Connecticut CDL DMV Endorsement Tank 1

Be sure to activate the appropriate turn signal well in advance of a turn or lane change. Signal continuously throughout the turn and make sure to cancel the signal after the turn is completed, if your vehicle doesn't have self-canceling signals.

When driving through work zones, you should make a particular point of reducing your speed when workers are on or near the road.

In some emergencies, the best strategy for avoiding a hazard may be to drive onto the shoulder. Most shoulders are strong enough to support the weight of a large vehicle.

Distracted drivers perceive hazards on the road more slowly than drivers who are focused, or they do not perceive hazards at all.

To keep an engine fire from spreading, you should turn off the vehicle's engine as soon as possible. Do not open the hood if you don't have to.

If you begin to feel tired while driving, you should stop to get some sleep. Trying to push on to reach your destination while tired is dangerous. You should not rely on caffeine to keep you awake.

In heavy traffic, it is safest to travel at the same speed as other vehicles. If two vehicles continue to drive in the same direction at the same speed, they cannot hit each other.

The heavier a vehicle is, the more the brakes will need to work to bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Drivers with blocked vision may pose hazards to others on the road. Examples of such drivers include those who haven't scraped ice off of their windshields; those driving vehicles loaded with large items blocking the windows; and those who are driving rental trucks without being used to the limited rear visibility of a truck.

Black ice is a thin layer of ice that is clear enough for the road surface to be seen through it. A road covered in black ice may look like it is merely wet.

Wheels or rims that have had welding repairs are not safe for use. They should be replaced before the vehicle is taken on the road.

A steering wheel should be held firmly with both hands, placed on opposite sides of the wheel.

When inspecting a vehicle's exhaust system, be alert to a number of potential problems, including loose, broken, or missing exhaust pipes, mufflers, tailpipes, or vertical stacks; loose, broken, or missing mounting brackets, clamps, bolts, or nuts; exhaust system parts rubbing against fuel system parts, tires, or other moving parts of the vehicle; and exhaust system parts that are leaking.

There are two indicators that determine when you need to shift into a higher gear. One indicator is the engine speed (rpm). You should read your vehicle's manual to learn its rpm range and shift up when you reach the top of that range. The other indicator is road speed (mph). You should learn which speeds each gear can accommodate, then keep an eye on the speedometer and shift up as needed.

Air tanks should be drained daily to remove water and oil buildup. An excess of oil and water in the air tanks can interfere with proper brake function.

It is important to observe other drivers' actions and identify clues that a person could be driving impaired. Drivers who have had too much to drink, are sleepy, are on drugs, or are ill can present hazards to other drivers. One sign that a driver may be impaired is that they stop in inappropriate places, such as at green traffic lights.

Check your engine during the pre-trip inspection. After starting the engine, you should listen for unusual noises.

If the brakes pull to one side or the other when used, it is an indication of brake trouble.

For safe operation, a commercial motor vehicle needs a tread depth of 4/32 of an inch in every major groove on the front tires, and a tread depth of 2/32 of an inch on other tires.

When hazardous materials placards are required, they must be placed on all four sides of the vehicle.