BRTA Professional Driving Test cheat sheet

Regulatory signs (white background, black/red legend) state a legal requirement; warning signs are yellow diamonds; guide signs are green or blue rectangles.

A steady circular red means stop before the stop line or crosswalk; a steady circular green grants right-of-way subject to yielding to pedestrians and oncoming traffic when turning.

A flashing red signal is treated as a stop sign; a flashing yellow requires slowing and proceeding with caution; a red arrow prohibits movement in that direction only.

Solid white lines separate lanes of same-direction traffic and should not be crossed; solid yellow lines separate opposing traffic and prohibit passing when on your side.

Broken yellow lines permit passing when safe; a double solid yellow line prohibits passing in both directions.

At a four-way stop, the vehicle that arrived first proceeds first; if two arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the right has right-of-way.

A railroad crossbuck (X-shaped sign) means yield to trains; flashing red lights and/or gates require a full stop regardless of train visibility.

Right on red is permitted after a complete stop and yield unless a sign prohibits it; left on red is permitted only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, where local law allows.

The three-second following rule: when the rear of the vehicle ahead passes a fixed object, count three seconds before your front bumper reaches it; add one second per adverse condition.

Total stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance; reaction distance grows linearly with speed, braking distance grows with the square of speed.

Space cushion rule: maintain at least one car length per 10 mph of speed as a minimum gap in ideal conditions.

The Smith System five keys: Aim High in Steering, Get the Big Picture, Keep Your Eyes Moving, Leave Yourself an Out, Make Sure They See You.

Scan 12-15 seconds ahead in urban areas and 20-30 seconds on highways; check mirrors every 5-8 seconds.

Hydroplaning begins at roughly 35 mph on wet pavement with worn tires; ease off the accelerator and avoid braking hard to recover traction.

At night, dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet when following.

Blind spots exist on all four sides of a large vehicle; if you cannot see the driver's face in their mirror, they cannot see you.

Pre-trip inspection sequence: engine compartment (fluids, belts, hoses), walk-around (lights, tires, body), then in-cab (gauges, brakes, steering, mirrors, horn).

Minimum tire tread depth: 4/32 inch on front steer tires, 2/32 inch on all other tires; check with a tread-depth gauge, not by eye.

Air brake leak test: with engine off and system charged, loss should not exceed 3 psi per minute (single vehicle) or 4 psi per minute (combination) with brakes released.

Brake adjustment limit: pushrod travel should not exceed the manufacturer's limit; a common rule is no more than 1 inch beyond the slack adjuster's rated stroke.

Mirror adjustment: you should see a sliver of your own vehicle at the inner edge and the lane beside you; convex mirrors show a wider view but objects appear farther away.

ABS does not shorten stopping distance on all surfaces; it prevents wheel lockup so you retain steering control during hard braking-maintain firm pressure and steer.

Engine retarders (Jake brakes) are prohibited in many municipalities and should be disengaged on wet or slippery surfaces to avoid drive-wheel skid.

Coolant temperature, oil pressure, and air pressure gauges should be monitored continuously; a sudden drop in oil pressure requires immediate shutdown.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum total weight of a single vehicle including cargo, fuel, and passengers; never exceed it.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the maximum allowable weight of a towing vehicle plus trailer plus all loads.

Payload capacity = GVWR minus curb weight; this figure, not the tow rating, limits what you can legally carry.

Cargo must be secured so it cannot shift, spill, or fall; a common standard is one tiedown per 10 feet of cargo length and a working load limit of at least 50% of the cargo weight.

Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers; children under the age threshold must use an approved child restraint in the rear seat where available.

Passengers must not ride in the cargo area of a truck or trailer; standing on a moving vehicle is prohibited.

Loads extending more than 4 feet behind the vehicle require a red or orange flag (or reflective marker) during the day and a red light at night.

Weight distribution matters: shifting cargo rearward reduces steering-axle load, which degrades steering control and can cause a jackknife.

If a tire blows out: grip the wheel firmly, ease off the accelerator, do not brake hard, and steer to a controlled stop off the roadway.

Brake failure response: pump the pedal to build pressure, downshift to a lower gear, apply the parking brake gradually, and use a runaway ramp or friction surface if available.

In a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go (steer into the skid) and avoid hard braking until control is regained.

At an accident scene: stop, protect the scene (hazard lights, triangles at 10/100/200 feet), call emergency services, render aid within your training, and exchange information.

Do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger (fire, traffic); moving them can worsen spinal injuries.

Report a crash to law enforcement when there is injury, death, or property damage above the state threshold (often $1,000 or more).

Fire extinguisher use-PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.

Hazardous materials involvement requires keeping upwind and uphill, isolating the area, and notifying authorities; never attempt to clean up a spill yourself.

Professional conduct requires arriving on time, in uniform, with a clean and mechanically sound vehicle; punctuality is a measurable service standard.

Confidentiality: passenger names, addresses, itineraries, and payment details must not be disclosed to third parties.

Refuse to operate a vehicle that is unsafe or when impaired; the driver has both a legal and ethical duty to decline the trip.

Customer complaints should be documented factually (time, location, description) and escalated through the company's chain of command, not debated with the customer.

Fair treatment means no discrimination based on race, religion, disability, gender, or age; service animals must be accommodated under accessibility law.

Assistance for passengers with disabilities may include boarding help, securing mobility devices, and announcing stops; ask before assisting.

Road rage avoidance: do not make eye contact with an aggressive driver, do not respond, and report the incident with a plate number if safe to do so.

Personal appearance and language reflect on the company; avoid profanity, smoking, and personal phone use while passengers are aboard.

The 11-hour driving limit: a property-carrying driver may drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

The 14-hour window: driving is not permitted after the 14th consecutive hour on duty, regardless of how many driving hours remain.

The 30-minute break rule: a driver must take a 30-minute interruption after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute break.

The 60/70-hour limit: no driving after 60 hours on duty in 7 consecutive days or 70 hours in 8 consecutive days.

The 34-hour restart resets the 60/70-hour cycle after 34 consecutive hours off duty.

Fatigue countermeasures: 7-8 hours of sleep per 24-hour cycle, scheduled breaks every 2 hours, and avoidance of driving during the circadian low (roughly 2-6 a.m.).

Route planning should account for fuel stops, weigh stations, low-clearance bridges, and hours-of-service limits before departure.

Logbook entries must be current and accurate; falsifying hours of service is a federal violation and grounds for license disqualification.

Required onboard documents typically include a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and (for commercial vehicles) a current DOT medical card.

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required for vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or for towing a trailer over 10,000 lbs.

A DOT medical examiner's certificate is valid for up to 24 months; drivers with certain conditions (e.g., insulin-treated diabetes) require shorter certification cycles.

An annual DOT inspection (49 CFR 396.17) must be documented and the report retained; a copy belongs in the vehicle.

Oversize/overweight permits are issued per state and specify allowed routes, axle weights, and escort requirements; permits do not transfer between states.

An International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) license and decal are required for interstate carriers operating qualified vehicles over 26,000 lbs.

A USDOT number is required for interstate commercial vehicles; it must be displayed on both sides of the power unit.

Insurance minimums vary by state and vehicle class; the certificate of insurance must be carried and produced on demand during an inspection.