The seats must be safe for riders. All seats must be securely fastened to the bus, and not lose or missing.

Steering wheel play of more than 10 degrees (approximately 2 inches movement at the rim of a 20-inch steering wheel) can make it hard to steer.

When you discover a fire, call for help. You may use the fire extinguisher to keep minor truck fires from spreading to cargo before firefighters arrive.

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

If you're carrying open cargo, you can use the mirrors to check it. Special situations require more than regular mirror checks including; lane changes, turns, merges, and tight maneuvers. Use your mirrors to make sure the gap in traffic is large enough for you to enter safely.

When putting out the triangles, hold them between yourself and the oncoming traffic for your own safety, so other drivers can see you.

¾ seconds. At 55 mph this accounts for 142 feet traveled.

Vehicles must be equipped with emergency equipment: Fire extinguisher, spare electrical fuses unless the vehicle is equipped with circuit breakers, and warning devices for parked vehicles.

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.

You look for the hazards in order 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.

The use of brakes on a long and/or steep downgrade is only a supplement to the braking effect of the engine.

As part of your Vehicle inspection, make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured properly.

Tire Problems: too much or too little air pressure, bad wear. Less than 4/32-inch tread depth on front tires, less than 2/32 inch on other tires, cuts or other damage, tread separation, dual tires that come in contact with each other or parts of the vehicle, mismatched sizes, and radial and bias-ply tires used together.

Re-check the cargo and securing devices as often as necessary during a trip to keep the load secure. You need to inspect again: after you have driven for 3 hours or 150 miles, and after every break you take during driving.

Do a normal Vehicle inspection but pay special attention to the following items: tires, engine oil, engine coolant, engine belts, and hoses. High speeds create more heat for tires and the engine. In desert conditions the heat may build up to the point where it is dangerous.

If you stop on a two-lane road carrying traffic in both directions or on an undivided highway, place warning devices within 10 feet of the front or rear corners to mark the location of the vehicle and 100 feet behind and ahead of the vehicle, on the shoulder or in the lane you stopped in.

Placards are signs put on the outside of a vehicle that identify the hazard class of the cargo. A placarded vehicle must have at least four identical placards. They are put on the front, rear, and both sides.

The steering tires must have traction to steer the vehicle. Enough tread is especially important in winter conditions. You must have at least 4/32-inch tread depth in every major groove on front tires and at least 2/32 inch on other tires.

ABS is a computerized system that keeps your wheels from locking up during hard brake applications.

Retarders help slow a vehicle, reducing the need for using your brakes. 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.

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.

Use your horn when needed. However, it can startle others and could be dangerous when used unnecessarily.

The basic steps to be taken at any accident are to: protect the area, notify authorities, care for the injured.

Oil pressure. Should come up to normal within seconds after engine is started.

The distance your vehicle travels, in ideal conditions; from the time your eyes see a hazard until your brain recognizes it is perception distance.

In stab braking you deliberately keep locking and unlocking the wheels, and ABS is a computerized system that keeps your wheels from locking up during hard brake applications. Do not use Stab braking with ABS, use controlled braking instead.

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.

When a driver stops and reverses direction to get a better position while backing, it is scored as a "pull-up". Stopping without changing direction does not count as a pull-up.

Federal regulations require the driver and all passengers in a moving CMV to wear seat belts unless, the vehicle isn't equipped with them.

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

Serious traffic violations are excessive speeding, reckless driving, improper or erratic lane changes, following a vehicle too closely, traffic offenses committed in a CMV in connection with fatal traffic accidents, etc.

Pre-trip occurs before you leave for your trip, En-route occurs during any break you take while driving, and post-trip occurs when your route is finished.

Signal continuously. You need both hands on the wheel to turn safely. Don't cancel the signal until you have completed the turn.

If an oncoming driver has drifted into your lane, a move to your right is best. If that driver realizes what has happened, the natural response will be to return to his or her own lane.

The following are some causes of vehicle fires: spilled fuel, improper use of flares, under-inflated tires , duals that touch, short circuits, loose connections, improper fueling, loose fuel connections, flammable cargo, improperly sealed or loaded cargo or with poor ventilation.

You must make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured before each trip.

It's important to know what's going on behind and to the sides. Check your mirrors regularly. Check more often in special situations.

Make sure the parking brake is set, turn off the engine, and take the key with you. Turn on headlights (low beams) and four-way emergency flashers and get out of the vehicle.

If line of sight view is obstructed due to hill or curve, move the rear-most triangle to a point back down the road (up to 500 feet) so warning is provided.

Go to front of vehicle and check that low beams are on and both of the four-way flashers are working, check that high beams, parking, clearance, side-marker, and identification lights work. Turn on right turn signal and start walk-around inspection, then check the left turn.

Poor weight balance can make vehicle handling unsafe. Too much weight on the steering axle can cause hard steering. It can damage the steering axle and tires.

’t sleep enough, you "owe" more sleep to yourself. This debt can only be paid off by sleeping.

Avoid driving through deep puddles or flowing water if possible. If not, you should: slow down and place transmission in a low gear, and gently put on the brakes.

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

Back to the driver's side so that you can see better. Backing toward the right side is very dangerous because you can't see as well. If you back and turn toward the driver's side, you can watch the rear of your vehicle by looking out the side window.

The B:C type fire extinguisher is designed to work on electrical fires and burning liquids, not on wood.

You can drive a vehicle that carries hazardous materials if it does not require placards. If it requires placards, you cannot drive it unless your driver license has the hazardous materials endorsement.

With hydraulic systems a delay in braking, spongy or unusual feeling pedal, or pulling to one side or the other can mean there are issues.

When more cargo is piled up in a truck, the "center of gravity" moves higher up from the road. The truck becomes easier to turn over.

As part of your Vehicle inspection, make sure the truck is not overloaded and the cargo is balanced and secured properly.