Wisconsin CDL DMV Endorsement Tank 1

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. You should be very careful when temperatures are below freezing and the road looks wet.

Containers of hazardous materials must be braced so that they will not fall, slide, or bounce around during transportation.

A material's ID number must appear on its accompanying shipping paper as well as on its packaging. It also must appear on cargo tanks and other bulk packaging.

If your brakes fail on a downgrade, you will have to look outside your vehicle for a way to stop. Using an escape ramp is the safest way to stop your vehicle.

Commercial vehicles should always carry the proper emergency equipment. Be sure your vehicle is equipped with at least one fire extinguisher; spare electrical fuses, unless the vehicle is equipped with circuit breakers; and warning devices for parked vehicles, such as warning triangles, fuses, or liquid burning flares.

Baffled liquid tanks contain bulkheads with holes in them that allow the movement of liquid. This helps to inhibit the forward and backward surge of liquids. Baffled liquid tanks do not prevent side-to-side surge and may still allow rollovers.

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.

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.

Air storage tanks are used to hold compressed air. The number and size of air tanks in an air brake system varies among vehicles.

To reduce the chances of becoming fatigued on a long trip, a driver should stop for a break at least once every two hours or 100 miles driven.

If your brakes fail while you are driving downhill, you should first look for an escape ramp to stop your vehicle. If no ramp is available, you should look for an alternative place to bring your vehicle to a stop, such as an open field or side road that flattens out or turns uphill.

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.

The doors of a trailer should be not be opened in the event of a cargo fire, especially if the cargo includes hazardous materials. Opening trailer doors would increase the fire's oxygen supply, potentially causing the fire to increase in size.

Be sure to inspect your vehicle before driving. Never drive a tank vehicle with open valves or manhole covers.

To reduce the risk of distraction, do not engage in complex or emotionally intense conversations while driving. Pre-programming radio stations before your trip and avoiding eating, drinking, or smoking while at the wheel can also help you avoid becoming distracted while driving. Remember that mental distractions that take your attention away from the task of driving can be just as dangerous as physical distractions.

A tank vehicle has a number of items that must be checked during a pre-trip inspection. Refer to the operator's manual for your specific vehicle to ensure that you are checking the vehicle properly. When inspecting any tank vehicle, it is most important to verify that there are no leaks.

Before starting down a hill, decelerate and shift down into a gear that will allow you to control your vehicle without braking too hard. Using too much brake when driving downhill can cause the brakes to overheat, reducing the braking power.

If you observe a crash involving an aggressive driver, you should stop a safe distance from the crash scene, wait for police to arrive, and inform them of the aggressive behavior you witnessed.

Brake linings should not be loose or soaked with oil or grease. They shouldn't be dangerously thin.

Press the brake pedal down smoothly and gradually every time you slow or stop. The amount of brake pressure you need to apply depends on the speed of your vehicle and how quickly you need to stop.