Page 91 - 2021-2022 Commercial Drivers Manual

SECTION 13 : ON-ROAD DRIVING

• Continue to check traffic thoroughly in all • Before entering the curve, reduce speed so You will be scored on your overall per-

directions. further braking or shifting is not required formance in the following general driving
in the curve. behavior categories:
When exiting the expressway:
• Keep vehicle in the lane.

• Make necessary traffic checks. 13.1.11 – Clutch Usage

• Continue checking traffic in all directions. (for Manual Transmission)

• Use proper signals.

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• Decelerate smoothly in the exit lane. 13.1.8 Railroad Crossing • Always use clutch to shift.

• Double-clutch when shifting. Do not rev or
• Once on the exit ramp, you must continue Before reaching the crossing, all commercial

to decelerate within the lane markings and drivers should: lug the engine.
maintain adequate spacing between your • Do not ride clutch to control speed, coast with

vehicle and other vehicles. • Decelerate, brake smoothly, and shift gears the clutch depressed, or “pop” the clutch.
as necessary.
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13.1.6 Stop/Start • Look and listen for the presence of trains. 13.1.12 – Gear Usage

(for Manual Transmission)

For this maneuver, you will be asked to pull • Check traffic in all directions.
your vehicle over to the side of the road and Do not stop, change gears, pass another ve- • Do not grind or clash gears.

stop as if you were going to get out and check hicle, or change lanes while any part of your • Select gear that does not rev or lug engine.

something on your vehicle. You must check vehicle is in the crossing.
traffic thoroughly in all directions and move to If you are driving a bus, a school bus, or a • Do not shift in turns and intersections.

the right-most lane or shoulder of road. vehicle displaying placards, you should be
As you prepare for the stop: 13.1.13 – Brake Usage
prepared to observe the following procedures

• Check traffic. at every railroad crossing (unless the crossing • Do not ride or pump brake.
is exempt):

• Activate your right turn signal. • Do not brake harshly. Brake smoothly using
• As the vehicle approaches a railroad crossing, steady pressure.

• Decelerate smoothly, brake evenly, change
gears as necessary. activate the four-way flashers. 13.1.14 – Lane Usage
• Stop the vehicle within 50 feet but not less

• Bring your vehicle to a full stop without than 15 feet from the nearest rail. • Do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks, or

coasting. lane markings.
• Listen and look in both directions along the

Once stopped:

track for an approaching train and for signals • Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks, or stop

• Vehicle must be parallel to the curb or shoul- indicating the approach of a train. If operat- signs.
der of the road and safely out of the traffic ing a bus, you may also be required to open • Complete a turn in the proper lane on a mul-
flow. the window and door prior to crossing tracks.
tiple lane road (vehicle should finish a left

• Vehicle should not be blocking driveways, • Keep hands on the steering wheel as the ve- turn in the lane directly to the right of the
fire hydrants, intersections, signs, etc. hicle crosses the tracks. center line).

• Cancel your turn signal. • Do not stop, change gears, or change lanes • Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb)
while any part of your vehicle is proceeding lane.

• Activate your four-way emergency flashers.
across the tracks. • Move to or remain in right-most lane unless

• Apply the parking brake.

• Four-way flashers should be deactivated after lane is blocked.
• Move the gear shift to neutral or park. the vehicle crosses the tracks.

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13.1.15 Steering

• Remove your feet from the brake and clutch • Continue to check mirrors and traffic.
pedals. • Do not over or under steer the vehicle.

Not all driving road test routes will have a

When instructed to resume: railroad crossing. You may be asked to explain • Keep both hands on the steering wheel at
and demonstrate the proper railroad crossing all times unless shifting. Once you have
• Check traffic and your mirrors thoroughly procedures to the examiner at a simulated lo- completed shift, return both hands to the

in all directions.
cation. steering wheel.

• Turn off your four-way flashers.
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13.1.9 Bridge/Overpass/Sign 13.1.16 – Regular Traffic Checks
• Activate the left turn signal.

After driving under an overpass, you may be • Check traffic regularly.

• When traffic permits, you should release the
parking brake and pull straight ahead. asked to tell the examiner what the posted clear- • Check mirrors regularly.

ance or height was. After going over a bridge,
• Do not turn the wheel before your vehicle you may be asked to tell the examiner what the • Check mirrors and traffic before, while in

moves. posted weight limit was. If your test route does and after an intersection.
not have a bridge or overpass, you may be asked

• Check traffic from all directions, especially • Scan and check traffic in high volume areas
to the left. about another traffic sign. When asked, be pre- and areas where pedestrians are expected
pared to identify and explain to the examiner to be present.

• Steer and accelerate smoothly into the proper any traffic sign which may appear on the route.
lane when safe to do so. 13.1.17 – Use of Turn Signals
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13.1.10 Student Discharge

• Once your vehicle is back into the flow of (School Bus)

traffic, cancel your left turn signal. • Use turn signals properly.

If you are applying for a School Bus endorse- • Activate turn signals when required.
13.1.7 – Curve ment, you will be required to demonstrate load-

ing and unloading students. Please refer to sec- • Activate turn signals at appropriate times.
When approaching a curve:

tion 10 of this manual for procedures on loading • Cancel turn signals upon completion of a

• Check traffic thoroughly in all directions. and unloading school students. turn or lane change.
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