Page 21 - Georgia Commercial Drivers Manual 2020
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2SECTION : DRIVING SAFETY
• Condition of steering system. Right Rear Left Side
»» No loose, worn, bent, damaged or miss- • Condition of wheels and rims--no missing, • Check all items as done on right side, plus:
ing parts.
»» Must grab steering mechanism to test for bent, or broken spacers, studs, clamps, or lugs. »» Battery(ies) (if not mounted in engine com-
looseness. • Condition of tires--properly inflated, valve partment).
• Condition of windshield. stems and caps OK, no serious cuts, bulges, »» Battery box(es) securely mounted to vehicle.
»» Check for damage and clean if dirty. tread wear, tires not rubbing each other, and »» Box has secure cover.
»» Check windshield wiper arms for proper nothing stuck between them. »» Battery(ies) secured against movement.
spring tension. • Tires same type, e.g., not mixed radial and »» Battery(ies) not broken or leaking.
»» Check wiper blades for damage, “stiff” bias types. »» Fluid in battery(ies) at proper level (except
rubber, and securement. • Tires evenly matched (same sizes).
• Wheel bearing/seals not leaking. maintenance-free type).
• Lights and reflectors. • Suspension. »» Cell caps present and securely tightened
»» Parking, clearance, and identification »» Condition of spring(s), spring hangers,
lights clean, operating, and proper color (except maintenance-free type).
(amber at front). shackles, and u-bolts. »» Vents in cell caps free of foreign material
»» Reflectors clean and proper color (amber »» Axle secure.
at front). »» Powered axle(s) not leaking lube (gear oil). (except maintenance-free type).
»» Right front turn signal light clean, operat- »» Condition of torque rod arms, bushings.
ing, and proper color (amber or white on »» Condition of shock absorber(s). Step 6: Check Signal Lights
signals facing forward). »» If retractable axle equipped, check con- • Get In and Turn Off Lights
Right Side dition of lift mechanism. If air powered, »» Turn off all lights.
• Right front: check all items as done on left check for leaks. »» Turn on stop lights (apply trailer hand
»» Condition of air ride components.
front. • Brakes. brake or have a helper put on the brake
• Primary and secondary safety cab locks en- »» Brake adjustment. pedal).
»» Condition of brake drum(s) or discs. »» Turn on left turn signal lights.
gaged (if cab-over-engine design). »» Condition of hoses--look for any wear due • Get Out and Check Lights
Right fuel tank(s). to rubbing. »» Left front turn signal light clean, operat-
»» Securely mounted, not damaged, or leak- • Lights and reflectors. ing and proper color (amber or white on
»» Side-marker lights clean, operating, and signals facing the front).
ing. proper color (red at rear, others amber). »» Left rear turn signal light and both stop
»» Fuel crossover line secure. »» Side-marker reflectors clean and proper lights clean, operating, and proper color
»» Tank(s) contain enough fuel. color (red at rear, others amber). (red, yellow, or amber).
»» Cap(s) on and secure. Rear • Get In Vehicle
• Condition of visible parts. • Lights and reflectors. »» Turn off lights not needed for driving.
»» Rear of engine--not leaking. »» Rear clearance and identification lights »» Check for all required papers, trip mani-
»» Transmission--not leaking. clean, operating, and proper color (red at fests, permits, etc.
»» Exhaust system--secure, not leaking, not rear). »» Secure all loose articles in cab (they might
»» Reflectors clean and proper color (red at interfere with operation of the controls or
touching wires, fuel, or air lines. rear). hit you in a crash).
»» DEF Tank -ensure the level of diesel ex- »» Taillights clean, operating, and proper »» Start the engine.
color (red at rear).
haust fluid in the tank is adequate (more »» Right rear turn signal operating, and Step 7: Start the Engine and Check
than 1/8 th tank) proper color (red, yellow, or amber at rear). Test for Hydraulic Leaks. If the vehicle has
»» Frame and cross members--no bends or • License plate(s) present, clean, and secured. hydraulic brakes, pump the brake pedal three
cracks. • Splash guards present, not damaged, prop- times. Then apply firm pressure to the pedal
»» Air lines and electrical wiring--secured erly fastened, not dragging on ground, or and hold for five seconds. The pedal should
against snagging, rubbing, wearing. rubbing tires. not move. If it does, there may be a leak or other
»» Spare tire carrier or rack not damaged (if • Cargo secure (trucks). problem. Get it fixed before driving. If the ve-
so equipped). • Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, hicle has air brakes, do the checks described in
»» Spare tire and/or wheel securely mounted chained, etc. Sections 5 and 6 of this manual.
in rack. Tailboards up and properly secured. Brake System
»» Spare tire and wheel adequate (proper size, • End gates free of damage, properly secured • Test Parking Brake(s)
properly inflated). in stake sockets.
• Cargo securement (trucks). • Canvas or tarp (if required) properly secured »» Fasten safety belt
»» Cargo properly blocked, braced, tied, to prevent tearing, billowing, or blocking of »» Set parking brake (power unit only).
chained, etc. either the rearview mirrors or rear lights. »» Release trailer parking brake (if applicable).
»» Header board adequate, secure (if re- • If over-length, or over-width, make sure all »» Place vehicle into a low gear.
quired). signs and/or additional lights/flags are safely »» Gently pull forward against parking brake
»» Side boards, stakes strong enough, free and properly mounted and all required per-
of damage, properly set in place (if so mits are in driver’s possession. to make sure the parking brake holds.
equipped). • Rear doors securely closed, latched/locked. »» Repeat the same steps for the trailer with
»» Canvas or tarp (if required) properly se-
cured to prevent tearing, billowing, or trailer parking brake set and power unit
blocking of mirrors. parking brakes released (if applicable).
»» If oversize, all required signs (flags, lamps, If it doesn’t hold vehicle, it is faulty; get it
and reflectors) safely and properly mount- fixed.
ed and all required permits in driver’s pos- • Test Service Brake Stopping Action
session. »» Go about five miles per hour.
»» Curbside cargo compartment doors in »» Push brake pedal firmly
good condition, securely closed, latched/ »» “Pulling” to one side or the other can mean
locked and required security seals in place. brake trouble.
»» Any unusual brake pedal “feel” or delayed
stopping action can mean trouble.
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