South Carolina CDL DMV Endorsement Passenger 2

During the on-road driving skills test, you may be asked to drive on an expressway. Make sure you maintain proper lane positioning, vehicle spacing, and vehicle speed. Continue to thoroughly check traffic in all directions while on the expressway.

When approaching your vehicle for an inspection, you should look underneath the vehicle for fresh leaks of oil, coolant, grease, or fuel. Seeing a fresh puddle of any of these fluids could indicate a safety issue with your vehicle.

Almost any foreign object on the road poses some potential danger. For example, even something as seemingly harmless as a cardboard box could contain a hard or heavy object that could damage your vehicle.

Hydroplaning is an effect in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the surface of the road and instead glide along a layer of water. There does not have to be much water on the road for this to occur.

A hot, poorly-ventilated area can make a person sleepy. Opening a window, opening a vent, or using the air conditioning can help keep the cab cool and reduce the risk of fatigue.

During a pre-trip inspection, you should activate your lights, then get out of the vehicle to look at them.

Bus passengers should not be allowed to leave baggage in any doorway or aisle. Baggage and freight must be secured in a manner that will prevent damage, allow the driver to move freely and easily, allow riders to exit by any window or door in an emergency, and protect riders from injury if the items fall or shift.

Being under stress can lead to aggressive driving, which is dangerous. Playing calming music can help you become more relaxed if you are feeling stressed while driving.

During a pre-trip inspection, belts in the engine compartment should be checked for tightness and excessive wear.

You should always apply the parking brake when leaving your vehicle.

If confronted by an aggressive driver, the most important thing for you to do is get out of their way. Avoid making eye contact, do not challenge them by increasing your speed, and do not let yourself be provoked by any angry gestures they direct toward you.

Federal and state laws require drivers to inspect their vehicles before driving to ensure that they are safe to operate.

Escape ramps are constructed in areas with steep downgrades to allow a means of safely stopping runaway vehicles. They consist of a long bed of loose, soft material, and sometimes an uphill slope.

Drivers behind you may not anticipate how slowly your CMV must travel to safely make a right turn. You can help warn them in advance by braking early and slowing gradually.

The brakes, tires, springs, and shock absorbers on heavy-duty vehicles are designed to work best when the vehicle is fully loaded. Empty trucks require longer distances to stop because their lighter weight allows them less traction.

Be careful around pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists who are wearing headphones. They may not be able to clearly hear surrounding traffic and may not be aware that you are there.

In the event of tire failure, hold the steering wheel firmly. Stay off the brakes and let the vehicle slow down on its own. Once the vehicle has slowed considerably, you should brake very gently, pull off the road, and stop.

After an engine is started, the coolant temperature should begin a gradual rise toward the normal operating range.

Factors that can affect your vehicle's stopping distance include driving speed, the vehicle's weight, and the slipperiness of the road surface.

The driver is responsible for safely operating their vehicle and delivering their cargo without delay.