) to help you understand the materials better and gain an understanding for how that knowledge will fit into the overall picture.
"My own experience with the course itself was nothing short of amazing. To come into
the course with absolutely no prior knowledge of the subject, and to be able to grasp
the information, understand it, and retain it, has taken quite a bit off stress off me.
Now I know that when I do enroll in a school, I can focus on the driving aspects, and not
have to worry about the classroom side of things.
Review Questions - Click On The Picture To Begin...
These Questions Come From The Illinois CDL Manual
Quote From Page 128 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
When ready to turn:
- Check traffic in all directions.
- Keep both hands on the steering wheel during the turn.
- Do not change gears during the turn.
- Keep checking your mirror to make sure the vehicle does not hit anything on the inside of the turn.
- Vehicle should not move into oncoming traffic.
- Vehicle should finish turn in correct lane.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
During your driving exam, never change gears during a turn. However, only the tractor needs to complete the turn before you are allowed to shift. You do not have to wait for the trailer to straighten out.
Quote From Page 0 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
TruckingTruth's Advice:
With 6 inch spacing you're moving 400 pounds per hole so you need to move 3 holes to shift a minimum of 1,100 pounds (400 x 3 = 1,200).
With 4 inch spacing you're moving 250 pounds per hole so you need to move 5 holes to shift a minimum of 1,100 pounds (250 x 5 = 1,250).
Quote From Page 13 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
The most important aspect of traffic safety for yourself and others who share the road with you is that you personally inspect your vehicle. A vehicle defect found during an inspection could save you problems later. You could have a breakdown on the road that will cost you time and money, 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. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it "out of service" until it is repaired.
Quote From Page 70 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
More than half of truck driver deaths in accidents are the result of truck rollovers. 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. Fully loaded rigs are 10 times more likely to roll over in a crash than empty rigs.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Rollover accidents are extremely serious! Slow down before your turns, not during the turn. You can always speed up through a turn, but you may not be able to slow down enough to avoid an accident.
Quote From Page 130 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
If you are driving a bus, a school bus or a vehicle displaying placards, be prepared to observe the following procedures at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing is exempt):
- As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, activate the four-way flashers.
- Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail and set parking brake.
- Listen and look in both directions along the track for an approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train. If operating a bus, you must open the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
- Keep hands on the steering wheel as the vehicle crosses the tracks.
- Do not stop, change gears or change lanes while any part of your vehicle is proceeding across the tracks.
- The 4-way flashers should be deactivated after the vehicle crosses the tracks.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Tracks with signage that says "exempt" or "abandoned" are the only exceptions for placarded vehicles.
Quote From Page 0 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
Quote From Page 66 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
Check brake drums or discs, linings and hoses: Brake drums or discs must not have cracks longer than one-half the width of the friction area. Linings (friction material) must not be loose or soaked with oil or grease. They must not be dangerously thin. Mechanical parts must be in place, not broken or missing. Check the air hoses connected to the brake chambers to make sure they are not cut or worn due to rubbing.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Obviously, you don't want brake drums or discs to have any cracks at all. But regulations allow cracks as long as they are under on-half the width of the friction area.
Quote From Page 29 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
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 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 they are not deep, they do not work well.) Be especially careful driving through puddles. The water is often deep enough to cause hydroplaning.
Quote From Page 92 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
A shipper's certification, signed by the shipper, saying the shipment was prepared according to the rules.
Quote From Page 84 Of The Illinois CDL Manual:
Unbaffled liquid tankers (sometimes called "smooth bore" tanks) have nothing inside to slow down the flow of the liquid. Therefore, forward-and-back surge is very strong. Unbaffled tanks are usually those that transport food products (e.g., milk). (Sanitation regulations forbid the use of baffles because of the difficulty in cleaning the inside of the tank.) Be extremely cautious (slow and careful) in driving smooth bore tanks, especially when starting and stopping.
TruckingTruth's Advice:
Baffles make cleaning the inside of a tank vehicle very difficult. Since most food grade tankers have to be completely clean and sanitary before each load, it is very rare for food grade tankers to have baffles.
