Alaska CDL DMV Endorsement Tank 1

Ice cream trucks can create hazardous conditions for other drivers because they attract children. Children often do not notice or pay attention to other vehicles on the roadway when running to or from ice cream trucks.

When inspecting your tires, verify that there is at least 4/32 of an inch of tread depth in every major groove on the front tires, and tread depth of at least 2/32 of an inch on the other tires. Tires on the same vehicle should all be the same size.

It is common for drivers to tailgate slow-moving vehicles that cannot keep up with the speed of surrounding traffic. If you are being tailgated, allow the other driver to pass your vehicle.

Tanks require extra care when being driven because they generally have high centers of gravity. Drivers should be especially careful when taking turns and curves while operating tanks.

It is important to inspect your tires before every drive. Rust around wheel nuts may indicate that they are loose.

Potential warning signs of fatigued driving include difficulty focusing; frequent blinking or heavy eyelids; yawning repeatedly or rubbing one's eyes; daydreaming; wandering or disconnected thinking; trouble remembering the last few miles driven; missing exits or traffic signs; having trouble keeping one's head up; drifting from one's lane; following a vehicle too closely; hitting a shoulder rumble strip; and feeling restless or irritable.

The average driver has a reaction time between three-quarters of a second and one second. At 55 mph, this corresponds to a distance of 61 feet traveled.

After changing a tire, you should stop a short distance later to recheck the tightness of the tire's lug nuts.

Driving combination vehicles requires more skill than driving single commercial vehicles. Combinations are generally longer, generally heavier, and are more vulnerable to rollover.

Completing the steps of a vehicle inspection in the same order before every trip aids in learning what the proper steps are. Additionally, you be less likely to forget a step when going through the checklist in a prescribed order.

All commercial motor vehicles are required to be equipped with the proper emergency equipment. This may include spare electrical fuses; three red reflective triangles, six fuses, or three liquid burning flares; and at least one properly charged and rated fire extinguisher.

The trailer hand valve, also called the trolley valve or Johnson bar, is used to work the trailer brakes. It should be used only to test the brakes. Using it while a vehicle is in motion could cause a skid.

When accelerating, speed up smoothly and gradually so the vehicle does not jerk. Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage.

In wet conditions, a lack of spray coming from the tires of other vehicles indicates that ice has formed on the road. Be especially cautious when traveling under wet conditions in freezing weather.

Pre-trip inspections should be conducted in the same way every time. This will reinforce the steps, making it less likely that you will forget to inspect something important.

Distractions that can affect safe driving can be classified as physical (such as reaching for an object), mental (such as talking with passenger), or both (such as talking on a hand-held phone).

When checking the tires as part of a pre-trip inspection, make sure the tires have sufficient tread. There should be at least 4/32 of an inch of tread in every major groove of the front tires, and at least 2/32 of an inch of tread depth on the other tires. Tires should not be mismatched in size and radial and bias-ply tires should not be used together.

You should always complete an after-trip inspection of your vehicle at the end of a trip, day, or tour of duty. Complete a vehicle inspection report, if required.

Fully-loaded rigs are more vulnerable to rolling over than empty rigs because the weight of the cargo gives the vehicles higher centers of gravity.

The trailer hand valve (also referred to as the "trolley valve" or "Johnson bar") works the trailer brakes and should be used only when testing them. Using the trailer hand valve while driving could result in a skid.