How to drive a tractor‐trailer

Individuals desiring for a career change may have considered learning to drive a tractor-trailer for a number of valid and attractive reasons, but have remained hesitant to make the jump. After all, where would one stand the greatest chance of success in finding employment after training? The cost of learning to drive a tractor-trailer can be prohibitive to a potential student, especially if there is no assurance of a job waiting. While it is true that truck drivers are and have been in great demand in the job market, an employer wants to know that they are entrusting a very expensive piece of equipment to someone that is adequately trained with the skills to protect their investment and the desire to make money.

From the standpoint of the least expensive education with the greatest possibility of landing a good position, joining the military may perhaps be the best. In the time of a singular enlistment length, young people can learn through a combination of training and experience to drive a tractor-trailer on a proficient level. Upon separating from the military, they have the skill and experience that employers desire, along with a fair amount of actual daily experience.

Many national trucking companies sponsor students through training in learning to drive tractor-trailer in exchange that the student will be employed by them upon their successful completion. While this sounds like and is a good opportunity in many cases, be aware that they may be some payback for failing to meet the agreed upon commitment. If a student goes this route, make certain that all contracts and documents are examined by an attorney prior to signing them, to ensure that there are no misunderstandings or surprises. Most of these companies desire long-haul drivers, so make certain that is the type of position desired before signing on to a company sponsored program of these types.

Lastly, we have all seen the late night television commercials for local schools training people to “drive the big rigs”. While it would be inaccurate and unfair to state that all of these schools are a scam designed to alleviate the naive of their monies, it would be a reasonable statement to assess that many of them are just that. A three week training course to learn to drive tractor-trailer is inadequate, plain and simple. A student that has just completed a training course this short in duration has little chance of landing any job, let alone a good job. Make certain in choosing a training school that the course is of appropriate length, and check the placement success of past graduates prior to paying any tuition.

Of all the skills that new truck driving students learn, downshifting gives them the most problems. It is essential to learn this technique because unlike driving a car, downshifting in a truck aids in braking. In some parts of the country grades are so steep that without proper downshifting, disaster is certain. Fear not, because downshifting is easy and with a little practice becomes second nature.

Step 1

Accelerate up through the gears in your tractor trailer. A good training method is getting on and off the highway. This will give you ample time to accelerate all the way up your transmission and then a slow ascending way to downshift into your lower gears.

Step 2

Depending on your transmission, you may have to adjust the way you go from gear to gear. Different transmissions have different patterns, but the procedure is the same regardless of the type of shift pattern.

Step 3

Depress the clutch. Make sure that the range lever is in the up position.

Step 4

Pull the shifter into the neutral position with the clutch depressed. Lift your foot off the clutch.

Step 5

Depress the clutch pedal a second time. With it depressed, slide the shifter into the lower gear position. Lift up the clutch pedal.

Continue this down though the gears as needed. When you reach the last gear in the up range, flick the lever down prior to depressing the clutch. It is that easy.

Tractor-trailers, commonly known as semi-trucks, are not passenger vehicles. They are designed for the purpose of transporting goods over long distances efficiently. Due to their size and limited maneuverability, tractor-trailers can cause devastating damage in a collision.

Accidents involving semi-trucks killed more than 3,750 people on U.S. roads in 2011, and injured many more. Keep the following tips in mind when driving near large trucks to minimize the danger to you and those in your vehicle.

1. Give a truck extra space.

Keep ample distance when driving in front of or behind a large truck, and choose another lane if a semi truck is driving too closely behind you. Tractor-trailers need substantially more space than a car does to come to a complete stop in an emergency.

2. Stay out of a truck’s blind spot.

Tractor-trailers have larger blind spots than other vehicles. Follow this general rule: If you cannot see the truck’s mirrors, the driver can’t see your vehicle. Keep yourself visible.

3. Pass a tractor-trailer with care.

Never cross the double yellow line. If you must pass a tractor-trailer, always do so on the left, and don’t cut the truck off by re-entering the lane closely in front of it.

4. Keep size in mind.

A semi truck sharing the highway with you can weigh as much as 16 times more than the car you are driving. It may also be carrying dangerous chemicals that could turn a simple accident into a disaster. Also be sure to stay in your own lane; large trucks are wide and need the full width of their lane to drive.

5. Use common sense.

Whether driving a car, an SUV, or a semi truck, we all are supposed to follow the same rules. However, that doesn’t mean everyone actually will. Check your mirrors regularly, and be alert at all times. Always avoid cell phones and other distractions.

About Author:

The Truck Accident Attorneys at Atlanta-based Fried Rogers Goldberg LLC are nationally recognized for their work in the field of trucking law. They have more than 50 combined years of experience representing those injured by a truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, and they lecture and advise other attorneys on the topic.

How Long Does It Take, What Degree Do You Need, and More.

Last updated: April 28, 2020

Compare The Best SAT Prep Courses

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers

drive a tractor-trailer combination or a truck with a capacity of at least 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). May be required to unload truck. Requires commercial drivers’ license.

Table of Contents

What degree do you need

High School Diploma

One of the most common questions that we always get is what major or degree do I need to become CDL Truck Drivers or what courses do I need to take.

We also asked CDL Truck Drivers what did they major in college or university and here are the top 5 most popular majors that came up.

Most companies require their Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to have a high school diploma or equivalent. Many companies require drivers to attend professional truck-driving schools, where they take training courses to learn how to maneuver large vehicles on highways or through crowded streets.

Featured Truck Driving Schools

How hard is it

You may need some previous work-related skill, knowledge or experience to be a Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver . For example, a bank teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Careers in this difficulty category need anywhere from a few months to one year of on-the-job training.

I’m just a city driver and looking to take a job for a company that wants me to drive in the colorado rockies. I’ve heard some crazy stories.

8 Answers

Its not difficult to drive tractor trailers in any mountain range. It can be tricky at times. You just have to be very alert your first few times on new roads. Make sure you see all signs and READ THEM. Other than that it depends on what you hauling, heavy, light, top heavy, liquid,or what ever it may be.

Then you will be the one to take it down the pass. That is the hard part. Do Not follow another truck off the mountain. That guy probably knows the road well and can do it alot faster than you. He may also have a retarder which a lot of trucks don’t have. You may have a Jacobs brake but trust me it in no retarder. although I would see if the company has any or both on their equipment. Just don’t let someone talk you into doing something you not comfortable with, like the CB Rambo who will get you in trouble. Use you flashers at slower speeds up or DOWN!! Always have CB on to hear whats going on because going down there will be curves you cant see around and you want all the warning you can get to stop if you need to. That is also why you start off slower than you went up, save you brakes. You get them hot, burn em up, then they want stop you.

If you are not sure about something Be sure to ask. someone will help. Its not has hard as it sound from stories, You are a driver you know how that run didn’t go exactly like you told it now did it.

Road Conditions is what makes the job difficult in the mountains. Make SURE you check the weather before starting out. Ask others that have come across the MT what the conditions were on top.

The worse thing is depending on how heavy you are it’s a slow climb, try to get a run at the hill.

Coming off the MT. can be difficult if you don’t set yourself appropriately. Remember to always come off slow and allow your Jake to to ride, so you don’t have use your brakes AS much. Try not to change gears after you started to drop, it can be difficult to find your gear if your familiar with mountain driving.

If your going slower than the rest of the road traffic coming off the hill or going up the hill, please put your 4 ways on to warn other drivers that your moving more slowly.

Updated May 1, 2019

The ability to haul a trailer is a driving skill that is extremely useful in a variety of situations. The ability to safely drive with a trailer comes in handy when moving, purchasing new furniture, transporting lawnmowers or ATVs, or hauling a boat or RV. Knowing how to successfully attach a trailer to your vehicle’s hitch is only one step in the process of driving with a trailer. There are several other things that you need to consider before hitting the road in tandem.

9 Tips for Driving with a Trailer

Consult your owner’s manual for information about how much weight your vehicle can successfully haul. Some regular sized sedans are able to haul up to two thousand pounds, surprising news to many car owners. Large trucks and SUVs can tow considerably more weight; however, you want to make sure not to overload your vehicle. This can cause it to be difficult to handle and more likely to be involved in a wreck. This short video will help you understand the importance of loading your trailer correctly:

Do not underestimate the difficulty of driving with a trailer. You should practice pulling in and out of your driveway and navigating quiet back roads before attempting to drive in heavy traffic while pulling a trailer.

The size of the trailer is directly related to the number of adjustments you need to make as a driver. A small utility trailer might be hardly noticeable. Pulling a boat or large RV will require all of your attention and driving skills.

Make sure that the trailer is properly attached before hitting the road. Check the safety chains, lights, and license plate. You can check how to attach a trailer here:

Keep a greater distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when hauling a trailer. The extra weight behind your car or truck will make it more difficult to slow down or stop.

Take wider turns. Because your vehicle is now close to double its regular length, you will have to take turns significantly wider to avoid hitting curbs, other cars, or running off of the road.

Driving in reverse while pulling a trailer is a skill that takes quite a bit of practice to acquire. Turn too sharp and the trailer will jackknife, or turn sharply in one direction. Expect to make several adjustments the first couple of times you attempt to drive in reverse while towing a trailer. The following video will help you figure out how to fulfil this maneuver:

Take it slow. It is often best to drive in the right lane while pulling a trailer, especially on the interstate. Acceleration will take significantly longer with a trailer. Drive a little below the speed limit for safety.

Parking may be difficult. Small parking lots may be almost impossible to use when pulling a large trailer. If you do maneuver your vehicle and trailer into a parking space, or several parking spaces, make sure that you have plenty of room to exit the lot. It is often advisable to park in a remote part of a parking lot with few surrounding vehicles.

Being able to drive with a trailer will allow you to transport a variety of items or other vehicles. If you are an avid outdoors person who enjoys boating or camping, driving with a trailer is almost a necessary skill. Remember to allow yourself plenty of time to practice driving with a trailer to build your skill and boost your confidence.

Becoming a commercial truck driver is a journey along a fascinating road with several important milestones along the way. Just as any regulated profession has basic entrance requirements, commercial truck driving has its Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) earned by passing road and written tests. The steps needed to earn the CDL are not always the same, just as the steps to becoming a hair stylist, cosmetologist, real estate agent and other licensed jobs are not always the same. But ultimately, the road to becoming a truck driver ends with getting the CDL, after which you become a better commercial truck driver with every mile.

Getting the CDL

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates licensing of commercial truck drivers. This is so a single agency has regulatory control over safety and training issues, and states cannot have varying requirements that endanger the public by allowing some truck drivers to get by with less stringent training and testing than others.

To earn a CDL, a prospective truck driver starts by getting a Commercial Instruction Permit (CIP), also called by the FMCSA a Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP). With new regulations that took effect July 8 of this year, CLP and CDL holders must have standardized codes on their documents so anyone looking at any CDL or CLP from any state knows which type of commercial motor vehicle (CMV) the driver can and cannot operate:

• A—Combination Vehicle
• B—Heavy Straight Vehicle
• C—Small Vehicle

Additional endorsements allow a commercial truck driver to handle various types of CMVs:

• T—Double/triple trailers
• P—Passenger vehicle (commercial buses)
• N—Tank vehicle (the milk kind, not the military kind)
• H—Hazardous materials
• X—Combination of tank vehicle and hazardous materials endorsements
• S—School bus

The CDL, you see, only starts your journey toward specialized training, and with a CDL-A license you could be on the road and refining your skills. Take additional training to handle hazardous materials (Haz-Mat) and you add an endorsement to your CDL. Take Haz-Mat and tank and get that endorsement. Keep studying, because with endorsements could come added pay and greater demand for your skills.

Timeline for Truck Driving Training

Getting a CDL is not simply a matter of showing up at a state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and taking a written test. You cannot hop into a tractor with no training and hope to drive well enough to pass the test. Backing a 53-foot trailer up is hard and counter-intuitive—which way does the trailer go when I turn the tractor’s steering wheel to the left? What is double clutching, anyway? Proper training takes time, and after the training comes additional road work to become good enough to pass the driving test and earn the CDL.

How long does training take? In as little as eight weeks, you could get through classwork in essential skills:

• Vehicle Systems, Documentation, and Operating Systems—Typically 72 hours of classwork
• Range and Road Operation—Typically, 160 hours of training

Once your training is complete, you have received everything you need to pass a state’s CDL test.

On the Road

Once you have your CDL, you may take a job with a major trucking company and be required to take additional training. The CDL test, as overseen by the FMCSA, covers 20 different skill areas, but individual companies may want their drivers to be more than just “good enough” to handle their trucks. A combination tractor-trailer is a costly piece of equipment, and the cargo can be far more valuable than the vehicle.

This additional training may be with a company driver who acts as a mentor, taking several more weeks to gain over the road experience. Skills are honed in many areas:

• Backing
• Emergency maneuvers
• Fatigue awareness
• Mountain driving
• Night operation
• Shifting
• Space management

Lifetime Learning

Ask any million-miler (a driver who has attained the distinct honor of driving one million accident-free miles) when they stopped learning how to drive their truck and just began driving, and each will say, “I’m still learning.” Fuel conservation, communication technology, air brakes, hazard avoidance and extreme driving conditions are all areas for more learning.

After a few years of experience over the road, you could become a mentor to another bright up-and-comer. Share the hard-earned secrets of success in an interesting, ever-changing job, where the landscape rolls beneath your feet and you make money with every mile you drive. For many CDL holders, their work hardly feels like work—they just drive across our country, seeing sites and meeting great people, and get good pay to do it.

ATI has changed seen 2001 when I grad. We grad in our school cloths and had hotdogs at the end.Good school

The Road to Becoming a Truck Driver Starts Here

To begin the long road to becoming a supremely good commercial truck driver, begin by contacting the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) to learn more about their commercial truck driving program in Norfolk, Virginia. In as little as eight weeks, you could shift your career from “Park” to “Drive.” Contact us at 800-468-1093 or request information today.

UPS is hiring individuals to work as full-time Tractor-Trailer Drivers. This position involves driving a tractor-trailer unit to one or more destinations and then returning to the original domicile during the same work shift. Some work is performed outdoors.

Tractor-Trailer Drivers typically work weekdays (Monday through Friday) and are required to meet driver appearance standards. UPS Tractor-Trailer Drivers usually begin work in the evening and finish the following morning.

Applicants must pass a DOT physical and successfully pass a UPS road test. Qualified applicants must have a valid commercial driver’s license issued in the state that they live and a doubles endorsement is desired. Tractor-Trailer Drivers are expected to comply with UPS appearance guidelines and wear the company-provided uniform. UPS also requires a copy of your motor vehicle record driver abstract that has been issued within the past 30 days.

This job posting includes information about the minimum qualifications (including the UPS Uniform and Personal Appearance Guidelines), locations, shifts, and operations within the locations which may consider my application. An applicant or employee may request an exception or change to, or an accommodation of, any condition of employment (including the UPS Uniform and Personal Appearance Guidelines) because of a sincerely held religious belief or practice.

UPS is an equal opportunity employer. UPS does not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law

UPS is hiring individuals to work as full-time Tractor-Trailer Drivers. This position involves driving a tractor-trailer unit to one or more destinations and then returning to the original domicile during the same work shift. Some work is performed outdoors.

Tractor-Trailer Drivers typically work weekdays (Monday through Friday) and are required to meet driver appearance standards. UPS Tractor-Trailer Drivers usually begin work in the evening and finish the following morning.

Applicants must pass a DOT physical and successfully pass a UPS road test. Qualified applicants must have a valid commercial driver’s license issued in the state that they live and a doubles endorsement is desired. Tractor-Trailer Drivers are expected to comply with UPS appearance guidelines and wear the company-provided uniform. UPS also requires a copy of your motor vehicle record driver abstract that has been issued within the past 30 days.

This job posting includes information about the minimum qualifications (including the UPS Uniform and Personal Appearance Guidelines), locations, shifts, and operations within the locations which may consider my application. An applicant or employee may request an exception or change to, or an accommodation of, any condition of employment (including the UPS Uniform and Personal Appearance Guidelines) because of a sincerely held religious belief or practice.

UPS is an equal opportunity employer. UPS does not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law

This is an important question because we all must share the road with these huge semi tractor-trailers and an accident with a semi tractor-trailer is likely to result in serious personal injury or even wrongful death to the smaller vehicle. Safe operation benefits both the trucking industry and the industry does a good job of making sure its drivers are safe. So how do they do it. The answers lie in their desire to avoid the costs associated with causing serious personal injury to others and through enforcement of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations aka FMCFRs. The FMCFRs set out the requirements for driving Semi Tractor-Trailers. They are as follows:

Rule 391(11) General qualifications of drivers.(a) A person shall not drive a commercial motor vehicle unless he/she is qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle. Except as provided in §391.63, a motor carrier shall not require or permit a person to drive a commercial motor vehicle unless that person is qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle.(b) Except as provided in subpart G of this part, a person is qualified to drive a motor vehicle if he/she—(1) Is at least 21 years old;(2) Can read and speak the English language sufficiently to converse with the general public, to understand highway traffic signs and signals in the English language, to respond to official inquiries, and to make entries on reports and records;(3) Can, by reason of experience, training, or both, safely operate the type of commercial motor vehicle he/she drives;(4) Is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle in accordance with subpart E—Physical Qualifications and Examinations of this part;(5) Has a currently valid commercial motor vehicle operator’s license issued only by one State or jurisdiction;(6) Has prepared and furnished the motor carrier that employs him/her with the list of violations or the certificate as required by §391.27;(7) Is not disqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle under the rules in §391.15; and(8) Has successfully completed a driver’s road test and has been issued a certificate of driver’s road test in accordance with §391.31, or has presented an operator’s license or a certificate of road test which the motor carrier that employs him/her has accepted as equivalent to a road test in accordance with §391.33.

As the trucking company is responsible for injuries caused by one of their drivers, they have a good incentive to follow these rules faithfully. The trucking company is also required to get the safety recs of a truck driver from former employers for the past 3 years before hiring. After hire, on an annual basis, the company is required to obtain the driving record from the state agency where the trucker has his/her CDL.

We know the rules and how the industry attempts to keep us all safe. If you or a loved one has been injured in a semi tractor-trailer accident, please call.

How to shift a 10 speed tractor trailer

WHEN GOING DOWN A HILL. you have to be in the proper gear BEFORE you start down the hill. failure to do so may lead to an “Out of control situation” that .

PSD – Truck Driver Trainee – First Time Driving a Truck

2016-04-21 Junior Honduras

4-18-16 – Students first day behind the wheel in a truck. I try to explain as much as I can without overwhelming him because being at the wheel is already more .

What to Expect Your First Year as a New Truck Driver

A new truck driver endures the most challenging part of his entire career, in their first year. Just a few things the new trucker ought to be aware of, so you know .

Learn to Drive Tractor Trailer

2009-04-09 jimmy cox

Buy the book at Learning how to shift gears in a tractor trailer.

Ms Diva Trucker43 driving a 13 speed Lonestar

2015-07-26 Ms DivaTrucker Semi Queen

Test your Class A CDL Road Skills – Austin, Texas

2015-11-05 Steve McIntosh

Test your Class A CDL Road Skills – Austin, Texas This video is an example of what you would experience when taking a Class A CDL Road Test. In this video .

2016-09-30 CDL College, LLC

Are you currently learning how to shift a 10 speed transmission? Our 10 speed shifting tips video has many valuable tips to help you become a better shifter.

Learn to Drive Tractor Trailer Pt 2

2009-04-15 jimmy cox

Buy the book at We take the truck out on the road to go through the gears.

First time driving tractor trailor

i do not have a CDl class a just driving my dads companies trackor trailor.

Backing Up- Truck Driver Tips and Tricks

2017-01-17 The Asian Mai Show

Giving some quick pointers and real situations of daily backing up. Thanks and Please Subscribe.

truck driving simulator

show and tell about our mobile truck driving simulator and some of the types of training we can do with it.

Truck Driver Skills: Shifting an 18 Speed: How to Skip Gears

Shifting an 18 speed. This video gives a demonstration of how to shift an 18 speed big truck, along with a bit of advice to help a new driver. How to skip gears, .

How To Shift A 13 Speed Tractor Trailer

To fully understand this I recommend watching “How to shift a 10 speed tractor trailer” first.

Truck Drivers – Safety tips for making right turns

Truck Drivers – learn safety tips for making right turns.

How to shift a 10 speed transmission in a semi tractor.

2014-06-17 Apex CDL Institute

This video is for demonstration purposes only. Apex CDL Institute makes no claim that the techniques, nomenclature or methodology of shifting a non .

Learning to back up a tractor trailer

same situation with a sleeper

HOW TO DRIVE A SEMI TRUCK manual 10 speed

2013-10-30 Vitaliy VZ

This VIDEO have helped a lot of people, so CHECK IT OUT. Just a little instructional video on how to drive a 10 speed manual transmission semi truck.

driving giant Peterbilt in trafic on the busiest highway of North America. inside cab view

Coupling and Uncoupling Tutorial

Step by step instruction on how to do a coupling and uncoupling on a tractor trailer. Presented by J-Tech’s Lead Instructor Mr. Ricks. Subscribe now for more .

Offset backing maneuver at Tn Truck Driving School

2014-10-25 Theresa Ann Taylor

Doing the offset backing maneuver at cdl school. Only messed up once but still did pretty good for the first time. Yes I know there is a light out. And yes I know I hit .

Are you fascinated by the power and abilities of a tractor trailer driver? Do love the solitude of the open road, and freedom from constraints of a 9 to 5 desk job? Do you live in the state of Virginia? Then maybe you would be interested in how to become a tractor trailer driver in Norfolk, VA.

Known as the ‘Knights of the Road,’ truck drivers are the first to stop and help lost and stranded motorists. Glorified in songs and movies as heroes, rebels, and modern day cowboys, truckers are the subject of a vast American folklore.

What may not be immediately apparent from the movies is that truck drivers are away from home a good three weeks out of four. This is a major lifestyle decision that you should discuss with your family before making a long-term commitment. Life on the open road is romantic, but this isn’t a decision to make on your own.

How do you become a tractor trailer driver in Virginia?

Commercial driver’s license

The first step toward becoming a truck driver in Virginia is to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), of which there are three categories:

• Class A – Vehicles with a combined weight of 26,001 pounds, towing a vehicle weighing more than 10,000 pounds
• Class B – Combined weight: > 26,001 pounds; Towing weight: /= 16 people (driver included), or to tow hazardous materials

For this, the state of Virginia requires you to test in the class of vehicle that you intend to drive.

Medical certificate

Every profession has its requirements for paperwork, and the tractor trailer industry is no different. To be a Virginia truck driver, you will need to be 18 years old, produce a valid Virginia driver’s license, and obtain a medical certificate. For this, you will need to find a Certified Medical Examiner, who will complete a comprehensive FMSCA Medical Examination Report Form. Here are some who are located in the Old Dominion, the Mother of Presidents, the state of Virginia.

Interstate Transportation of Cargo

While the state issues CDLs for transporting cargo within Virginia, the United States Department of Transportation regulates the movement of cargo from one state to another. To transport material across state lines, you need to be at least 21 years old and pass a written knowledge exam and a three-part skills test. The skills test involves:

• A pre-trip vehicle inspection
• Basic control skills test
• On-road driving exam

Endorsements

In order to drive certain types of vehicle, you will need to obtain extra endorsements. These include trucks designed for transporting passengers or hazardous substances, as well as vehicles with air brakes, double/triple trailers, or school buses. If you want to transport hazardous materials, which pays better than other trucking jobs, you will need to submit to a background check by the Transport Security Administration, who will issue you with a Hazmat endorsement.

What are some benefits to attending a formal course?

The fastest and most efficient way to prepare yourself for passing your test and driving a tractor-trailer safely in and around Norfolk, Virginia, is to take a short course in tractor-trailer driving. In as few as eight weeks, you can develop proficiency in driving, backing, parking, and shifting tractor trailer vehicles. You will learn more than Smokey ever could have taught you about:

• Driving safety
• Substance abuse
• Transportation of hazardous materials
• Trip planning
• Vehicle maintenance
• Operational procedures

ATI is Here to Help Turn Your Goal into a Reality

If you train with the Advanced Technology Institute in Tractor Trailer Driving, you will receive hands-on instruction in small classes. The course runs 8 weeks and each student who completes it will receive a certificate of completion, which can be your first step on the road to becoming a trucker. For more information about this course, connect with us today!

Never Stand Alone.

At ES, we understand that YOUR business is making money. And we’re here to help you achieve this goal with support programs that save you money on fuel, financing, insurance and much more — so you Never Stand Alone.

We’re not a carrier and we don’t sell or dispatch freight. What we do is provide you with the opportunity to maximize your potential at your level of choice. When you join ES’s Circle of Success, we help you succeed YOUR way.

As a New Driver, you have access to the tools and people who can help you become effective immediately. No experience is necessary. All you need is the desire to learn and achieve at your level. We also provide the best equipment with our well maintained late model Freightliner Cascadia’s from our very own fleet, providing peace-of-mind that your equipment is roadworthy. But in the event you ever need help, ES provides a 24-hour service department and an on-staff mechanic to solve any issues and get you back on the road quickly.

Experienced Drivers who utilize ES enjoy benefits that can assist even the most seasoned drivers. Not only are you provided with the best equipment in the industry, we support your growth with programs so you Never Stand Alone. We can also provide the specialized equipment needed to maximize yourself as a driver and expand earning potential.

Unlike any other company in expediting, ES provides TRUE ownership opportunities when you take our Path to Ownership. And your work experience, aptitude and attitude can play a key role in helping you get financed. Please contact us if you’re interested in this rewarding opportunity.

When ES says you Never Stand Alone, we mean it. We stand by you to provide operational support, directing you to the best freight lanes and making sure that anything you negotiated with the carrier matches what is paid in your settlements, including price, miles, pick-up and delivery time and detention.

ES is the only company in the industry whose entire effort is structured to support you on a daily basis and provide you with the tools to attain your personal goals.

Driving a tractor trailer is nothing if not an art, but like any other art, perfecting it is mostly a matter of practice and inspiration. Practice comes from doing it, from daily honing of crucial skills. Inspiration comes from the knowledge that you’re capable of handling any situation that the road throws at you.

Step 1

Look at the curve and try figure out if you’ll have the room you’ll need to swing out and make the turn. You’ll almost always need to go into another lane. If there’s traffic sitting at the intersection on your right, then wait for an opportunity to swing into the left-hand lane. If you can’t go to your left, then wait for traffic sitting in the oncoming lane of the cross-road to move.

Step 2

Engage your right turn signal at least 200 feet before making the turn, and check traffic at the intersection and in your mirrors. Check traffic coming up on your left behind you, and bear to the left side of your lane. Downshift to the appropriate gear. Cross over the line to your left by about a foot if necessary, but no more.

Step 3

Check your right-hand mirror one last time to make sure that no one is trying to sneak around you and going to end up with a trailer parked on their hood. Enter the turn, aiming the front of your truck for the oncoming lane if it’s a two-lane road or the middle lane if it’s a three-lane.

Step 4

Watch your right front, hood-mounted blind-spot mirror. Once you’ve determined that you have the clearance to swing out, your trailer tires are effectively “driving” the truck. You already know that you have room for the tractor, so your primary duty at this point is to direct the trailer tires so that they don’t hop the curb.

Step 5

Look up and forward every three seconds to make sure that the traffic is where you left it, and to re-check your tractor clearance. Go back to watching the trailer wheels, and steer the tractor in or out to get them as close to the apex of the curve as you can without hopping it.

Step 6

Turn the truck sharply to the right after your rear wheels have passed the apex of the curve. Nothing you do past this point will steer your trailer tires over the curb, so now your priority shifts to getting the truck completely into your lane and straightening it out.

Cancel your turn signal only when the truck has completely straightened out in its lane.

Driving becomes second nature to us after we get a lot of experience. When I get behind the wheel of a car, it becomes like an extension of my body. If it’s a vehicle that I’m used to I automatically adjust to the size of the vehicle, the way it handles etc. Big trucks are no exception. The difference is that it can take years and thousands of miles until you adjust from a car to a truck and back again with little effort. Trucks are obviously very large, so the way you drive them is like driving a car with every move multiplied. To make turns you take as much space as you can. In traffic you must leave a lot of space ahead of you. You take a lot of time to get up to speed. You can see much further ahead and behind you, but your blind spots are also much bigger. To compensate for some of that, you have extra mirrors and windows and they’re also larger. Trucks have a lot of torque. This makes them difficult for beginners because when you make a mistake the truck doesn’t respond lightly. I’m talking about major jerking, grinding etc. However, it’s very gratifying when you get all that power under control.

Step 1

“Pre-trip inspection” Before driving you need to do a pre-trip inspection of the truck and anything attached to it. This is important because once you’re driving, there are many things out of your line of vision.

Step 2

“Check fluids” This is similar to checking the fluids in a car. The dipsticks and fluid caps are labeled. The hood is latched on both sides by a rubber hook. Undo these, go to the front of the truck, grab the handle on top of the hood, and pull the hood open.

Step 3

“Get comfortable” After you climb in you will need to adjust your seat. It’s best to adjust your seat high and forward if possible. This way you will have the best view over the hood. Front / back adjusts like a car. To adjust the seat up or down use the switches on the left side of the seat. The reason for the air ride is because heavy duty trucks are a much rougher ride. Many newer trucks have air-ride suspension, air-ride cab and air-ride seats. It’s important, even for an experienced driver to adjust your seat, steering wheel, and mirrors before you put the truck in gear.

Step 4

“Start the diesel” The key should be somewhere on the dash. You won’t have to depress the clutch to start the diesel so make sure the shifter is in neutral. Leave the key front for a bit to let the glow plugs warm up before starting up.

Step 5

“Put it in gear” This is how to shift a standard 13 speed transmission. The shifter has six positions, with neutral in the center. There’s a paddle on the front, under your fingers, and a red switch on the left, under your thumb. The paddle needs to be down, and the red button needs to be to the back. Push the clutch pedal to the floor and hold for a few seconds. Release all parking brakes. Reverse is up and to the left. Reverse actually has two speeds: If you pull the little paddle on the shifter up before shifting into reverse, this is the higher speed. You cannot do this while the truck is moving. First gear (also called low) is down and to the right.

Step 6

“Shifting” There are two ways to shift gears. #1: Double clutching. This is the recommended way to drive a truck. The advantages to learning to do this is that it’s the only way to shift gears in older trucks. Also, if you use the clutch pedal, it gives you a bigger window to grab the next gear. This method sounds simple, but takes a lot of practice. When shifting up, push the clutch pedal, pull the shifter into the neutral position, release the clutch, let rpm’s drop to required level, push clutch and shift into higher gear. You should be able to do all this before the truck coasts more than one truck-length. Down-shifting is similar except you have to raise the rpm’s to grab the lower gear. #2 No clutch. The only time you use the clutch is when starting off. When you’re ready for the next gear apply slight pressure on the shifter. When the rpm’s drop to the required level, the shifter should ‘pop’ nicely into neutral. As this is in a smaller window, the rpm’s need not drop much further before you drop into the higher gear. You can test the higher gear by applying slight pressure to the shifter. Try not to grind the gears! 13 speed gear layout. 1st gear (also called low) is down and to the right. 2nd gear is up and center. 3rd gear is down and center. 4th gear is up and right. 5th gear is down and right. For 6th gear you need to pull the paddle on the shifter up with your index and middle fingers, and shift up and center. For 7th gear, same position and move the red button on the shifter ‘front’ with your thumb. 8th gear: paddle up, red button back, shifter back and center. 9th gear: same position but with the red button front. 10th gear: paddle up, red button back, shifter up and right. 11th gear: same position but with the red button front. 12th gear: paddle up, red button back, shifter down and right. 13th gear: same position but with the red button front.

Step 7

“Other Transmissions” 9 speed: This is similar to the 13 speed, without the red button on the side of the shifter. 10 speed: This is similar to the 9 speed, but with 6th gear down and left. (shifter paddle up) 18 speed: This is similar to the 13 speed. The difference is that you use the red button for the gears also. Super 10: This transmission doesn’t have the little paddle on the front, but it does have a red button on the side. 1st gear is down and left with the red button back. 2nd gear same position but with red button front etc. Automatic: Somewhat easier but still not at all like a car! This transmission has a clutch but you only use it for starting and stopping. The diesel revs itself up when downshifting.

Step 8

“Gas Pedal” The gas pedal in a truck may be electronic, which means that the only thing connecting the pedal with the motor is wiring. It may also be touchy. When the truck’s heavy or climbing hills, you need to push the pedal to the floor and hold, because changing gears on a hill can be difficult.

Step 9

“Brakes” The reason we need a special license for vehicles with air brakes is because they are totally unlike hydraulic or electric brakes. They’re quite touchy and need a lot more attention as air can bleed out of the lines really fast. Thankfully, most large trucks are equipped with other brakes such as engine brakes. Engine brakes are used for heavy vehicles, as regular brakes get hot really fast. They work best in a low gear with the rpm’s high.

Step 10

“Trailers” Obviously, the longer that your rig is, the wider you have to swing the front of your truck when making turns. If the trailer has spread axles, it’s a good idea to deflate the airbags on the rear axle when turning. This will save wear on the tires and will also give the trailer a wider swing. The same principle applies when backing up. When backing up I dump the front airbag to keep the trailer from coming around too fast. It’s not that difficult to back up a trailer, you just need a lot of room. When backing up a trailer with a long truck, the trailer will keep turning until the truck is straight, which may take some distance. Therefore, sometimes I begin to straighten out the truck before the trailer is pointed in the right direction.

I’m thinking about becoming a truck driver and I wanted to know how hard it is to learn to drive a tractor trailer, and is it hard to back up the trailer? Thank you.

8 Answers

I am an ex-instructor / examiner for the CDL

Its not difficult at all. We break it down into baby steps, and build your confidence a little at a time. We start out in a very large, wide open area, where you cant really do any damage, and slowly have you do basic maneuvers until you successfully accomplish each exercise.

Some people catch on quicker than others, but we never give you more than your able to handle.

I myself enjoyed being an instructor. I always tried to make it a fun experience for all my students.

I always kept in mind your learning and your not going to be perfect every time. But having someone like me, sitting next to you while you do get right is a HUGE help. GO FOR IT.

You can find schools that teach truck driving everywhere. In my area one of the community colleges does an excellent job. You’ll learn how to be comfortable with such a huge vehicle and huge responsibility.

As for backing up, it is generally thought to be harder to back a short, little trailer on your garden tractor than to back a big rig. On the other hand, you can do a tremendous amount of damage with your big truck if you hit something.

It can be very stressful. It is one of the most difficult schools to go to. Backing a 40 foot monster and learning to shift gears ain’t easy. Shifting is much harder that your garden variety Honda. Also you are 6 inches from disaster when driving around other cars. Fear is natural but you gain confidence. People do learn it. Snezzy is right if you can back up a short trailer the big one is easier.

Backing a trailer is probably the hardest part of learning to drive a semi, but if you pay attention and work at it, MOST experienced drivers can manage it well enough to pass a driving test with a few weeks of practice.

Get the Job

Backing up a tractor trailer is usually very difficult for new truck drivers or drivers in training. Heck, even experienced truck drivers will have.

Backing a semi-truck or tractor-trailer at a degree angle is one of the most common backing maneuvers used by drivers. This is known as alley docking. It is useful for parking in between trailers at a terminal, or backing into a loading dock, or perhaps even an alley. Fortunately it is one of the easier backing maneuvers for new drivers to learn. By following a step-by-step routine, you should be backing into tight spots in no time. Slide your tandems all the way back.

Learn some simple, yet often over looked tips to back up a tractor trailer successfully. It’s a maneuver which requires lots of practice.
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Drivers of tractor-trailers are trained operators and among the most skilled drivers on the road. But meeting deadlines, fatigue, the need to drive in bad weather, and other challenges that come with the job can lead to bad judgment, accidents, injury, and death. On top of the hazards of driving itself, actions after arriving at a destination, including parking, securing the vehicle, backing the vehicle, and coupling and uncoupling the trailer, must be done with caution and according to fundamental protective procedures. In April , OSHA published a flier on driver awareness at the warehouse, dock, and construction site. Important steps include training workers to park vehicles on level ground, set the emergency brakes, place wheel chocks between the tandem wheels of the trailer to prevent it from rolling, and get out of the vehicle and look for people and other obstructions before backing.

Yes, you can’t get backing down. No, you’re not crazy. It’s the most frustrating thing you will have to learn in truck school. But you will get the hang of it. Being late, I won’t answer right now. But please add in some of your frustration here so others can help you out. Nicole, keep trying.

Tips April 26, tsg 2. Going forward, the top of our steering wheel will always move in the direction we want to go. Of course, when driving a regular vehicle, the top of the steering wheel also moves in the direction your vehicle will go when backing up. Get rid of whatever notions you have from driving a car � this is a different game altogether. Eventually, through many repetitions and a lot of practice I got the hang of it. It really is that simple. Leave a comment below or head over to our member forums to chat there.

Having Trouble Learning How To Backup

Backing up a tractor trailer is usually very difficult for new truck drivers or drivers in training. Heck, even experienced truck drivers will have those days where for some reason backing up their trailer is just not working for them. – There are several backing situations which professional truck drivers encounter frequently, which Vicki shows through animated graphics below. All backing and docking situations that drivers of dry vans and refrigerated vans encounter involve the movement of the truck and trailer in which a driver has the vehicle in reverse gear.

I went to training program at CR England year and half ago,but dropped out because they didn’t really want to teach how to shift since I never drove a standard. I still want to enroll in a private trucking school with my own money. Is it hard to drive a standard on a 18 wheeler?Compare to a regular vehicle.

2 Answers

This is a reputable trucking company. I went thru their own company owned school. They teach you how to shift. The training is free if you stay with them for a set time. Even if you quite early, the amount of money they want for the traing is less than a private cdl school. They even provide room and board during the training. Feel free to ask me any other questions.

Actually, it is easier to shift a tractor trailer than it is a car.

Before I got my tractor trailer license, I had rarely driven standard before. The benefit was that I did not have to ‘un-learn’ car shifting in order to learn tractor trailer shifting.

It’s hard to believe that a company didn’t want to ‘teach you how to shift’ because it is their equipment you will be driving, and repairs are costly. More than likely you were just being trained by someone who really didn’t have to patience to teach someone with no experience. You should have inquired about getting a different trainer. ( I had to do that, my first ‘company trainer’ was a dill-hole. the second guy I was assigned to was great. we are still friendly to this day )

Keep in mind that many trucking schools will pretty much just teach you what you need to know to pass the road test at the DOT, and your ‘real training’ won’t begin until you are hired a a company and put through their own training program.

Don’t give up though. If it is something you really want to do, you can succeed in spite of others.

How to transport a boat on a tractor trailer can be a very challenging experience, especially if you are the owner of the boat and you’re doing this for the very first time. Not that the task requires very specialized skills.

On the contrary, how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer–can be as mundane and as ordinary to a truck trailer driver. So there lies the great divide between the nervous boat owner and the intrepid transporter or mover who could well be doing this all his or her career life. The quick lesson that can be learned early on is entrusting the mission to capable and experienced hands.

Why agonize or sweat tears and blood over how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer when you can transpose all the negative vibes to a competent shipping company? Chances are, you could even realize a substantial discount if you were to subject the selection process to a rigorous bidding process. In this manner, the winning contractor would most likely thank you for it.

Also, he or she might give you a hefty discount for awarding the contract to the company. In summary, that is how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer–the automated way, that is, without complications and virtually no sweat for the boat owner. However, doing it in this manner could become very expensive if not outright exorbitant, especially when no discounts are forthcoming.

In addition, you, the yacht owner would end up not learning anything when you just leave how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer–to the professionals. For where is the challenge in that? Welcome to the world of alpha males and alpha females. This special breed of men and women are not content with ordinary existence.

They are more likely to transform how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer–into a DIY project with an amazing twist. They’ve arrived. So they just don’t want everything to be handed to them on a silver platter.

Therein lies the psychology behind how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer–the hard way. There are a plenty of local as well as statewide regulations regarding transporting a big object. At the bare minimum, the item to be transported can be the size of a bathtub. At it’s biggest, you’re looking at a small room.

Neither would be an insurmountable challenge to the truck driver or operator. After all, the size of a full-blown truck trailer is bigger than the average-size room. And so if the boat owner himself or herself were intent on doing the actual driving–so be it.

He or she would just need to upgrade the driver’s license in the equation to a permit for extra large utility vehicles. Likewise, the owner would have to contend with permits, tolls, restrictions and especially if escorts would be required under the law. In addition, many large boats don’t fit the exact dimension of the truck trailer.

As a result, the box compartment of the trailer will need to be removed entirely. This will leave the boat exposed to all the elements. How to transport a boat on a tractor trailer assumes that nothing will be damaged, scratched or bruised during the full course of what could potentially be a full-blown science project.

For best results, various items will need to be taken off the boat lest they protrude as well as intrude on highway space. These can include antennas, anchors, and railings–among other things. Finally, the task of protecting the property in question will not be as easy as shrink-wrapping.

Tarps may need to be applied as well–as an added layer of protection. And underneath all the shrink wraps, foams or cushioning will need to be meticulously applied on different parts of the boat to ensure that no accidental scratches are possible. The owner himself or herself will be in the best position to tell what role rain and wind will play in regards to how to transport a boat on a tractor trailer.

A truck driver that operates ‘heavy’ trucks, drives tractor-trailers that deliver products, heavy equipment, livestock or other cargo in a safe and efficient manner for a variety of customers and businesses. A ‘heavy’ is a truck with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of at least 26,000 pounds or more.

How to Become a Truck Driver

To become a truck driver, employers want you to have a high school diploma or the equivalent along with previous experience in a related field. You would typically work alongside experienced truckers for a period of time lasting anywhere from a few months to one year. Sometimes, apprenticeship programs are offered by employers in this career field. Of course, you’d also need to have your driver’s license before you start the next step to gain your Commercial Driver’s License (or CDL). A CDL also has various classifications ranging from Class A to Class C. The classification you qualify for will determine the type of truck and cargo you are authorized to drive and carry. You can learn more about CDL classifications from the DMV website (link opens in a new tab).

To gain your CDL, you must pass a written exam and then each state may have its own unique requirements after that. Some people decide to attend a trade school program that prepares them for the CDL exam while giving hands-on practice operating heavy trucks. Others may simply study the CDL manual and take the practice tests to prepare.

Employers are also looking for people who are dependable, have self-control, and integrity. You also want to ensure you can handle stressful situations, can stay alert for long periods of time and not become distracted, and that you pay attention to detail. This job requires you to be an independent worker with the ability to make sound decisions.

Job Description of a Truck Driver

A truck driver must always inspect their cargo and their truck to ensure it will operate safely and that cargo is secured with cables, rope, or other materials. It is vital they follow all appropriate safety procedures, especially when transporting dangerous goods. Along with operating their truck, they may also need to work any other equipment that may assist to unload cargo. Communication is also key to truck drivers. Many truckers communicate with one another on the road and report any road hazards, weather conditions, and other vital information that may be useful.

Navigating from one destination to another via the safest and most efficient route is also vital, so truck drivers must feel comfortable following a map or GPS, and also comfortable making quick decisions if an area on their route becomes inaccessible. These drivers work under time pressure every day and find themselves in hot or cold temperatures. Though they work in an enclosed vehicle for about 88% of the day, the rest of the time they may be exposed to the outdoor weather elements as well. Most truck drivers work at least 40 hours a week.

Free Teacher and Student Resources

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) hosts a wealth of information on its Commercial Driver Education (link opens in a new tab) webpage. They do offer study material to help you pass your written CDL exam, but those are not free and there is a cost.

Posted August 6, 2020 6:19 p.m. EDT
Updated August 7, 2020 4:21 p.m. EDT

Chapel Hill, N.C. — A fiery crash involving a tractor-trailer and two other vehicles backed up traffic on Interstate 40 in Orange and Durham counties on Thursday evening.

Troopers with the State Highway Patrol said there were several different crashes in the area, and video from the scene showed at least nine other vehicles somewhat damaged nearby.

The crashes happened between exits 270 and 273 on I-40 around 5:30 p.m., Durham police said. The tractor-trailer crash and fire happened under the bridge on Old Chapel Hill Road. Two other vehicles were involved in that crash.

Durham police said Friday afternoon that crash happened when a vehicle went out of control due to heavy rain and spun around. It collided with the tractor-trailer and another vehicle.

Other crashes happened after that one, bunching up vehicles at a couple of other spots on I-40. Police said most of those were fender benders. There were no life-threatening injuries.

All westbound lanes were closed, and two eastbound lanes were closed for cleanup.

“We’ve been sitting in traffic for an hour and half, stand-still traffic, and we are just trying to get to our destination, and it is impossible,” said Shaunda Williams.

“We had to literally drive through the woods to get to a street,” said Shani Hammock.

After 7 p.m., traffic in the westbound lanes was allowed to move along the shoulder. Regular traffic resumed for all lanes around 9 p.m.

Durham police said there were no major injuries in the crash involving the tractor-trailer. Several people in other crashes were taken to area hospitals for treatment of injuries that did not appear to be life-threatening, police said.

The tractor-trailer is registered to Geographic Transport in Gastonia, which carries potatoes and vegetables, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The owner of the company said they were aware of the crash. He said there was at least one driver in the tractor-trailer, and he was still trying to gather information on the crash.

Ever use or seen a pocketknife? The term “jackknife” comes from a pocketknife folding configuration. The collision term “semi-truck jackknife” refers to a truck accident where a truck with two separate parts (a cab and a trailer) folds in on itself at the point of separation. The cab and trailer swivel where they are linked together, at the fifth wheel, forming a 90+-degree angle of a “L” or “V” shape.

In most cases it comes down to a loss of traction. Traction has to do with how well a wheel’s tires grip the road. wheels use static friction — the force between two unmoving objects. When the rolling wheel touches the ground, that contact point is static. The more static friction at this contact point, the better the traction. A vehicle’s wheels depend on static friction for enough traction to both move and stop controllably.

Slick roads and improper braking causes tires to skid along the pavement instead of rolling. Skidding tires are resisted only by sliding friction, which isn’t as powerful as static friction. Slamming on the brakes could have an adverse effect, causing them to lock and leaving the skidding wheel without enough traction to stop. If the tractor or the trailer wheels lock, the loss of traction will allow the rig to swing sideways out of control into a tractor jackknife or a trailer jackknife.

Types of Surfaces

Slippery Surfaces take longer for trucks to stop, and it will be harder to turn without skidding when the road is slippery. You must drive slower to be able to stop in the same distance as on a dry road.

Wet, Snow Packed and Icy Roads significantly increase stopping distance. Speeds must be adjusted for safe operation and control for surrounding conditions.
Bridges: When the temperature drops, bridges will freeze before the road will. Be especially careful when the temperature is close to 32 degrees F.

Melting Ice: Slight melting will make ice wet. Wet ice is much more slippery than ice that is not wet.

Black Ice. 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.

Coefficient of Friction

The coefficient of friction is a rating of the grip or “traction” between a road surface and a tire. The value of the coefficient of friction is a fraction, which must be between zero and one. The lower the value of the coefficient of friction of the roadway, the more slippery the roadway will be.

For example, an icy surface may have a coefficient of friction in the range of 0.1, while a clean, dry asphalt surface may have a coefficient of friction of approximately 0.8.

Type of Roadway Surface / Coefficient of Friction
Dry Asphalt 0.80
Wet Asphalt 0.55
Hard Packed Snow 0.20
Ice 0.10

Speed Not Reasonable-Prudent for Conditions: a tractor-trailer traveling at the speed limit on dry surfaces is sometimes difficult to stop efficiently. In poor roadway conditions the truck braking efficient is reduced. If the driver slams on his brakes at higher speed, chances increase drastically that the trailer in tow will swing out of control.

Slippery weather conditions and roads. Loss of traction with the road can cause weight to shift against the center of gravity causing both the truck and trailer to slide. Due to the excessive weight and overall length of commercial trucks, even small movements can cause the truck to jackknife.

Methods for Preventing Semi-Truck Jackknife Situations

1. Be wary of light loads. Heavier loads provide more traction.
2. Even brake pressure must be applied—but stopped short of locking down the brakes.
3. Maintain slower reasonable speeds based on existing conditions
4. Spread your braking over the longest possible distance, braking progressively and reducing your speed gradually
5. Give yourself increased following distance-Time and Distance are your friend!
6. Avoid having to brake or even decelerate on a curve
7. Be very cautious about using your engine brake or retarder
8. Jackknifing starts as a skid, so do your utmost to avoid skidding
9. Keep both tractor and trailer properly maintained
10. Modern anti-lock braking systems automatically adjust braking force to prevent wheel lockup.

Bottom Line

Semi-Truck Jackknifes are Preventable. Drivers must always be prepared and alert. Speeds and following distances must be reasonable and prudent for conditions, including weather, roadway conditions, traffic volume, time of day (night/day) and terrain (hills curves).

For more truck driver safety tips, visit Truck Driver Safety Blogs

It is important to hire a tractor trailer accident attorney, the moment you get into an accident. They can help protect you from litigation and if necessary, get you the amount legal compensation you deserve.

Driving a tractor trailer can be a very dangerous job. Driving this type of vehicle is not as easy as it is to drive a regular car or even a motorcycle. A tractor trailer is a motor vehicle that weighs quite a few tons and requires quite a bit of skill since you will be maneuvering an extremely heavy vehicle on humongous wheels. Since these vehicles are driven on the same roads as any other vehicle, it is important for you to exercise extreme caution, while staying focused on the road. Everyone knows that accidents are bound to happen at any point in time, and if you find yourself in a fender bender with another vehicle while you were on the big rig, you need to hire a tractor trailer accident attorney right away.

Since most people are real quick to point the fingers of blame on the bigger vehicles, it is important for you to protect yourself from any potential lawsuits that may arise. While driving a big rig vehicle, accidents can happen in a split second and since the accident involves such a large vehicle, some severe injuries and damages can occur. Most people know that a tractor trailer cannot maneuver as sharply as an average vehicle can, which is why many drivers tend to give them a wide berth while they are on the road. There are some drivers who do not care much about their safety or the safety of others. Their single mindlessness is a result of them either being in a rush or not paying proper attention to the task at hand. It is many times due to their own fault, that they and many others often have to deal with a vehicle crash that involves a big rig.

By hiring a tractor trailer accident attorney, not only are you protecting yourself, you are protecting the business that you work for. When you are involved in an accident, you become a liability for your employer. If you don’t want to end up losing your job, you need a tractor trailer accident attorney to protect your interests. You need a lawyer that has represented hundreds of tractor trailer clients who have been in your same predicament. This lets you know that they have ample experience in defending clients like you. They are more willing to listen to your side of the story and help protect you against claims from the other parties that are involved.

Since you will have a tractor trailer accident attorney defending you, you don’t have to worry about whether or not you are going to be without a job or have to pay out any money because of the other party’s claims. If you are not sure of how to handle the situation, then it is important for you to contact a good tractor trailer accident attorney so they provide you with the legal guidance you need.

The victim was a passenger in a Toyota Aygo

• 16:40, 30 JUL 2020

A man has died after a tractor trailer fell on a car in a Derbyshire village this afternoon.

Officers were called to Old Whittington, near Chesterfield, at 1.10pm today following reports that a large trailer had become detached from a tractor and fallen onto a Toyota Aygo.

The incident happened in Station Lane, at its junction of Ashcroft Drive.

Members of Debyshire police say the tractor driver has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A spokesman from the force said: “Station Lane is closed from Station Lane industrial estate to Gypsy Lane.

“There is no access to the industrial estate, but people who are already at the site will be allowed to leave.

“The road will be closed for some time as we carry out investigations and clear the scene. We want to hear from any witnesses or anyone who has dashcam footage of either vehicle before the incident.”

How to get the latest Chesterfield news

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To sign up, all you have to do is enter your email address into the “sign up to FREE alerts” box at the top of this article.

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Anyone with information should call 101, quoting reference 610 of July 30.

People can also contact Crimestoppers, which is an anonymous service on 0800 555 111.

Any professional truck driver will tell you that driving a truck in windy conditions is no joke.

Truck drivers know how dangerous ice, snow, and rain can be but sometimes underestimate windy conditions. Wind is the unseen weather, you can’t see it like you can snow and rain but it can be just as dangerous if you aren’t prepared.

Wind speeds that are near 60 mph is enough to overturn a trailer. A large trailer is especially dangerous because it has a lot of surface area that is a recipe for disaster in the wind.

All that surface area catches a lot of wind. Your tractor trailer is at a greater risk of overturning compared to cars, pickup trucks, small box trucks, and flatbeds.

If you are not carrying a load the danger only increases because you don’t have the added weight to prevent you from overturning.

There is no hard fast rule that says a specific wind speed is most dangerous but many professional drivers agree that anything over 60mph is too dangerous.

Wind speeds between 40mph and 59 mph can be risky depending on your load weight and direction of the wind. Use caution and check out the tips below.

Driving a semi in high winds is risky and you have to know what to do when you encounter strong winds.

In this article I’m going to give you 12 tips that will help you drive your tractor trailer (safely) in high winds.

Before you even get on the road you should be checking weather while you are planning your trip. Make sure to check what you are driving into. Don’t just check to see if there is going to be snow or rain, make sure you take a look at wind speeds as well.

A lot of truck drivers overlook this or underestimate wind speed dangers. A good rule of thumb to know is that winds that are 60mph+ are dangerous for trailers. If the wind speed is under 60 mph you should be okay but still be cautious if the wind speed is in the 40mph to 59mph range.

Also, be sure to consider your load weight before you head into an area that has or is expecting high winds. A load weight of 70,000 lbs. is obviously going to be more difficult to tip over than a tractor with a load weight of 35,000 lbs.

Don’t let strong winds take you by surprise. Good planning and awareness can prevent a disaster. If you need a good app for you smart phone take a look at this one, it’s the NOAA (National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration) official app for iPhone and Android phones. Actually, this is a great app to have to receive all kinds of weather related alerts, not just wind speeds. For some more free apps for truck drivers I recommend you read this article.

Trying an alternate route might be an option to avoid high winds. Check out what your options are using a good GPS for trucking like this Garmin on Amazon. If it is viable then you should take it. Sure, the drive time might be longer but it beats parking your tractor trailer and not moving at all. Listen to the weather reports and talk to other drivers to find out what your alternate route options are and make sure they are safe too.

If wind conditions are so bad that you simply cannot drive anymore you need to park and wait it out. You are the only person that can make this decision. If you feel it is no longer save to drive then find a place to park.

When looking for a parking place try to find a building that you can park next to so that it cuts down the wind a little.

Another trick is to try and park so that your tractor trailer is facing the wind. This will minimize the amount of wind hitting your trailer.

I know that waiting it out isn’t the greatest option but sometimes you just have to do it. Take care of yourself first and then worry about the load and dispatchers.

You know that your dispatch is going to pressure you into driving regardless of wind speeds. They don’t care. They aren’t the ones driving the truck. Don’t give in to pressure from anyone, if you feel like the wind is too strong be prepared to stop or take an alternate route.

Don’t ever let someone else (dispatch) determine your safety. Don’t do it.

If you do have to drive when it’s windy make sure that you slow down. As a matter of fact you should use the same caution as you would if it were snowing or raining. There will be times when the winds will be a little stronger than usual but it’s okay to keep driving. When this happens you should adjust your speed accordingly.

You know your truck, listen to what it is telling you and you will be okay.

An empty trailer is at a greater risk in high winds than a trailer that is carrying a 30,000 lb load. It’s common sense that more force is needed to turn over an object with more mass. If you are running empty you need to keep this in mind before it’s too late.

If the wind is blowing from the rear (I’m not talking about farting here) then it might actually be an advantage. The added force from the wind can reduce the amount of fuel you use thus saving you money. See, there is a positive to driving in windy conditions. Caution: wind direction can change quickly so be careful with this one.

Sometimes wind speeds will be less at night which gives you an opportunity to get on the road safer. Wait it out until the night, check wind speeds, plan your stops, and get moving. Tough one though, driving at night has it’s own unique challenges.

Wind is weather. Just like snow, ice, fog, and rain you need to respect mother nature and drive with more caution and awareness when turning, backing, and driving.

If there are warning signs (actual signs) posted over/along the route warning drivers of high winds please don’t ignore them. It’s your responsibility! Don’t blame dispatch. They will run for the hills as soon as you crash.

Flatbed drivers are at an advantage because they don’t have a trailer (high surface area) that catches the winds and tips them over. If you are willing to put up with tarping and could lose some weight then flatbedding is for you.

This is a myth that truck drivers talk about all the time when driving in windy conditions. There is no truth to it all. If a strong crosswind hits the side of your trailer the wind is going to tip it over. It doesn’t matter how fast you are going. If you do get tipped over by the wind it’s probably better to get tipped over when going slow, not fast. That’s my opinion at least. I’d rather tip at 30 mph instead of 63 mph.

I wish Mythbusters were still around to tackle this myth.

Where next? Why not head on over to my free truck driver job board to find out what jobs are available in your area?

You’ll find some really unique jobs that you won’t see anywhere else.

11 Tips To PASS CDL School

CDL Training Spot is for drivers of all types. If you already have your CDL or are seeking one then you’ll find this site practical and packed with useful advice nobody ever told you.

Driving a tractor trailer OTR with Schneider and regionally (Midwest) since 2011 I have learned a lot and hope some of it will help you too.

I’m sure you will find something to make your life on the road a little easier.

Written by Mesilla Valley Transportation

04/10/2019

At Mesilla Valley Transportation, we take pride in being an example and leader in the transportation and truck driving industry. With hundreds of trucks, drivers and many different driving routes, MVT is continuously focused on training our drivers in all aspects of safety. Even if you don’t drive for MVT, we suggest watching this video and reading this blog for added safety information.

Here is a detailed list of safety tips on how to safely back up your trailer, and some information on the proper way to park within the space for your trailer.

1. Maintain a low speed. We suggest driving no faster than 5 MPH when in a parking lot or a crowded area. That will give you enough time to react to other vehicles, people or items on the road.

2. Make sure your windows are rolled down completely. Doing so will help you become more aware of your surroundings, and will allow you to hear if someone is honking their horn or shouting a warning. This is a must-do safety tip when driving through a congested lot.

3. Find your target parking zone. Once found, pull up right next to it and keep at least 4 feet away from other trailers in the area. As soon as you do, align the center of your drive axles with the center of the target zone.

5. Once you have determined if the area is a safe spot to park in, check the back of your trailer and make sure your trailer tails are closed.

6. Once back inside the truck, prepare to back up. Use the stripes in the right-hand mirror when turning to the right.

7. Once you are in position, honk your horn while flashing your lights to signal that you are backing up into the designated spot. You will then back into the spot. Make sure to take your time and be aware of your surroundings.

8. Finally, when you feel comfortable in your location, place the vehicle in neutral gear and put on your break, you may then turn off the vehicle.

These tips for backing up into a parking space should help any driver in their day-to-day driving routine. Remember to always have safety first on your mind when driving in any situation. For more information and tips on safety, you can contact our safety department at (915) 791-8700.

Drivers may not take any of the following medications including Hydrocodone while operating a commercial vehicle:

If you use ANY of these medications you are required to be out of service until 24 hrs have past since your last dose was taken.

As a physician with significant experience in occupational medicine, I believe some clarification is needed;

Under DOT regulations, the medications that are strictly banned are methadone, insulin and anticonvulsants when used for seizure disorder.

Hydrocodone is NOT specifically banned (or tested for) under DOT regulations. However, this medication is a potential safety concern, and caution should be used when this medication has been prescribed.

The duration of action of hydrocodone is generally in the 4-6 hour range. Generally I would advise someone to avoid driving for 12 hours or more after taking this medication.

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Sharing the road with a tractor-trailer is a nerve-wracking experience for many drivers — and for good reason. A tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, at least 30 times more than the average car. When crashes happen, the outlook for motorists in the smaller car is bleak. In fact, the vast majority of those injured and killed in U.S. truck accidents are the occupants of the other vehicle, not the tractor-trailer drivers.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that there were 4,237 fatal tractor-trailer accidents nationwide last year. There were 102,000 injury crashes. These figures are the highest they’ve been in a decade. For that reason, it’s never been more important to learn how to avoid tractor-trailer wrecks.

Tips for Avoiding Truck Accidents

Here’s what you need to know:

Stay out of the “No Zone”

There are several areas the drivers need to avoid when traveling alongside a commercial truck. These spots are called the “No Zone” and include:

• Its blind spots: Two of the blind spots are on the side of the truck, just like a regular driver’s. The difference is that the truck’s blind spots are bigger, especially on the right side.
• Directly behind the truck: Tractor-trailers have no rearview mirrors. That means that operators have no way of spotting motorists who are driving directly behind them, especially if they are following too closely. This increases the chances of deadly underride accidents if the truck has to brake suddenly.
• Straight in front of the tractor-trailer: According to FMCSA, the operator of a fully-loaded truck driving in good conditions will need a distance the length of two football fields to stop. Driving directly in front of the truck puts motorists at risk of serious override accidents if they need to hit the brakes in an emergency.

Don’t Make Sudden Lane Changes

Due to a tractor-trailer’s sizeable blind spots, you need to drive predictably. Don’t weave in and out of traffic. When making lane changes, be sure to use your turn signal and wait a few seconds to give the trucker enough time to see you.

In addition, you should allow extra space between your car and the tractor-trailer. Where the two-second rule might be enough time to respond to an unexpected circumstance involving another car, it’s a good idea to allow five to eight seconds between your vehicle and a tractor-trailer.

Remember That Trucks Have a Wider Turning Radius

It’s not easy for trucks to make tight turns, especially on city streets. In some cases, the trucker may need to swing out wide in order to make the turn without striking another vehicle or riding on the sidewalk, putting both drivers and pedestrians at risk. Do your part to avoid a crash by not trying to zoom past a turning truck. Give the driver time to negotiate the turn carefully to keep everyone safe.

Injured in a Tractor-Trailer Accident?

Most truck drivers are responsible and do their best to avoid crashes. But sometimes, carelessness — either on the part of the trucker, truck driver, cargo loader, or another party — can lead to tractor-trailer accidents in South Carolina and North Carolina. If you were injured in a truck accident, it’s important to get advice from a skilled truck accident attorney.

Talk to Stewart Law Offices today. Our hardworking lawyers have years of experience representing people who have been harmed or lost a family member in truck accidents in the Carolinas. If you’ve been hurt, you can count on our law firm to push for full and fair compensation for your losses.

Call or contact us today for a free consultation.

21 September, 2017

A tractor clutch will prematurely wear out if it is held down while driving the tractor. Get more tips for driving a tractor in this free video on tractor operation.

Transcript

Ok, now, we want to start with just basic operation, and maneuvering the tractor, and you’ll hear me say this a lot. We’re going to buckle our seatbelt first, and then we’ll get the tractor started in neutral. Clutch depressed, brake pedal depressed. Start it up. I’m going to release my parking brake, there. With the clutch pedal fully depressed, I’m going to flip the tractor in to gear, and we’ll start with a fairly low gear, right there, and hands on the wheel, and you just want to let off on the clutch very slowly, and it’s really much easier than driving a car, but very similar. Steer to the right. Press your clutch pedal down, to stop the tractor. Now, it’s important that you leave your foot off of the clutch pedal, when you’re driving the tractor. You don’t want to try and modulate your speed, by pressing the clutch pedal partway down. It’s easy to do it. It’s a very common mistake, and it leads to very rapid wear of your clutch, so when you’re driving, your foot is completely off the clutch. When you’re shifting gears, you’re depressing the clutch pedal completely. Now, we’re going to shift it into reverse. It went into gear really easily just then, but sometimes your gears don’t line up, and it doesn’t want to go into gear. You don’t want to beat on the lever, because you risk damaging components in your transmission. What you want to do in a case like that, is apply a little pressure in the direction you want to shift the lever, and then very slowly, let off the clutch pedal just a little bit, and those gears will start to turn and align, and that pedal. The lever will drop right into place. Ok, so now we’re in reverse. I’m going to check my clearance back here. Make sure I’m not going to run over anything. Let off on that clutch all the way, and again to stop, you got to push that clutch pedal down. These tractors have a lot of tort. You can apply the brake pedal, and the tractor may keep going, because you have to press that clutch pedal down, so the engine is not driving you forward. To shut the tractor off, we’ll make sure we’re in neutral. We’ll set that parking brake. We’re going to lower our implement to the ground, and then in the case of this tractor. We’ll shut it down, by simply closing the throttle, and then turning the key off, to turn off the electrical system, and it’s that simple.

Truck Driver – Tractor Trailer Salary

How much does a Truck Driver – Tractor Trailer make in the United States? The average Truck Driver – Tractor Trailer salary in the United States is $53,278 as of July 27, 2020, but the range typically falls between $47,044 and $61,092. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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Most companies require their truck drivers to have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Many companies require drivers to attend professional truck-driving schools, where they take training courses to learn how to maneuver large vehicles on highways or through crowded streets.

During these classes, drivers also learn the federal laws and regulations governing interstate truck driving. Students attend either a private truckdriving school or a program at a community college that lasts between three and six months.

Upon finishing their classes, drivers receive a certificate of completion.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is considering a requirement that mandates all newly hired interstate truck drivers to take a truckdriving course.

The Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI) certifies a small percentage of driver-training courses at truckdriver training schools that meet both the industry standards and the U.S. Department of Transportation guidelines for training tractor-trailer drivers.

Licenses, certifications

and registrations

All long-haul truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Qualifications for obtaining a CDL vary by state but generally include passing both a knowledge test and a driving test.

States have the right to refuse to issue a CDL to anyone who has had a CDL suspended by another state.

Drivers can get endorsements to their CDL that show their ability to drive a specialized type of vehicle. Truck drivers transporting hazardous materials (HAZMAT) must have a hazardous materials endorsement (H). Getting this endorsement requires passing an additional knowledge test and a background check.

Federal regulations require random testing of on-duty truck drivers for drug or alcohol abuse. In addition, truck drivers can have their CDL suspended if they are convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs or are convicted of a felony involving the use of a motor vehicle.

Other actions can result in a suspension after multiple violations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website has a list of these violations. Additionally, some companies have stricter standards than what federal regulations require.

Training

After completing truck-driving school and being hired by a company, drivers normally receive between one and three months of on-the-job training. During this time, they drive a truck with a more experienced mentor–driver in the passenger seat.

This period of on-the-job training is given so that the new drivers will learn more about the specific type of truck they will drive and material they will transport.

Important qualities

• Hand-eye coordination. Drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes simultaneously so that they will react appropriately to the situation around them and drive the vehicle safely.

• Hearing ability. Truck drivers need good hearing. Federal regulations require that a driver be able to hear a forced whisper in one ear at 5 feet (with or without the use of a hearing aid).

• Physical health. Federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website has a full list of medical conditions that disqualify someone from driving a long-haul truck.

• Visual ability. Truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests. Federal regulations require a driver to have at least 20/40 vision with a 70-degree field of vision in each eye and the ability to distinguish the colors on a traffic light.

When you drive a tractor-trailer, the first rule is probably always to make sure you don’t smash your cargo into an overpass. Yet on Thursday morning that’s exactly what happened. A tractor-trailer in the greater Lansing, Michigan area was just 300 feet away from arriving at a Gault auto dealership to drop off four cars when it plowed into the Front Street Railroad Bridge.

The cars were badly damaged, and total costs from the wreck were in the range of $85,000 to $100,000. That figure includes the repairs needed to fix the front steel frame of the trailer, which was also a casualty of the crash, according to a report by pressconnects.com, a news website run by the Gannett company.

The police officer on the scene summed up the accident.

“When a truck that’s 13 feet 6 inches tall tries to drive under a bridge that’s not quite that tall, it doesn’t make it,” said city Patrolman Jeff Carpenter, who responded to the scene.

The freak accident it turns out isn’t so freakish.

About three to four such incidents occur per year in Michigan, pressconnects reports, and this year has already seen four such accidents. The most recent witnessed the crash of a furniture truck.

The mismatch of local tractor trailers, and the failure of drivers to abide, is of a piece with the Midwest’s ongoing infrastructure crisis. Most famously, in 2008, the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed in Minneapolis.

The tragedy took 13 lives, and was seen as a wakeup call to fix the nation’s hobbled infrastructure. The final investigation concluded one of the bridge’s metal plates was not thick enough to sustain all the bridge’s girders. The collapse of the bridge, which was built in the 1960’s, was held up as a potential symbol of America’s backslide as Asian giants continued their assent, embodied by their state-of-the-art infrastructure.

“This could well be a one-off thing. But you don’t know that,” said one of the National Transportation Safety Board inspectors at the time, according to the New York Times.

Leading labor commentators including former Clinton cabinet member Robert Reich have pointed out the opportunity provided by the infrastructure woes — the chance to put the unemployed back to work.

The proposals have sprung up for sectors not just related to transportation. Most notably, Illinois Democratic Representative Jan Schakowsky has led the charge to jump start the upgrade the country’s worn down public school buildings. The program, known as Fix America’s Schools Today (FAST), notes that the country’s buildings are on average forty years old, and would benefit from roughly $500 billion worth of repairs. FAST projects the program could employ some 500,000 workers.

Specific training on driving a commercial motor vehicle will be required in February 2020. The new federal training requirement is known as the “Entry Level Driver Training” rule, or ELDT.

Until the new ELDT rule goes into effect, there is no specific federal training required to get a CDL (although some states have their own training requirements). Applicants for a CDL simply need to pass several knowledge tests at their local DMV to obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), and then successfully take a state CDL test to be issued a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

The CDL test is a 3 part test that includes vehicle inspection of about 100 items, ability to complete multiple specific backing maneuvers in a truck, and a road test that evaluates the driver’s proficiency in the operation of a truck under numerous road and traffic conditions. The state CDL test is administered and graded by a State Examiner who has been trained to evaluate driving skill using a detailed scoring system.

The bottom line is that until the ELDT rule goes into effect in 2020, a driver seeking a CDL is not required to take any specific training. But . . . 9 out of 10 people will not come close to passing the CDL test without going through training. And the 1 person who could pass the CDL test without formal training would probably have to have some experience driving a vehicle with a trailer (like a camper, boat, farm vehicle, etc.), and would need to really study all the specific requirements.

Anyone who has been in or near a tractor-trailer knows that they are difficult to drive for those with no experience. Tractor-trailers are known as “articulated vehicles.” This means that the vehicle has a permanent or semi-permanent pivot joint in its construction. For a tractor-trailer, this is the fifth wheel point where the tractor power unit attaches to the non-powered semi-trailer. Articulated vehicles have numerous operating differences from 4 wheel cars or trucks, including differences in backing, steering, turning, braking and handling (just to name a few). In addition, trucks can have complicated 10 speed transmissions, and they are larger and heavier than other vehicles.

For this reason, learning how to safely and competently drive a tractor-trailer is necessary, even if not required to take the CDL test. Moreover, training is almost always required for safety reasons.

That is why truck driving schools are so important. Good schools can provide a safe learning environment for those who have no experience operating a tractor-trailer. This helps new drivers understand the unique characteristics of a truck, learn all the truck systems, and get the benefit of experienced instructors. CDL training also offers practice and skill development starting with non-traffic areas and moving to more difficult traffic patterns.

So, while CDL training may not be required until at least 2020, anyone who has driven a tractor trailer, or who is responsible for their safe operation, will tell you that CDL training is necessary in order to pass the CDL test or operate a truck safely.

Specific training on driving a commercial motor vehicle will be required in February 2020. The new federal training requirement is known as the “Entry Level Driver Training” rule, or ELDT.

Until the new ELDT rule goes into effect, there is no specific federal training required to get a CDL (although some states have their own training requirements). Applicants for a CDL simply need to pass several knowledge tests at their local DMV to obtain a commercial learner’s permit (CLP), and then successfully take a state CDL test to be issued a commercial driver’s license (CDL).

The CDL test is a 3 part test that includes vehicle inspection of about 100 items, ability to complete multiple specific backing maneuvers in a truck, and a road test that evaluates the driver’s proficiency in the operation of a truck under numerous road and traffic conditions. The state CDL test is administered and graded by a State Examiner who has been trained to evaluate driving skill using a detailed scoring system.

The bottom line is that until the ELDT rule goes into effect in 2020, a driver seeking a CDL is not required to take any specific training. But . . . 9 out of 10 people will not come close to passing the CDL test without going through training. And the 1 person who could pass the CDL test without formal training would probably have to have some experience driving a vehicle with a trailer (like a camper, boat, farm vehicle, etc.), and would need to really study all the specific requirements.

Anyone who has been in or near a tractor-trailer knows that they are difficult to drive for those with no experience. Tractor-trailers are known as “articulated vehicles.” This means that the vehicle has a permanent or semi-permanent pivot joint in its construction. For a tractor-trailer, this is the fifth wheel point where the tractor power unit attaches to the non-powered semi-trailer. Articulated vehicles have numerous operating differences from 4 wheel cars or trucks, including differences in backing, steering, turning, braking and handling (just to name a few). In addition, trucks can have complicated 10 speed transmissions, and they are larger and heavier than other vehicles.

For this reason, learning how to safely and competently drive a tractor-trailer is necessary, even if not required to take the CDL test. Moreover, training is almost always required for safety reasons.

That is why truck driving schools are so important. Good schools can provide a safe learning environment for those who have no experience operating a tractor-trailer. This helps new drivers understand the unique characteristics of a truck, learn all the truck systems, and get the benefit of experienced instructors. CDL training also offers practice and skill development starting with non-traffic areas and moving to more difficult traffic patterns.

So, while CDL training may not be required until at least 2020, anyone who has driven a tractor trailer, or who is responsible for their safe operation, will tell you that CDL training is necessary in order to pass the CDL test or operate a truck safely.

Contents

A semi-trailer truck (more commonly semi truck or simply “semi”), also known as an articulated lorry, artic or tractor-trailer is the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight.

A tractor-trailer full of candy lost control and flipped over in New Jersey, in what police say was a case of road rage. The accident happened on Route 17 in Mahwah. Police say the driver of an SUV ob…

The tractor-trailer had just left McDonald’s and was negotiating the turn when the 13 ½ foot tall vehicle hit the overhead po…

The southbound lanes of I-495 in Claymont, Delaware have reopened after a tractor-trailer crashed into a car that was broken down on the side of the road, and then overturned and caught on fire. This …

All he had to do was spend a few short weeks composing a new design for Sheetz’s fleet of bright-red trucks, earning a spot a…

Montana Overweight Permits Permits for commercial motor carriers If you’re transporting a load or have equipment that exceeds the legal width, length, height, or weight, a permit is required. A temporary fuel or licensing permit may also be needed if you are not registered in Montana. I had originally thought the company would pay more than it did
Montana Dot Permits Permits for Commercial Motor Carriers If you’re transporting a load or have equipment that exceeds the legal width, length, height, or weight, a permit is required. A temporary fuel or licensing permit may also be needed if you are not registered in Montana. Superloads superloads. superload permits. superload coordination, including superload permitting and route surveying
Alabama Overweight Permits Is there a bias in the workplace against people who are “overweight”? Is weight a protected class … We’ve already mentioned that 49 states and virtually every locality in the US permit weight bias, … Value Pricing on All Permits! Alabama, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin Oversize-Overweight Permit portal. smart

Most tractor trailer trucks have a height between 13 1/2 to 14 feet. There are special allowances and restrictions in some states for low clearances on certain roads.

Wide Load Permit Florida … purpose of the Web enabled permit routing system is to simplify issuing and obtaining permits and routing maps for oversize and overweight vehicles on Florida highways. Businesses and organization… Customers can now SELF-ISSUE Trip Permits using the permit application system (pas ) for loads up to 16 feet wide, 18 feet high, 150 long and

It’s here: The 75-foot-tall Christmas tree known as the “People’s Tree … But it can’t be too stiff because it has to fit on …

Superloads superloads. superload permits. superload coordination, including superload permitting and route surveying is a complex task. WCS keeps routing databases and works closely with state and local government to ensure safe and on time service. WCS will propose an alternate route for the superload … A series of superloads coming through Spokane will travel down a

What John Deere tractors are made in US? How fast can semi tractor trucks travel? Why are there gaps between a tractor and a trailer? Which type of gears are used in tractors? How do you turn a tractor into a monster car/truck? Can I still drive a semi-tractor and trailer if Blue Air is damaged?

Most tractor trailer trucks have a height between 13 1/2 to 14 feet. There are special allowances and restrictions in some states for low clearances on certain roads. Unlike the length and width of the truck, there is no federal requirement for the height of a tractor trailer.

Tractor-Trailer dimensions to help you plan your shipments with YRC Freight. See all YRC freight trailer dimensions for your freight shipment.

The front end of a tractor-trailer was completely engulfed in flames … The crash happened on Route 287 in Ramapo just befor…

But, with a tractor, moving trailers to mow around them, is a breeze. Having said that, this video The worse danger for what I’m talking about was with the older tractors, especially the tricycle front First, most of them had no front end loader and were light on the front. Second, they were tall so the…