricted license. All tests and fees will be required to upgrade when eligible. However, your employer may require you to notify him or her immediately. Financial Responsibility FR Requirements Motor Carriers of Property. Most CMVs transporting property are under the regulation of DMV, whose liability and property damage requirements are listed below. The following limits do not apply to pickup trucks as defined in some state DMV regulations and 2-axle daily rental trucks with a GVWR less than 26,001 pounds when operated in noncommercial use. Information on transporting hazardous materials or wastes may be obtained from the Department of Toxic Substances Control DTSC and CHP. Note: Not all coverage requirements are listed in this section. For questions related to liability insurance for motor carriers, call DMV Motor Carrier Permit Operations at 916 657-8153. Motor carriers must maintain evidence of insurance on file during the active life of the permit. To avoid MCP suspension, contact your insurance provider to submit valid liability coverage. Proof of FR Drivers must show evidence of financial responsibility prior to the operation of the vehicle. Evidence is met if the vehicle displays exempt plates or is owned, leased by, or under the direction of, the U. These federally mandated programs provide for the equitable collection and distribution of vehicle license fees and motor fuel taxes for vehicles traveling throughout the 48 contiguous U. Under the IRP, jurisdictions must register apportioned vehicles which includes issuing license plates and cab cards or proper credentials, calculating, collecting and distributing IRP fees, auditing carriers for accuracy of reported distance and fees, and enforcing IRP requirements. Registrant responsibilities under the plan include applying for IRP registration with base jurisdiction, providing proper documentation for registration, paying appropriate IRP registration fees, properly displaying registration credentials, maintaining accurate distance records, and making records available for jurisdiction review. The basic concept behind IFTA is to allow a licensee motor carrier to license in a base jurisdiction for the reporting and payment of motor fuel use taxes. Under the IFTA, a licensee is issued one set of credentials which will authorize operations through all IFTA member jurisdictions. The motor fuel use taxes collected pursuant to the IFTA are calculated based on the number of miles kilometers traveled and the number of gallons liters consumed in the member jurisdictions. The licensee files one quarterly tax return with the base jurisdiction by which the licensee will report all operations through IFTA member jurisdictions. An IFTA licensee must retain records to support the information reported on the IFTA quarterly tax return. The IRP registrant and IFTA licensee may be the vehicle owner or operator. A recreational vehicle, vehicle displaying restricted plates, bus used in the transportation of chartered parties, or government-owned vehicle, is not an apportionable vehicle; except that a truck or truck tractor, power unit in a combination of vehicles having a GVW of 26,000 pounds 11,793. Qualified motor vehicle does not include recreational vehicles. If the vehicle you operate is registered under IRP and you are motor carrier licensed under IFTA, then you are required to comply with the mandatory record keeping requirements for operating the vehicle. A universally accepted method of capturing this information is through the completion of an Individual Vehicle Distance Record IVDR , sometimes referred to as a Driver Trip Report. This document reflects the distance traveled and fuel purchased for a vehicle that operates interstate under apportioned IRP registration and IFTA fuel tax credentials. Although the actual format of the IVDR may vary, the information that is required for proper record keeping does not. An example of an IVDR completed in entirety for each trip can be found in Figure 1. An individual IVDR is filled out for each vehicle. Not only do the trips need to be logged, but the fuel purchases need to be documented as well. You must obtain a receipt for all fueling and include it with your completed IVDR. There are different routes that a driver may take, and most of the miles may be within one state or province. Whether or not the distance you travel is primarily in one jurisdiction or spread among several jurisdictions, all information for the trip must be recorded. This includes the dates, routes, odometer readings, and fuel purchases. By completing the IVDR in full and keeping all records required by both the IRP and IFTA, you will ensure that you and your company are in compliance with all state and provincial laws surrounding fuel and distance record keeping requirements. The IVDR serves as the source document for the calculation of fees and taxes that are payable to the jurisdictions in which the vehicle is operated, so these original records must be maintained for a minimum of 4 years. In addition, these records are subject to audit by the taxing jurisdictions. Failure to maintain complete and accurate records could result in fines, penalties, and suspension or revocation of IRP registrations and IFTA licenses. For additional information on the IRP and requirements related to the IRP, contact your base jurisdiction motor vehicle department or IRP, Inc. Additional information can be found on the IRP, Inc. There is a record keeping video on the website home page available in English, Spanish, and French. For additional information on IFTA and requirements related to IFTA, contact the appropriate agency in your base jurisdiction. You will also find useful information about the agreement at the official repository of IFTA at. Section 2: DRIVING SAFETY This section contains knowledge and safe driving information that all CDL holders should know. You must pass a test on this information to get a CDL. This section does not have specific information on air brakes, combination vehicles, doubles, or passenger vehicles. When preparing for the vehicle inspection test, you must review the material in Section 11 in addition to the information in this section. This section does have basic information on hazardous materials HazMat that all drivers should know. If you need a HazMat endorsement, you should study Section 9. 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, an accident caused by the defect. Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. Vehicle inspections should be done routinely before operating the vehicle. Review the last vehicle inspection report. Make sure the vehicle has been released for service by the maintenance mechanics, if applicable. The motor carrier must repair any items in the report that affect safety, and certify on the report that repairs were made or were unnecessary. Remember, when you get behind the wheel, you not the mechanic are responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle. There is detailed information on vehicle inspections in Section 11 of this handbook. After-Trip Inspection and Report You should do an after-trip inspection at the end of the trip, day, or tour of duty on each vehicle you operated. It may include filling out a vehicle condition report listing any problems you find. The inspection report helps a motor carrier know when the vehicle needs repairs. No fabric should show through the tread or sidewall. After a tire has been changed, stop a short while later and recheck tightness of nuts. Suspension System Defects The suspension system holds up the vehicle and its load. It keeps the axles in place. Therefore, broken suspension parts can be extremely dangerous. Exhaust System Defects A broken exhaust system can let poison fumes into the cab or sleeper berth. Emergency Equipment Vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment. You must make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip. If the cargo contains hazardous materials, you must inspect for proper papers and placarding. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do an inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why. The following 7-step inspection method should be useful. You should do a vehicle inspection the same way each time so you will learn all the steps and be less likely to forget something. Notice the general condition. Look for damage or the vehicle leaning to one side. Look under the vehicle for fresh oil, coolant, grease, or fuel leaks. Check the area around the vehicle for hazards to vehicle movement people, other vehicles, objects, low-hanging wires, limbs, etc. Vehicle Inspection Guide Step 1: Vehicle Overview Review Last Vehicle Inspection Report. Drivers may have to make a vehicle inspection report in writing each day. The motor carrier must repair any items in the report that affect safety and certify on the report that repairs were made or were unnecessary. You must sign the report only if defects were noted and certified to be repaired or repairs are not needed. You may have to raise the hood, tilt the cab secure loose things so they do not fall and break something , or open the engine compartment door. The light on the dash should come on and then turn off. If it stays on, the ABS is not working properly. For trailers only, if the yellow light on the left rear of the trailer stays on, the ABS is not working properly. Pressure should come up to normal within seconds after the engine is started. Pressure should build from 50 to 90 pounds per square inch psi within 3 minutes. Build the air pressure to governor cut-out usually around 120—140 psi. Should be in normal range s. Should begin gradual rise to normal operating range. Should begin gradual rise to normal operating range. Oil, coolant, charging circuit warning, and ABS lights should go out right away. Check the Mirrors and the Windshield Inspect mirrors and windshield for cracks, dirt, illegal stickers, or other obstructions to seeing clearly. Clean and adjust as necessary. Check the Safety Belt Check that the safety belt is securely mounted, adjusts, and latches properly, and is not ripped or frayed. Step 4: Turn off the Engine and Check the Lights Make sure the parking brake is set, turn off the engine, and take the key with you. Turn on the headlights low beams and 4-way emergency flashers, and get out of the vehicle. If air powered, check for leaks. Note: Checks of the brake, turn signal, and 4-way flasher functions must be done separately. 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 5 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 handbook. Place the vehicle into a low gear. Federal and state laws forbid operating an unsafe vehicle. If you see, hear, smell, or feel anything that might mean trouble, check it out. Drivers of trucks and truck tractors transporting cargo must inspect the securement of the cargo within the first 50 miles of a trip and every 150 miles or every 3 hours whichever comes first after. Report anything affecting safety or possibly leading to a mechanical breakdown. Keep a copy of your report in the vehicle for 1 day. That way, the next driver can learn about any problems you have found. These questions may be on your test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsection 2. Fasten your seatbelt when on the road. Apply the parking brake when you leave your vehicle. 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. When starting a bus on a level surface with good traction, there is often no need for the parking brake. 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. 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. 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. Avoid backing whenever you can. When you park, try to park so you will be able to pull forward when you leave. These rules are discussed 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, 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. 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. Backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you cannot see as well. 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 when you can. There are blind spots you cannot see. 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. When backing a trailer, turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. Once the trailer starts to turn, you must turn the wheel the other way to follow the trailer. Whenever you back with a trailer, try to position your vehicle so you can back in a straight line. Back slowly so you can make corrections before you get too far off course. As soon as you see the trailer getting off the proper path, correct it by turning the steering wheel in the direction of the drift. When backing, make pull-ups to reposition your vehicle when needed. If you cannot get your vehicle into the right gear while driving, you will have less control. Most heavy vehicles with manual transmissions require double clutching to change gears. 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, do not try to force it. Return to Neutral, release the clutch, increase the engine speed to match the road speed, and try again. Knowing When to Shift Up. Watch your tachometer, and shift up when your engine reaches the top of the range. Learn what speeds each gear is good for. Then, by using the speedometer, you will know when to shift up. With either method, you may learn to use engine sounds to know when to shift. 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. 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. 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. They reduce brake wear and give you another way to slow down. There are 4 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. Because these devices can be noisy, be sure you know where their use is permitted. When your drive wheels have poor traction, the retarder may cause them to skid. Therefore, you should turn the retarder off whenever the road is wet, icy, or snow covered. These questions may be on the test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsections 2. Not looking properly is a major cause of accidents. Importance of Looking far Enough Ahead. Because stopping or changing lanes can take a lot of distance, knowing what the traffic is doing on all sides of you is very important. You need to look well ahead to make sure you have room to make these moves safely. How far Ahead to Look. Most good drivers look at least 12 to 15 seconds ahead. That means looking ahead the distance you will travel in 12 to 15 seconds. At highway speeds it is about a quarter of a mile. If you are not looking that far ahead, you may have to stop too quickly or make quick lane changes. Looking 12 to 15 seconds ahead does not mean not paying attention to things that are closer. Good drivers shift their attention back and forth, near and far. Look for vehicles coming onto the highway, into your lane, or turning. Watch for brake lights from slowing vehicles. By seeing these things far enough ahead, you can change your speed, or change lanes if necessary to avoid a problem. 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. Look for hills and curves— anything for which you will have to slow or change lanes. Pay attention to traffic signals and signs. Traffic signs may alert you to road conditions where you may have to change speed. Check your mirrors regularly. Check more often in special situations. Every registered motor vehicle must have at least 2 mirrors, including 1 attached to the left-hand side, and located to give a clear view of the roadway to the rear for a distance of at least 200 feet. Mirror adjustment should be checked prior to the start of any trip and can only be checked accurately when the trailer s are straight. You should check and adjust each mirror to show some part of the vehicle. This will give you a reference point for judging the position of the other images. You need to make regular checks of your mirrors to be aware of traffic and to check your vehicle. Check your mirrors for vehicles on either side and in back of you. In an emergency, you may need to know whether you can make a quick lane change. Use your mirrors to spot overtaking vehicles. Check your mirrors regularly to know where other vehicles are around you, and to see if they move into your blind spots. Use the mirrors to keep an eye on your tires. It is one way to spot a tire fire. If you are carrying open cargo, you can use the mirrors to check. Look for loose straps, ropes, or chains. Watch for a flapping or ballooning tarp. Special situations require more than regular mirror checks. These are lane changes, turns, merges, and tight maneuvers. You need to check your mirrors to make sure no one is alongside you or about to pass you. In turns, check your mirrors to make sure the rear of your vehicle will not hit anything. When merging, use your mirrors to make sure the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely. Any time you are driving in close quarters, check your mirrors often. Make sure you have enough clearance. How to use Mirrors. Use mirrors correctly by checking them quickly and understanding what you see. When using your mirrors while driving on the road, check them quickly. Look back and forth between the mirrors and the road ahead. Do not focus on the mirrors for too long. Otherwise, you will travel quite a distance without knowing what is happening ahead. This is often helpful. But everything appears smaller in a convex mirror than it would if you were looking at it directly. Things also seem farther away than they really are. It is important to realize this and to allow for it. Signaling what you intend to do is important for safety. Here are some general rules for signaling. Signal well before you turn. It is the best way to keep others from trying to pass you. You need both hands on the wheel to turn safely. Do not cancel the signal until you have completed the turn. Do not forget to turn off your turn signal after you have turned if you do not have self-canceling signals. Put your turn signal on before changing lanes. Change lanes slowly and smoothly. Warn drivers behind you when you see you will need to slow down. A few light taps on the brake pedal—enough to flash the brake lights—should warn following drivers. Use the 4-way emergency flashers for times when you are driving very slowly or are stopped. The size of your vehicle may make it hard for drivers behind you to see hazards ahead. If you see a hazard that will require slowing down, warn the drivers behind by flashing your brake lights. Most car drivers do not know how slow you have to go to make a tight turn in a large vehicle. Give drivers behind you warning by braking early, slowly and gradually. Truck and bus drivers sometimes stop in the roadway to unload cargo or passengers, or to stop at a railroad crossing. Warn following drivers by flashing your brake lights. Do not stop suddenly. Drivers often do not realize how fast they are catching up to a slow vehicle until they are very close. If you must drive slowly, alert following drivers by turning on your emergency flashers if it is legal. Laws regarding the use of flashers differ from one state to another. Check the laws of the states where you will drive. Do not Direct Traffic. Some drivers try to help out others by signaling when it is safe to pass. You should not do this, it could cause an accident. You could be blamed and it could cost you many thousands of dollars. To help prevent accidents, let them know you are there. Whenever you are about to pass a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist, assume they do not 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 an accident even if they do not see or hear you. When it is Hard to see. At dawn, dusk, in rain, or snow, you need to make yourself easier to see. If you are having trouble seeing other vehicles, other drivers will have trouble seeing you. Turn on your lights, use the headlights, not just the identification or clearance lights. Use the low beams; high beams can bother people in the daytime as well as at night. When Parked at the Side of the Road. When you pull off the road and stop, be sure to turn on the 4-way emergency flashers. This is important at night. Do not trust the taillights to give warning. Drivers have crashed into the rear of a parked vehicle because they thought it was moving normally. If you must stop on a road or the shoulder of any road, you must put out your emergency warning devices within 10 minutes. If line of sight view is obstructed due to hill or curve, move the rear-most triangle to a point back down the road so warning is provided. When putting out the triangles, hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety. So other drivers can see you. Use Your Horn When Needed. Your horn can let others know you are there. It can help to avoid an accident. Use your horn when needed. However, it can startle others and could be dangerous when used unnecessarily. You must adjust your speed depending on driving conditions. These include traction, curves, visibility, traffic and hills. The distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions, from the time your eyes see a hazard until your brain recognizes it. Keep in mind certain mental and physical conditions can affect your perception distance. It can be affected greatly depending on visibility and the hazard itself. The average perception time for an alert driver is 1¾ seconds. At 55 mph this accounts for 142 feet traveled. The distance you will continue to travel, in ideal conditions, before you physically hit the brakes, in response to a hazard seen ahead. The average driver has a reaction time of ¾ second to 1 second. At 55 mph this accounts for 61 feet traveled. The distance your vehicle will travel, in ideal conditions, while you are braking. At 55 mph on dry pavement with good brakes, it can take about 216 feet. 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 419 feet. The Effect of Speed on Stopping Distance. The faster you drive, the greater the impact or striking power of your vehicle. When you double your speed from 20 to 40 mph the impact is 4 times greater. The braking distance is also 4 times longer. Triple the speed from 20 to 60 mph and the impact and braking distance is 9 times greater. At 60 mph, your stopping distance is greater than the length of a football field. Increase the speed to 80 mph and the impact and braking distance are 16 times greater than at 20 mph. High speeds greatly increase the severity of accidents and stopping distances. By slowing down, you can reduce braking distance. The Effect of Vehicle Weight on Stopping Distance. The heavier the vehicle, the more work the brakes must do to stop it and the more heat they absorb. The brakes, tires, springs, and shock absorbers on heavy vehicles are designed to work best when the vehicle is fully loaded. Empty trucks require greater stopping distances because an empty vehicle has less traction. Control and Stopping Requirements. The service brake must hold the vehicle or combination of vehicles stationary on any grade on which it is operated under all conditions of loading or unloading. Traction is friction between the tires and the road. There are some road conditions that reduce traction and call for lower speeds. It will take longer to stop, and it will be harder to turn without skidding, when the road is slippery. Wet roads can double stopping distance. You must drive slower to be able to stop in the same distance as on a dry road. On packed snow, reduce speed by a half, or more. If the surface is icy, reduce speed to a crawl and stop driving as soon as you can safely do so. Sometimes it is hard to know if the road is slippery. Shady parts of the road will remain icy and slippery long after open areas have melted. When the temperature drops, bridges will freeze before the road will. Be especially careful when the temperature is close to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Slight melting will make ice wet. Wet ice is much more slippery than ice that is not wet. 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. An easy way to check for ice is to open the window and feel the front of the mirror, mirror support, or antenna. If there is ice on these, the road surface is probably starting to ice up. Right after it starts to rain, the water mixes with oil left on the road by vehicles. This makes the road very slippery. If the rain continues, it will wash the oil away. In some weather, water or slush collects on the road. When this happens, your vehicle can hydroplane. It is like water skiing—the tires lose their contact with the road and have little or no traction. You may not be able to steer or brake. You can regain control by releasing the accelerator and pushing in the clutch. This will slow your vehicle and let the wheels turn freely. If the vehicle is hydroplaning, do not use the brakes to slow down. If the drive wheels start to skid, push in the clutch to let them turn freely. It does not take a lot of water to cause hydroplaning. Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 30 mph if there is a lot of water. Hydroplaning is more likely if tire pressure is low, or the tread is worn. The grooves in a tire carry away the water; if the grooves are not deep, they do not work well. Road surfaces where water can collect can create conditions that cause a vehicle to hydroplane. Watch for clear reflections, tire splashes, and raindrops on the road. These are indications of standing water. If you take a curve too fast, 2 things can happen. The tires can lose their traction and continue straight ahead, so you skid off the road. Or, the tires may keep their traction and the vehicle rolls over. Tests have shown that trucks with a high center of gravity can roll over at the posted speed limit for a curve. Slow to a safe speed before you enter a curve. Braking in a curve is dangerous because it is easier to lock the wheels and cause a skid. Slow down as needed. Do not ever exceed the posted speed limit for the curve. Be in a gear that will let you accelerate slightly in the curve. This will help you keep control. Fog, rain, or other conditions may require that you slow down to be able to stop in the distance you can see. At night, you cannot see as far with low beams as you can with high beams. Slow down when you must use low beams. Vehicles going the same direction at the same speed are not likely to run into one another. In most states, speed limits are lower for trucks and buses than for cars. It can vary as much as 15 mph. Use extra caution when you change lanes or pass on these roadways. Drive at the speed of the traffic, if you can without going at an illegal or unsafe speed. Keep a safe following distance. The main reason drivers exceed speed limits are to save time. Anyone trying to drive faster than the speed of traffic will not be able to save much time. The risks involved are not worth it. If you go faster than the speed of other traffic, you will have to keep passing other vehicles. This increases the chance of an accident, and it is more tiring. Fatigue increases the chance of an accident. Going with the flow of traffic is safer and easier. Also, look for and heed warning signs indicating the length and steepness of the grade. You must use the braking effect of the engine as the principal way of controlling your speed on downgrades. The braking effect of the engine is greatest when it is near the governed rpms and the transmission is in the lower gears. Save your brakes so you will be able to slow or stop as required by road and traffic conditions. Shift your transmission to a low gear before starting down the grade and use the proper braking techniques. Observe the posted speed limits at all times when approaching and driving through a work zone. Watch your speedometer, and do not allow your speed to creep up as you drive through long sections of road construction. Decrease your speed for adverse weather or road conditions. Decrease your speed even further when a worker is close to the roadway. You must not follow the vehicles listed below any closer than 300 feet. The rule does not apply during overtaking and passing, when there are 2 or more lanes for traffic in each direction, or in a business or residential district. When large vehicles are being driven in caravan on the open highway, at least 100 feet must be left between them to allow other vehicles to overtake and pass them. These questions may be on the test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsections 2. When things go wrong, space gives you time to think and take action. You need to manage space to have space available when something goes wrong. While this is true for all drivers, it is very important for large vehicles. They take up more space and require more space for stopping and turning. The Need for Space Ahead. You need space ahead in case you must suddenly stop. According to accident reports, the vehicle that trucks and buses most often run into is the one in front of them. The most frequent cause is following too closely. Remember, if the vehicle ahead of you is smaller than yours, it can probably stop faster than you can. You may crash if you are following too closely. How much space should you keep in front of you? One good rule says you need at least 1 second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph. At greater speeds, you must add 1 second for safety. For example, if you are driving a 40-foot vehicle, you should leave 4 seconds between you and the vehicle ahead. In a 60-foot rig, you will need 6 seconds. Over 40 mph, you would need 5 seconds for a 40-foot vehicle and 7 seconds for a 60-foot vehicle. 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. Compare your count with the rule of 1 second for every 10 feet of length. If you are driving a 40-foot truck and only counted up to 2 seconds, you are too close. Drop back a little and count again until you have 4 seconds of following distance or 5 seconds, if you are going over 40 mph. After a little practice, you will know how far back you should be. Remember to add 1 second for speeds above 40 mph. Also remember that when the road is slippery, you need more space to stop. Heavy vehicles are often tailgated when they cannot keep up with the speed of traffic. This often happens when you are going uphill. If a heavy load is slowing you down, stay in the right lane if you can. Going uphill, you should not pass another slow vehicle unless you can get around quickly and safely. In a large vehicle, it is often hard to see whether a vehicle is close behind you. Drivers trapped behind slow vehicles often follow closely. Many car drivers follow large vehicles closely during bad weather, especially when it is hard to see the road ahead. If you have to slow down or turn, signal early, and reduce speed very gradually. Opening up room in front of you will help you to avoid having to make sudden speed or direction changes. It also makes it easier for the tailgater to get around you. It is safer to be tailgated at a low speed than a high speed. Do not turn on your taillights or flash your brake lights. Follow the suggestions above. 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. Staying Centered in a Lane. You need to keep your vehicle centered in the lane to keep safe clearance on either side. If your vehicle is wide, you have little room to spare. Traveling Next to Others. Find an open spot where you are not near other traffic. When traffic is heavy, it may be hard to find an open spot. If you must travel near other vehicles, try to keep as much space as possible between you and them. Also, drop back or pull forward so that you are sure the other driver can see you. Strong winds make it difficult to stay in your lane. The problem is usually worse for lighter vehicles. This problem can be especially bad coming out of tunnels. Do not drive alongside others if you can avoid it. Make sure you always have overhead clearance. Re-paving or packed snow may have reduced the clearances since the heights were posted. An empty van is higher than a loaded one. Clearing under a bridge when your CMV was loaded does not mean it will clear it when you are empty. If you are not sure you can make it, take another route. Warnings are often posted on low bridges or underpasses, but sometimes they are not. There can be a problem clearing objects along the edge of the road, such as signs, trees, or bridge supports. Where this is a problem, drive a little closer to the center of the road. It is easy to miss seeing them while you are backing. Also check for other hazards at the same time. This space can be very small when a vehicle is heavily loaded. This is often a problem on dirt roads and in unpaved yards. Do not take a chance on getting hung up. Drainage channels across roads can cause the ends of some vehicles to drag. Cross such depressions carefully. Railroad tracks can also cause problems, particularly when pulling trailers with a low underneath clearance. Do not take a chance on getting hung up halfway across. Large vehicles can hit other vehicles or objects during turns because of wide turning and off-tracking. Keep the rear of your vehicle close to the curb. This will stop other drivers from passing you on the right. A following driver may think you are turning left and try to pass you on the right. You may crash into the other vehicle as you complete your turn. Give them room to go by or to stop. However, do not back up for them, because you might hit someone behind you. On a left turn, make sure you have reached the center of the intersection before you start the left turn. If you turn too soon, the left side of your vehicle may hit another vehicle because of off-tracking. If there are 2 turning lanes, always take the right turn lane. Do not start in the inside lane because you may have to swing right to make the turn. Drivers on your left can be more readily seen. Allow more room if your vehicle is heavily loaded. A hazard is any road condition or other road user driver, motorcyclist, bicyclist, and pedestrian that is a possible danger. For example, a car in front of you is headed toward the freeway exit, the brake lights come on and they begin braking hard. This could mean the driver is uncertain about taking the off ramp. They might suddenly return to the highway. This car is a hazard. If the driver of the car cuts in front of you, it is no longer just a hazard; it is an emergency. Seeing Hazards Lets you be Prepared. You will have more time to act if you see hazards before they become emergencies. In the example above, you might make a lane change or slow down to prevent an accident if the car suddenly cuts in front of you. Seeing this hazard gives you time to check your mirrors and signal a lane change. Being prepared reduces the danger. A driver who did not see the hazard until the slow car pulled back on the highway in front of them would have to do something very suddenly. Sudden braking or a quick lane change is more likely to lead to an accident. Learning to See Hazards. There are often clues to help you see hazards. The more you drive, the better you can learn to see hazards. This section will talk about hazards that you should be aware of. Move-over laws have been enacted, which require drivers to slow and change lanes when approaching a roadside incident to lessen the problem. Signs are posted on roadways in states that have such laws. When approaching an authorized emergency vehicle stopped on the roadside or a work zone, you should proceed with caution by slowing and yielding the right-of-way by changing into a lane not next to that of the authorized emergency vehicle or work zone if safety and traffic conditions permit. If a lane change is unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution while maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions. When people are working on the road, it is a hazard. There may be narrower lanes, sharp turns, or uneven surfaces. Other drivers are often distracted and drive unsafely. Workers and construction vehicles may get in the way. Drive slowly and carefully near work zones. Use your 4-way emergency flashers or brake lights to warn drivers behind you. Sometimes the pavement drops off sharply near the edge of the road. Driving too near the edge can tilt your vehicle toward the side of the road. This can cause the top of your vehicle to hit roadside objects signs, tree limbs. Also, it can be hard to steer as you cross the drop off, going off the road, or coming back on. Things that have fallen on the road can be hazards. They can be a danger to your tires and wheel rims. They can damage electrical and brake lines. They can be caught between dual tires and cause severe damage. Some obstacles that appear to be harmless can be very dangerous. For example, cardboard boxes may be empty, but they may also contain some solid or heavy material capable of causing damage. The same is true of paper and cloth sacks. It is important to remain alert for objects of all sorts, so you can see them early enough to avoid them without making sudden, unsafe moves. Freeway and turnpike exits can be particularly dangerous for commercial vehicles. Off ramps and on ramps often have speed limit signs posted. Remember, these speeds may be safe for automobiles, but may not be safe for larger vehicles or heavily loaded vehicles. Exits that go downhill and turn at the same time can be especially dangerous. The downgrade makes it difficult to reduce speed. Braking and turning at the same time can be a dangerous practice. Make sure you are going slowly enough before you get on the curved part of an off ramp or on ramp. Some clues to this type of hazard are discussed below. People who cannot see others are a very dangerous hazard. Be alert for drivers whose vision is blocked. Vans, loaded station wagons, and cars with the rear window blocked are examples. Rental trucks should be watched carefully. Their drivers are often not used to the limited vision they have to the sides and rear of the truck. In winter, vehicles with frosted, icecovered, or snow-covered windows are hazards. Vehicles may be partly hidden by blind intersections or alleys. If you only can see the rear or front end of a vehicle but not the driver, then he or she cannot see you. Always be prepared to stop. Delivery Trucks can Present a Hazard. Drivers of step vans, postal vehicles, and local delivery vehicles are often in a hurry and may suddenly step out of their vehicle or drive their vehicle into the traffic lane. Parked Vehicles can be Hazards. People may start to get out of them, or they may suddenly start up and drive into your way. Watch for movement inside the vehicle or movement of the vehicle itself that shows people are inside. Watch for brake lights or backup lights, exhaust, and other clues that a driver is about to move. Be careful of a stopped bus. Passengers may cross in front of or behind the bus, and they often cannot see you. Pedestrians and Bicyclists can Also be Hazards. Walkers, joggers, and bicyclists may be on the road with their back to the traffic, so they cannot see you. Sometimes they wear portable stereos with headsets, so they cannot hear you either. This can be dangerous. On rainy days, pedestrians may not see you because of hats or umbrellas. They may be hurrying out of the rain and may not pay attention to the traffic. People who are distracted are hazards. Watch for where they are looking. If they are looking elsewhere, they cannot see you. Be alert even when they are looking at you. They may believe they have the right of way. Children tend to act quickly without checking traffic. Children playing with one another may not look for traffic and are a serious hazard. Drivers or pedestrians talking to one another may not be paying close attention to the traffic. People working on or near the roadway are a hazard clue. The work creates a distraction for other drivers and the workers themselves may not see you. Someone selling ice cream is a hazard clue. Children may be nearby and may not see you. Drivers changing a tire or fixing an engine often do not pay attention to the danger roadway traffic is to them. They are often careless. Jacked up wheels or raised hoods are hazard clues. Accidents are particularly hazardous. People involved in the accident may not look for traffic. Passing drivers tend to look at the accident. People often run across the road without looking. Vehicles may slow or stop suddenly. People in and around shopping areas are often not watching traffic because they are looking for stores or looking into store windows. Confused drivers often change direction suddenly or stop without warning. Confusion is common near freeway or turnpike interchanges and major intersections. Tourists unfamiliar with the area can be very hazardous. Clues to tourists include car-top luggage and out-of-state license plates. Unexpected actions stopping in the middle of a block, changing lanes for no apparent reason, backup lights suddenly going on are clues to confusion. Hesitation is another clue, including driving very slowly, using brakes often, or stopping in the middle of an intersection. You may also see drivers who are looking at street signs, maps, and house numbers. These drivers may not be paying attention to you. Motorists who fail to maintain normal speed are hazards. Seeing slow moving vehicles early can prevent an accident. Some vehicles, by their nature, are slow and seeing them is a hazard clue mopeds, farm machinery, construction machinery, tractors, etc. This is a red triangle with an orange center. Vehicles displaying this emblem are not designed to attain a speed greater than 25 mph. Drivers Signaling a Turn may be a Hazard. Drivers signaling a turn may slow more than expected or stop. If they are making a tight turn into an alley or driveway, they may go very slowly. If pedestrians or other vehicles block them, they may have to stop on the roadway. Vehicles turning left may have to stop for oncoming vehicles. Drivers in a Hurry. Drivers may feel your commercial vehicle is preventing them from getting where they want to go on time. Such drivers may pass you without a safe gap in the oncoming traffic, cutting too close in front of you. Drivers entering the road may pull in front of you in order to avoid being stuck behind you, causing you to brake. Be aware of this and watch for drivers who are in a hurry. Drivers who are sleepy, have had too much to drink, are on drugs, or who are ill are hazards. Driver Body Movement as a Clue. Drivers look in the direction they are going to turn. Drivers making over-the-shoulder checks may be going to change lanes. These clues are most easily seen in motorcyclists and bicyclists. Watch other road users and try to tell whether they might do something hazardous. Conflicts occur at intersections where vehicles meet, at merges such as turnpike on ramps and where there are needed lane changes such as the end of a lane, forcing a move to another lane of traffic. Other situations include slow moving or stalled traffic in a traffic lane, and accident scenes. Watch for other drivers who are in conflict because they are a hazard to you. When they react to this conflict, they may do something that will put them in conflict with you. Continue to learn to see hazards on the road. However, do not forget why you are looking for the hazards—they may turn into emergencies. You look for the hazards to have time to plan a way out of any emergency. When you see a hazard, think about the emergencies that could develop and figure out what you would do. Always be prepared to take action 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. These questions may be on the test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsections 2. Whenever you are driving a vehicle and your full attention is not on the driving task, you are putting yourself, your passengers, other vehicles, and pedestrians in danger. Distracted driving can cause accidents, resulting in injury, death or property damage. Activities inside of the vehicle that can distract your attention include: talking to passengers; adjusting the radio, CD player or climate controls; eating, drinking or smoking; reading maps or other literature; picking up something that fell; talking on a cell phone or CB radio; reading or sending text messages; using any type of telematic or electronic devices such as navigation systems, pagers, personal digital assistant, computers, etc. Approximately 5,500 people are killed each year on U. Drivers who use a hand-held device are more likely to get into an accident serious enough to cause injury. NHTSA distracted driving website,. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers of CMVs to use hand-held mobile telephones. Your CDL will be disqualified after 2 or more convictions of any state law on hand-held mobile telephone use while operating a CMV. Disqualification is 60 days for the second offense within 3 years and 120 days for 3 or more offenses within 3 years. Motor carriers must not allow nor require drivers to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving. There is an emergency exception that allows you to use your hand-held mobile telephones if necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services. Research shows the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event e. Dialing drivers took their eyes off the forward roadway for an average of 3. At 55 mph or 80. Your primary responsibility is to operate a motor vehicle safely. To do this, you must focus your full attention on the driving task. Note that hands-free devices are no less likely than hand-held cell phones to cause you to become distracted. Attention is diverted from the driving task while using either device. In most states, you are not allowed to use an electronic device while driving unless you are using a hands-free device. Even these devices are unsafe to use when you are driving down the road. Additionally, motor carriers are prohibited from requiring or allowing their drivers to engage in texting while driving. Texting means manually entering text into, or reading text from, an electronic device. This includes, but is not limited to, short message service, emailing, instant messaging, a command or request to access a World Wide Web page, or engaging in any other form of electronic text retrieval or entry, for present or future communication. Electronic device includes, but is not limited to, a cellular telephone; personal digital assistant; pager; computer; or any other device used to enter, write, send, receive, or read text. Your CDL will be disqualified after 2 or more convictions of any state law on texting while operating a CMV. Disqualification is 60 days for the second offense within 3 years and 120 days for 3 or more offenses within 3 years. No motor carrier shall allow or require its drivers to engage in texting while driving. There is an emergency exception that allows you text if necessary to communicate with law enforcement officials or other emergency services. Texting is the most alarming distraction because it involves both physical and mental distraction simultaneously. Research shows that the odds of being involved in a safety-critical event e. Sending or receiving text takes your eyes from the road for an average of 4. At 55 mph, you would travel 371 feet, or the length of an entire football field — without looking at the roadway. If drivers react a half-second slower because of distractions, accidents double. Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a mobile phone, even if they intend to use the hands-free function. Leave early to allow yourself time to stop to eat. Not recognizing other distracted drivers can prevent you from perceiving or reacting correctly in time to prevent an accident. Give a distracted driver plenty of room and maintain your safe following distance. Be very careful when passing a driver who seems to be distracted. That driver may not be aware of your presence, and they may drift in front of you. Aggressive driving and road rage is not a new problem. Crowded roads leave little room for error, leading to suspicion and hostility among drivers and encouraging them to take personally the mistakes of other drivers. Aggressive driving is the act of operating a motor vehicle in a selfish, bold, or pushy manner, without regard for the rights or safety of others. One sign of an aggressive driver is a driver changing lanes frequently and abruptly without notice. Road rage is operating a motor vehicle with the intent of doing harm to others or physically assaulting a driver or their vehicle. Do not allow yourself to become distracted by talking on your cell phone, eating, etc. Expect delays because of traffic, construction, or bad weather and make allowances. Take a deep breath and accept the delay. Try to imagine why he or she is driving that way. Whatever their reason, it has nothing to do with you. Keep your hands on the wheel. Avoid making any gestures that might anger another driver, even seemingly harmless expressions of irritation like shaking your head. Do not challenge them by speeding up or attempting to hold-your own in your travel lane. These questions may be on the test. If you cannot answer them all, re-read Subsections 2. Drivers cannot see hazards as quickly as in daylight, so they have less time to respond. Drivers caught by surprise are less able to avoid an accident. The problems of night driving involve the driver, the roadway, and the vehicle. Good vision is critical for safe driving. Your control of the brake, accelerator, and steering wheel is based on what you see. If you cannot see clearly, you will have trouble identifying traffic and roadway conditions, spotting potential trouble or responding to problems in a timely manner. Because seeing well is so critical to safe driving, you should have your eyes checked regularly by an eye specialist. You may never know you have poor vision unless your eyes are tested. If your DL says corrective lenses are required, it is illegal to move a vehicle without using corrective lenses. If your normal corrective lenses are broken or lost, you can use the spare lenses to drive safely. Tinted lenses cut down the light that you need to see clearly under night driving conditions. Drivers can be blinded for a short time by bright light. It can take several seconds to recover from glare. Even 2 seconds of glare blindness can be dangerous. A vehicle going 55 mph will travel more than half the distance of a football field during that time. Fatigue and Lack of Alertness. Fatigue is physical or mental tiredness that can be caused by physical or mental strain, repetitive tasks, illness or lack of sleep. Just like alcohol and drugs, it impairs your vision and judgment. Fatigue causes errors related to speed and distance, increases your risk of being in an accident, causes you to not see and react to hazards as quickly; and affects your ability to make critical decisions. When you are fatigued, you could fall asleep behind the wheel and crash, injuring or killing yourself or others. Fatigued or drowsy driving is one of the leading causes of traffic accidents. NHTSA estimates that 100,000 police-reported accidents a year are the result of drowsy driving. Drivers may experience short bursts of sleep lasting only a few seconds or fall asleep for longer periods of time. Either way, the chance of an accident increases dramatically. At-Risk Groups The risk of having an accident due to drowsy driving is not uniformly distributed across the population. Accidents tend to occur at times when sleepiness is most pronounced, for example, during the night and in the mid-afternoon. Most people are less alert at night, especially after midnight. This is particularly true if you have been driving for a long time. Thus individuals who drive at night are more likely to have fall-asleep accidents. Research has identified young males, shift workers, commercial drivers, especially long-haul drivers and people with untreated sleep disorders or with short-term or chronic sleep deprivation as being at increased risk for having a fall-asleep accident. At least 15 percent of all heavy truck accidents involve fatigue. A congressionally mandated study of 80 longhaul truck drivers in the United States and Canada found drivers averaged less than 5 hours of sleep per day. NTSB, 1990 For each truck driver fatality, another 3 to 4 people are killed NHTSA, 1994. However, many people cannot tell if or when they are about to fall asleep. It is a major cause of fatal accidents. If you notice any signs of fatigue, stop driving and go to sleep for the night or take a 15 — 20 minute nap. Are you at Risk? Many heavy motor vehicle accidents occur between midnight and 6 a. It will eventually wear off. Do not rely on caffeine to prevent fatigue. While they may keep you awake for a while, they will not make you alert. If you are drowsy, the only safe cure is to get off the road and sleep. If you do not, you risk your life and the lives of others. In the daytime there is usually enough light to see well. This is not true at night. Some areas may have bright street lights, but many areas will have poor lighting. On most roads you will probably have to depend entirely on your headlights. Less light means you will not be able to see hazards as well as in daytime. Road users who do not have lights are hard to see. There are many accidents at night involving pedestrians, bicyclists, and animals. Even when there are lights, the road scene can be confusing. Traffic signals and hazards can be hard to see against a background of signs, shop windows, and other lights. Drive slower when lighting is poor or confusing. Drive slowly enough to be sure you can stop in the distance you can see ahead. Drunk drivers and drivers under the influence of drugs are a hazard to themselves and to you. Be especially alert around the closing times for bars and taverns. Watch for drivers who have trouble staying in their lane or maintaining speed, who stop without reason, or show other signs of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. At night your headlights will usually be the main source of light for you to see by and for others to see you. You cannot see nearly as much with your headlights as you see in the daytime. With low beams you can see ahead about 250 feet and with high beams about 350-500 feet. You must adjust your speed to keep your stopping distance within your sight distance. This means going slowly enough to be able to stop within the range of your headlights. Otherwise, by the time you see a hazard; you will not have time to stop. Night driving can be more dangerous if you have problems with your headlights. Dirty headlights may give only half the light they should. This cuts down your ability to see, and makes it harder for others to see you. Make sure your lights are clean and working. Headlights can be out of adjustment. If they do not point in the right direction, they will not give you a good view and they can blind other drivers. Have a qualified person make sure they are adjusted properly. No vehicle may be driven with only parking lights on. However, they may be used as signals or when the headlamps are also lighted. At night your turn signals and brake lights are even more important for telling other drivers what you intend to do. Make sure you have clean, working turn signals and brake lights. It is more important at night than in the daytime to have a clean windshield and clean mirrors. Bright lights at night can cause dirt on your windshield or mirrors to create a glare of its own, blocking your view. Most people have experienced driving toward the sun just as it has risen or is about to set, and found that they can barely see through a windshield that seemed to look okay in the middle of the day. Clean your windshield on the inside and outside for safe driving at night. Make sure you are rested and alert. If you are drowsy, sleep before you drive! Even a nap can save your life or the lives of others. If you wear eyeglasses, make sure they are clean and unscratched. Do not wear sunglasses at night. Do a complete vehicle inspection of your vehicle. Pay attention to checking all lights and reflectors, and cleaning those you can reach. Glare from your headlights can cause problems for drivers coming toward you. They can also bother drivers going in the same direction you are, when your lights shine in their rearview mirrors. Dim your lights before they cause glare for other drivers. Dim your lights within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following another vehicle within 500 feet. Avoid Glare From Oncoming Vehicles. Do not look directly at lights of oncoming vehicles. Look slightly to the right at a right lane or edge marking, if available. This increases glare for oncoming drivers and increases the chance of an accident. Use High Beams When you Can. Some drivers make the mistake of always using low beams. This seriously cuts down on their ability to see ahead. Use high beams when it is safe and legal to do so. Use them when you are not within 500 feet of an approaching vehicle. Also, do not let the inside of your cab get too bright. This makes it harder to see outside. Keep the interior light off, and adjust your instrument lights as low as you can to still be able to read the gauges. If you Get Sleepy, Stop at the Nearest Safe Place. People often do not realize how close they are to falling asleep even when their eyelids are falling shut. If you can safely do so, look at yourself in a mirror. If you look sleepy, or you just feel sleepy, stop driving! You are in a very dangerous condition. The only safe cure is to sleep. Fog on highways can be extremely dangerous. Fog is often unexpected, and visibility can deteriorate rapidly.
NY Driver's Manual The NY Department of Motor Vehicles DMV provides the Form MV-21 online also offered in. We have several such permit test practice quizzes on ePermitTest. Drive slower when lighting is poor or confusing. Motor carriers must not allow nor require drivers to use a hand-held mobile telephone while driving. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. This lets you use some power through the curve to help the vehicle be more stable while turning.
