Basic Control of Your Vehicle
This domain tests starting, stopping, steering, backing, and turning a commercial vehicle smoothly and within its physical limits. The exam focuses on procedures that prevent collisions and off-tracking errors.
Moving and stopping
Before moving, complete a walk-around, adjust the seat, fasten the belt, check gauges, and test the brakes. Start smoothly and confirm oil pressure. Look far ahead, brake early, and apply controlled pressure rather than waiting until the last moment. Avoid locking wheels; if wheels lock, release enough brake pressure to regain rolling traction.
Backing and turning
Back only when necessary. Get out and look, use a spotter, and back slowly. For a trailer, turn the steering wheel toward the direction you want the trailer to go, then countersteer to follow. In a left turn, a long vehicle's rear wheels track inside the front path; a slight right swing before the turn can keep the trailer off the curb, but do not swing into another lane. Watch mirrors throughout the turn.
Worked example
You drive a 53-foot trailer and must turn left at a tight corner. The rear wheels will cut inside the front wheels. Approach from the proper lane, swing slightly right before turning, move left only after the trailer clears the curb, and check the left mirror for the trailer tires. Completing the turn too wide may put you into oncoming traffic; turning too tight may put the trailer over the curb.
Traps that cost marks
Backing without a spotter or without checking behind the trailer; oversteering and then overcorrecting; riding the brakes on a downgrade; and turning wide without checking traffic. Also, do not assume a backing alarm or camera replaces getting out and looking.