Page 20 - Draft 2023 2024 CDL Manual w Modernization Info

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

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