Nebraska CDL General Knowledge cheat sheet

Pre-trip inspection must cover three areas: engine compartment (fluid levels, belts, hoses, steering, exhaust, leaks), walk-around (lights, tires, wheels, mud flaps, frame, coupling devices), and in-cab (seat belt, gauges, horn, wipers, mirrors, brakes).

CDL pre-trip inspection is required before each trip and after any change in load or equipment; the driver is responsible for the vehicle's condition regardless of who performed maintenance.

Tire defects that put a vehicle out of service: tread depth below 4/32 inch on front steer tires, below 2/32 inch on other tires, plus any cut, bulge, or exposed cord.

Brake adjustment limit for a standard stroke chamber: 2 inches for a clamp-type slack adjuster; for a long-stroke chamber the limit is 2.5 inches. Pushrod travel beyond the limit means the brake is out of adjustment.

Leaks in the air brake system: with a fully charged system, leakage must not exceed 3 psi per minute for a single vehicle or 4 psi per minute for a combination vehicle.

Low air pressure warning must activate before pressure drops below 60 psi; the spring brakes must apply automatically when pressure falls to roughly 20-45 psi.

The brake system check requires less than 1 inch of movement when the brake pedal is depressed and held for 5 seconds with the engine running and system charged (tractor-trailer).

Coolant, oil, and power steering fluid levels are checked cold or per manufacturer guidance; low coolant or oil, cracked belts, or leaking hoses are defects that must be corrected before departure.

Start the engine only with the transmission in neutral and the parking brake set; release the parking brake only after the engine is running and air pressure is adequate.

The steering method for a manual transmission vehicle: use both hands, keep them on opposite sides of the wheel, and do not grip the wheel from inside the rim.

Backing rule: back only when necessary, always back toward the driver's side (left) when possible, and use a helper or get out and check the area when visibility is limited.

When backing a tractor-trailer, turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go; then straighten the wheel to follow the trailer.

Stopping distance = perception distance + reaction distance + braking distance. Perception and reaction distance depend on driver alertness; braking distance grows with speed and weight.

For a manual transmission, upshift in the correct sequence and do not skip gears; downshift before a downgrade so the engine and brakes share the load.

Use the retarder or engine brake on long downgrades; do not use the service brakes continuously, since overheating can cause brake fade or failure.

Mirror use: check mirrors every 5-8 seconds and before any lane change, turn, or stop; blind spots on both sides are larger for a tractor-trailer than for a car.

Double-clutching sequence: push clutch, shift to neutral, release clutch, push clutch again, shift to the next gear, release clutch.

Floating gears (shifting without the clutch) is legal but requires matching engine speed to road speed; it is not recommended for new drivers.

Upshift too soon causes lugging (engine laboring at low rpm); downshift too late causes over-revving. Both are hard on the engine and drivetrain.

On a downgrade, select a gear low enough that the engine governor limits speed and the service brakes are needed only intermittently.

Progressive shifting (used in some fleets) means upshifting at lower rpm in lower gears and higher rpm in higher gears; it saves fuel but must match the transmission's design.

Never coast with the transmission in neutral or with the clutch disengaged; you lose engine braking and control on downgrades.

When shifting a manual transmission, match engine rpm to the gear you are entering; a mismatch produces gear clash and can damage synchronizers.

Automatic transmissions still require the driver to select a low range on long downgrades to prevent brake overheating.

Back only when necessary; if you must back, back toward the driver's side (left) whenever possible so the trailer swings into your mirror view.

Before backing, get out and walk around the vehicle to check for obstacles, pedestrians, and overhead clearance; use a helper if available.

A helper must be visible in the mirror at all times; if you lose sight of the helper, stop immediately.

For a 90-degree alley dock or offset backing, start from a position that gives the trailer room to swing; use the mirrors to track the trailer's rear corner.

Trailer swing: turning the wheel while backing causes the trailer to pivot; the longer the wheelbase, the slower the trailer responds.

Back slowly (walking pace) and use the mirrors, not the rear window; if you cannot see the area behind the trailer, stop and re-check.

When backing a straight line, small steering corrections are made with small wheel movements; large corrections cause the trailer to swing out of line.

Backing rules apply to all CMVs, including straight trucks; for straight trucks, back toward the driver's side and use a spotter when possible.

Stopping distance grows with the square of speed: doubling speed roughly quadruples braking distance.

Following distance rule: one second for each 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds below 40 mph; add one second above 40 mph. A 60-foot vehicle at 55 mph needs about 7 seconds.

The 4-second rule applies to cars; for CMVs, use the length-based rule plus an extra second for adverse conditions.

Space cushion: keep a following distance that allows you to stop even if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly; increase it at night, in rain, fog, or snow.

Look 12-15 seconds ahead (about one block in the city, a quarter mile on the highway) to spot hazards early.

On a downgrade, reduce speed before the grade begins; gravity accelerates the vehicle and braking distance increases.

Lane position: on a multi-lane road, keep the vehicle centered; when turning, swing wide enough to clear the rear wheels, since the rear wheels track inside the front wheels (off-tracking).

Speed limits for CMVs on Nebraska highways are posted; the driver must also obey any lower limit for the vehicle type, load, or road conditions.

Scan the road ahead 12-15 seconds and check mirrors every 5-8 seconds to maintain a complete picture of surrounding traffic.

Identify hazards early: a hazard is any condition that requires a change in speed or direction, such as a stalled vehicle, pedestrian, or construction zone.

The hazard perception process: (1) identify the hazard, (2) predict what might happen, (3) decide on an action, (4) execute the action.

At night, reduce speed and increase following distance; headlights illuminate only about 250 feet on low beam and 350-500 feet on high beam.

In fog, rain, or snow, slow down and use low beams; high beams reflect off precipitation and reduce visibility.

Railroad crossings: slow down, look both ways, and listen; never stop on the tracks. A CMV carrying passengers or hazardous materials must stop at all crossings.

Construction and school zones require reduced speed and extra scanning; workers and children may enter the roadway without warning.

Distracted driving, including phone use, is a leading cause of CMV crashes; Nebraska law restricts handheld phone use while driving.

Brake failure: downshift, use the parking brake gradually, and look for an escape ramp or open area; do not pump the brakes if the system has lost pressure.

Tire blowout: hold the steering wheel firmly, keep the vehicle straight, and slow gradually; do not brake hard or steer sharply.

If a tire blows on a steer axle, the vehicle will pull toward the blown tire; counter-steer gently and slow down before pulling off the road.

Fire: stop, turn off the engine, evacuate passengers, and call for help; do not open the hood if the fire is in the engine compartment, as added oxygen feeds the fire.

Skid recovery: steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, and avoid hard braking; for a trailer skid, steer to straighten the trailer.

If you must stop on the road, pull as far off as possible, turn on hazard lights, set out reflective triangles (within 10 minutes), and stay in the vehicle if it is safe.

Reflective triangle placement: on a two-lane road, place triangles 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind the vehicle; on a divided highway, place them 10 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet behind, and one on the traffic side.

If the vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, get everyone out and move away from the tracks; call the railroad emergency number posted at the crossing.

Cargo must be secured so it cannot shift, spill, or fall; the driver is responsible for checking the load and its securement before, during, and after the trip.

Aggregate working load limit (WLL) of tiedowns must be at least 50% of the cargo weight for cargo not needing special securement.

Minimum number of tiedowns: one for cargo up to 5 feet long and 1,100 lbs; two for cargo longer than 5 feet but under 10 feet; and one additional tiedown for every 10 feet beyond that.

Cargo must not extend more than 3 feet beyond the front of the vehicle or more than 4 feet beyond the rear; extended loads require flags or lights.

Front-end structure and header board: cargo must be loaded against the header board or front end structure to prevent forward movement.

For flatbed loads, use at least four tiedowns if the cargo is not blocked or positioned to prevent movement.

Overweight or improperly loaded cargo affects braking and steering; check axle weights and do not exceed posted bridge or road limits.

Hazardous materials require placards, shipping papers, and specific securement; the driver must know the proper emergency response information.

Property-carrying CMV drivers: 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty; 14-hour on-duty window; 60-hour/7-day or 70-hour/8-day limit.

A 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving without at least a 30-minute interruption of driving.

Sleeper berth split: drivers may split the required 10 hours off duty into two periods, one of at least 7 hours and one of at least 2 hours, as long as the total is 10 hours.

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

Drivers must keep a record of duty status (RODS) for each 24-hour period, using paper logs or an ELD, and retain records for 6 months.

ELD (electronic logging device) use is mandatory for most interstate CMV drivers; AOBRD grandfathering ended, and ELD malfunctions require paper logs.

Short-haul exception: drivers operating within a 150-air-mile radius and returning to the work-reporting location within 14 hours may use time records instead of RODS.

Penalties for HOS violations include fines and out-of-service orders; falsifying logs is a serious violation that can result in license suspension.

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) protects employees from retaliation for reporting safety violations or refusing to operate an unsafe vehicle.

A driver who reports a violation or refuses to drive an unsafe vehicle is protected from discharge, discipline, or discrimination.

Complaints under STAA must be filed with OSHA within 180 days of the alleged retaliation.

CDL holders must notify their employer and the state within 30 days of a conviction for a traffic violation, other than a parking violation.

Serious traffic violations (excessive speeding, reckless driving, improper lane change, following too closely) can result in CDL suspension or disqualification.

Disqualification: a first DUI or refusal to submit to testing results in a 1-year CDL disqualification; a second offense results in a lifetime disqualification.

Medical certification: interstate CMV drivers must maintain a valid medical examiner's certificate and provide it to the state; the certificate is typically valid for up to 2 years.

Drug and alcohol testing: drivers are subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable-suspicion, and return-to-duty testing under FMCSA rules.

Check the fifth wheel and kingpin: the locking jaws must be fully closed around the kingpin, and the release handle must be in the locked position with a safety latch engaged.

Check the air lines and electrical cord: they must be secure, free of cracks or leaks, and have enough slack to allow turns without dragging.

Landing gear must be fully raised and the crank handle secured; a low landing gear can strike the road on a bump.

Check the coupling system: the trailer apron must contact the fifth wheel, and the gap between the tractor and trailer should be correct.

Inspect the exhaust system for leaks, loose parts, and damage; exhaust leaks can allow carbon monoxide into the cab.

Check the frame and cross members for cracks, bends, or loose bolts; a cracked frame can fail under load.

Check the suspension: springs, spring hangers, shackles, and u-bolts must be intact; missing or broken leaves are defects.

Check the steering system: steering wheel play should not exceed 10 degrees (about 2 inches at the rim) before the front wheels begin to move.

Use the accelerator smoothly; sudden acceleration can cause wheel spin on slippery roads and wastes fuel.

The parking brake must be set before leaving the cab; a runaway vehicle is a serious hazard.

When starting on a hill, use the parking brake or clutch/accelerator coordination to prevent rolling backward.

Use the turn signals well in advance of a turn, and cancel them after completing the turn.

When making a right turn, swing wide enough to keep the rear wheels from hitting the curb; off-tracking is greater for longer vehicles.

When making a left turn, do not cut the corner; the rear wheels track inside the front wheels and can strike a vehicle or pedestrian.

Use the horn only when necessary to warn others; do not use it to express frustration.

At night, dim the headlights for oncoming traffic within 500 feet and for vehicles ahead within 200 feet.

Use the clutch only for starting, stopping, and shifting; resting your foot on the clutch causes premature wear.

When shifting, do not look at the shift lever; keep your eyes on the road.

On a steep downgrade, downshift before the grade; waiting until the vehicle speeds up makes shifting harder and risks brake overheating.

Do not shift into neutral to coast; you lose engine braking and the ability to accelerate quickly.

If the transmission is hard to shift, the cause may be a clutch adjustment problem or a worn synchronizer; report it for repair.

Use the correct gear for the load and terrain; a heavy load requires lower gears on hills.

When stopped on a hill, use the parking brake to hold the vehicle; do not hold it with the clutch.

Automatic transmissions may have a manual mode; use it to select a lower gear on downgrades.

Use a spotter whenever possible; the spotter should stand where the driver can see them in the mirror.

If you lose sight of the spotter, stop immediately and re-establish visual contact.

Back slowly and be ready to stop; pedestrians and vehicles may enter the area behind the trailer.

Use the mirrors to check both sides of the trailer; do not rely on the rear window alone.

When backing into a dock, align the trailer with the dock and back straight in; use the mirrors to check clearance.

If the trailer begins to jackknife, stop and pull forward to straighten it; do not continue backing.

Backing at night requires extra caution; use the backup lights and check for obstacles.

Never back on a public road unless necessary; if you must, use hazard lights and a spotter.

The total stopping distance for a CMV is much longer than for a car; a fully loaded tractor-trailer can take 300 feet or more to stop from 55 mph.

Increase following distance when carrying a heavy load, since braking distance increases.

Reduce speed in work zones; workers may be close to the travel lane.

Use the vehicle's mirrors to monitor traffic behind and beside you; a vehicle in your blind spot may not be visible.

When passing, allow enough time and space; a CMV needs more time to pass than a car.

When being passed, maintain speed and lane position; do not speed up.

On wet roads, reduce speed to avoid hydroplaning; hydroplaning occurs when tires lose contact with the road.

On curves, slow down before the curve and accelerate gently through it; braking in a curve can cause a skid.

Watch for vehicles entering from side roads; they may not see you or may misjudge your speed.

Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists, especially in urban areas and near schools.

Watch for animals, especially in rural areas; deer are most active at dawn and dusk.

Watch for road debris; a tire or ladder in the road can cause a crash.

Use your mirrors to monitor traffic behind; a vehicle following too closely is a hazard.

Anticipate the actions of other drivers; assume they may not see you.

In construction zones, watch for lane closures and flaggers.

In bad weather, reduce speed and increase following distance.

If the brakes fail, downshift and use the parking brake gradually; look for an escape ramp.

If a tire blows, hold the wheel firmly and slow down gradually; do not brake hard.

If a fire starts, stop and evacuate; call 911.

If you are in a crash, stop and render aid; exchange information and report the crash.

If you are stranded, stay with the vehicle and call for help; do not walk in traffic.

If the vehicle stalls on railroad tracks, evacuate and call the railroad emergency number.

If you are involved in a hazardous materials incident, keep people away and call for help.

If you are tired, stop and rest; drowsy driving is a major cause of crashes.

Check the load securement before, during, and after the trip; tiedowns can loosen.

Use the correct type of tiedown for the cargo; chains for heavy loads, straps for lighter loads.

Do not exceed the working load limit of the tiedowns.

Secure cargo so it cannot shift; use blocking and bracing.

Check the load height; low bridges and overpasses can strike tall loads.

Check the load weight; do not exceed axle or bridge limits.

Hazardous materials require placards and shipping papers.

Cargo must not obscure lights, reflectors, or the license plate.

The 11-hour driving limit applies after 10 consecutive hours off duty.

The 14-hour window includes all on-duty time; you cannot drive after the 14th hour.

The 30-minute break is required after 8 cumulative hours of driving.

The 34-hour restart resets the 60/70-hour cycle.

Keep RODS for 6 months.

ELDs are mandatory for most interstate drivers.

The short-haul exception applies within 150 air miles.

Falsifying logs is a serious violation.

STAA protects drivers who report safety violations.

Complaints must be filed with OSHA within 180 days.

Notify the state of traffic convictions within 30 days.

Serious traffic violations can result in CDL suspension.

A first DUI results in a 1-year disqualification.

A second DUI results in a lifetime disqualification.

Maintain a valid medical certificate.

Drug and alcohol testing is required under FMCSA rules.