Iowa CDL DMV Endorsement Tank 1

If you must drive in fog, be sure to slow down. Turn on your flashers and low beam headlights.

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.

While baffles in a tank inhibit forward and backward surge, they do not prevent side-to-side surge. Surge to the sides can cause rollovers.

After an engine is started, the coolant temperature should rise gradually to a normal operating range.

To reduce the risk of surge in a liquid tank, you should make sure to brake well in advance of stops. Increase your following distance to reduce the need for sudden stops.

A steering wheel should have no more than 10 degrees of play. This is equal to about two inches of movement at the rim of a 20-inch wheel. If there is more play than this, it may be difficult to steer.

A skid caused by over-acceleration can be resolved simply by removing your foot from the accelerator. Skids of this nature happen most frequently on surfaces covered in snow or ice.

A tank vehicle transporting liquids is less stable than other vehicles and may be prone to roll over or skid if not operated in a safe manner. If you must make a quick stop to avoid an accident while transporting liquid cargo, it may be a good idea to use the controlled braking method.

The stab braking method for emergency stops involves fully applying the brakes until they lock up. The brakes are then released until the wheels start rolling, and then the process is repeated.

Air expands as it gets warmer, so the air pressure in your tires could reach dangerously high levels while being driven in very hot weather. If this happens, stop and let your tires cool. Do not let air out of the tires, as this could result in the pressure dropping to an unsafe level once they cool down.

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.

An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is in place as an addition to a braking system. It intervenes to prevent brakes from locking up during hard braking. If ABS is not working, the basic braking functions on a vehicle will still remain, so the driver can continue to drive and brake normally.

When driving, you should frequently check the mirrors on both sides of your vehicle.

If your CMV gets stuck on railroad tracks, you should immediately leave the vehicle and get away from the tracks. Check the signposts or signal housing at the crossing for emergency contact information and call 911, or another appropriate emergency number.

Hazardous materials placards must be placed on a vehicle at least three inches away from any other markings and must positioned so that the words or numbers are level and read from left to right.

During the vehicle inspection test, you will be asked to do a complete inspection of your vehicle. You will need to explain what you are inspecting and why.

Truck tractors with air brakes built on or after March 1, 1997 are required to be equipped with Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS).

The suspension system holds up a vehicle and its load while keeping the axles in place. Defects in this system are extremely dangerous.

If you must make a quick stop to avoid an accident while transporting liquid cargo, it may be a good idea to use the stab braking method. Remember that attempting to steer quickly while braking may cause your vehicle to tip over, especially if it has a high center of gravity.

Slow down and be especially careful when driving in and around work zones, in places where the pavement drops off sharply at the edge of the road, when foreign objects are present on the road, and on freeway on- and off-ramps.