Virginia CDL DMV Combination 2

When coupling, make sure you couple matching glad hands. They are often color-coded to help drivers avoid mistakes. Typically, blue is used for service lines and red is used for emergency lines.

If a vehicle is top-heavy, it is more likely to roll over. The weight of cargo should be positioned as low in a trailer as possible to minimize this risk.

When backing a vehicle with a trailer, you must turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite of where you want to go. Once your trailer starts to turn, you should turn the steering wheel the other way to follow the trailer.

If you need to back your trailer but cannot back up in a straight path, you should back on a curved path toward the driver's side of the vehicle. This will allow you the best possible visibility while backing.

To test the trailer service brakes, you should first ensure that the braking system has a normal air pressure level, then release the parking brake. You should then move the vehicle forward slowly and apply the brakes with the hand control. If the trailer service brakes are working properly, you will feel the brakes activate.

When positioning trailers in a combination, the most heavily-loaded trailer should be the closest to the tractor. The lightest trailer should be positioned in the rear.

Cargo weight should be evenly distributed within a trailer to reduce the risk of a rollover. Do not place too much weight on one side of a trailer.

When coupling air brake hoses, you should make sure the proper pairs of gland hands are connected. They are sometimes color-coded to help drivers avoid mistakes. Typically, blue is used for service lines and red is used for emergency lines.

Before a trip, be sure to inspect all couplings. There should be no space between the upper and lower fifth wheel.

All trailers and converter dollies manufactured on or after March 1, 1998 must have Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS).

A tractor protection valve keeps air in a tractor or truck air brake system should the trailer break away or develop a bad leak. The valve will close automatically if the pressure drops to an unsafe level.

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.

An Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps prevent wheel lockup during hard braking. If ABS detects impending lockup, it reduces braking pressure to a safe level.

Never use the trailer hand valve while operating your vehicle. Using the trailer hand valve while driving can cause your trailer to skid.

Be sure to test the trailer emergency brakes before beginning a trip. After ensuring that the trailer rolls freely, you can test the emergency brakes by pulling out the trailer air supply control, or placing it in the "emergency" position. Pull forward slightly with the tractor and make sure the trailer does not move.

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

You should always steer gently and smoothly while pulling a trailer. Making sudden steering moves could cause the trailer to tip over.

When backing up to couple a trailer, you should position the tractor directly in front of the trailer. Trying to couple while backing at an angle could cause the trailer to move and the landing gear to break.

A tractor protection valve keeps air in a tractor or truck air brake system should the trailer break away or develop a bad leak. The valve will close automatically if the pressure drops to an unsafe level.

At speeds below 40 mph, you should allow at least one second of following distance for every 10 feet of your vehicle. Follow the same formula when traveling at faster speeds, then add one additional second to your following distance. Remember that larger vehicles require more space to stop than smaller vehicles.