CDL Visual Search and Mirrors

Good drivers look 12 to 15 seconds ahead. At highway speeds, this is about a quarter of a mile. This gives you time to adjust speed or change lanes to avoid hazards.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

Use high beams whenever you can to see further ahead, provided it is safe and legal. You must dim them when within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or when following another vehicle within 500 feet.

Study focusApply core CDL safe-driving rules to common road and vehicle situations.

Common trapMemorizing rules without applying them to driving scenarios.

The rule of thumb is 1 second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds under 40 mph. For speeds over 40 mph, add 1 additional second. A 60-foot truck at 55 mph needs 7 seconds of space.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

If you are being tailgated, increase the space in front of your vehicle. This allows you to brake more smoothly and gradually, reducing the chance that the tailgater will crash into your rear.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

You should brake to a safe speed before entering a curve. Once in the curve, maintain speed or accelerate slightly, as this helps stabilize the vehicle. Never brake hard in a curve.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

At night, your visibility is limited to the reach of your headlights. You must adjust your speed so you can safely stop within that visible distance.

Study focusUse inspection habits to catch unsafe defects before driving.

Common trapChecking only obvious items and missing brake, tire, coupling, or defect-report steps.

While avoiding fines is good, safety is the primary reason for inspections. A defect found during an inspection can prevent a breakdown or fatal crash.

Study focusUse inspection habits to catch unsafe defects before driving.

Common trapChecking only obvious items and missing brake, tire, coupling, or defect-report steps.

You should check your mirrors regularly (about every 5 to 8 seconds) to be aware of traffic around you and to monitor your vehicle and trailer.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

Speeding or driving too fast for conditions is the leading cause of fatal crashes involving large trucks.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

The rule is 1 second per 10 feet of length, plus 1 second if going over 40 mph. For a 60-foot truck, that is 6 seconds + 1 second = 7 seconds.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

To deal with an aggressive driver, do not engage. Get out of their way, avoid eye contact, ignore gestures, and report them if they are a severe danger.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

The 'snubbing' technique involves braking firmly to 5 mph below your safe speed, then releasing them to allow cooling, repeating as necessary while the engine brake does most of the work.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

Mirrors and antennas are exposed to the cold air and will freeze before the road surface. If ice forms on them, be prepared for black ice on the road.

Study focusChoose safe speed, spacing, and visual search habits for commercial vehicles.

Common trapDriving at passenger-car speeds without accounting for weight, space, weather, or grade.

Correct shifting ensures you have engine braking when needed and prevents stalling or getting stuck in neutral, which compromises your control of the vehicle.

Study focusUse inspection habits to catch unsafe defects before driving.

Common trapChecking only obvious items and missing brake, tire, coupling, or defect-report steps.