Page 64 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 8 : TANK VEHICLES

with heavy liquids. The amount of liquid to load TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
into a tank depends on:
• The amount the liquid will expand in transit. Section 8
• The weight of the liquid. • How are bulkheads different than baffles? • What three things determine how much
• Legal weight limits. liquid you can load?
• Should a tank vehicle take curves, on
ramps, or off ramps at the posted speed • What is outage?
8.3 – Safe Driving Rules limits? • How can you help control surge?
• How are smooth bore tankers different to
In order to drive tank vehicles safely, you drive than those with baffles? • What two reasons make special care
must remember to follow all the safe driving necessary when driving tank vehicles?
rules. A few of these rules are: These questions may be on the test. If you can’t answer them all, re-read Section 8.
8.3.1 – Drive Smoothly
Because of the high center of gravity and the
surge of the liquid, you must start, slow down,
and stop very smoothly. Also, make smooth
turns and lane changes.
8.3.2 – Controlling Surge 8.3.3 – Curves 8.3.5 – Skids
Slow down before curves, then accelerate Don’t over steer, over accelerate, or over
Keep a steady pressure on the brakes. Do not slightly through the curve. The posted speed brake. If you do, your vehicle may skid. On tank
release too soon when coming to a stop. for a curve may be too fast for a tank vehicle. trailers, if your drive wheels or trailer wheels
Brake far in advance of a stop and increase begin to skid, your vehicle may jackknife. When
your following distance. 8.3.4 – Stopping Distance any vehicle starts to skid, you must take action
If you must make a quick stop to avoid a to restore traction to the wheels.
crash, use controlled or stab braking. If you do Keep in mind how much space you need to
not remember how to stop using these methods, stop your vehicle. Remember that wet roads dou-
review subsection 2.17.2. Also, remember that if ble the normal stopping distance. Empty tank
you steer quickly while braking, your vehicle vehicles may take longer to stop than full ones.
may roll over.

IMPORTANT NOTICE!!

Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) Effective February 7, 2022

FMCSA’s Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations set the baseline for training requirements for entry-level drivers. This
includes those applying to:
• Obtain a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time;
• Upgrade an existing Class B CDL to a Class A CDL; or
• Obtain a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.
The ELDT regulations are not retroactive; the entry-level driver training requirements do not apply to individuals holding a valid CDL
or an S, P, or H endorsement issued prior to February 7, 2022.

If an applicant who obtains a CLP prior to February 7, 2022, obtains a CDL before the CLP or renewed CLP expires, the applicant is
not subject to the ELDT requirements.

For more information about the ELDT regulations and the Training Provider registry, visit https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.

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