CDL: Basic Vehicle Control
Basic Control of Your Vehicle: Accelerating, Steering, Stopping, and Backing
Before a commercial driver can worry about traffic, weather, or long hauls, they need to master the fundamentals: getting the vehicle moving smoothly, keeping it pointed where it needs to go, bringing it to a safe stop, and backing up without incident. These four skills form the foundation of everything else you'll do behind the wheel.
Operating a commercial vehicle safely comes down to controlling its speed and direction, which breaks down into four core skills: accelerating, steering, stopping, and backing safely. Two habits apply across all of them — always wear your seatbelt while on the road, and always set the parking brake whenever you step away from the vehicle.
Accelerating Smoothly and Safely
One of the first things to avoid when starting from a stop is rolling backward, which could result in hitting whatever — or whoever — is behind you. If you're driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, partially engage the clutch before taking your foot off the brake. Use the parking brake whenever necessary to prevent rollback, and only release it once you've applied enough power to keep the vehicle from sliding back. On a tractor-trailer equipped with a trailer brake hand valve, that valve can also be used to hold the vehicle in place while starting out.
Accelerate smoothly and gradually so the vehicle doesn't jerk forward. Rough acceleration can cause mechanical damage, and if you're pulling a trailer, it can also damage the coupling between the two vehicles.
When traction is limited — such as on wet or snowy roads — ease into the throttle even more gradually. Applying too much power can cause the drive wheels to spin, and once that happens, you risk losing control. If you feel the drive wheels start to spin, ease off the accelerator immediately.
Steering with Control
Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands, positioned on opposite sides of the wheel. This grip matters more than it might seem: if you strike a curb or hit a pothole, a loose grip could let the wheel get yanked out of your hands.
Stopping Smoothly
Apply the brake pedal gradually rather than stomping on it. How much pressure you need depends on your current speed and how quickly the situation requires you to stop. The goal is to control that pressure carefully enough to bring the vehicle to a smooth, controlled stop. If you're driving a vehicle with a manual transmission, push the clutch in once the engine speed nears idle.
Backing Up Safely
Because you can never see everything behind a commercial vehicle, backing up is inherently risky — and should be avoided whenever there's another option. When parking, try to position the vehicle so you can simply pull forward when it's time to leave, sidestepping the need to back up at all. When backing is unavoidable, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Start from the proper position
- Study your intended path before moving
- Use both side mirrors
- Back up slowly
- Back and turn toward the driver's side whenever you can
- Use a helper whenever one is available
Start in the Right Position
Positioning your vehicle correctly beforehand makes the backing maneuver itself much safer. The ideal position will vary depending on the type of backing maneuver you're performing.
Study Your Path First
Before you begin, look over your intended line of travel. Get out and walk the path if needed, checking your clearance both to the sides and overhead along the route the vehicle will take.
Check Your Mirrors Frequently
Glance at both outside mirrors often throughout the maneuver. If you're ever unsure of your surroundings, stop, get out, and check your path again in person.
Back Up Slowly
Always use the lowest reverse gear available and back up as slowly as possible. Moving slowly gives you more room to correct steering mistakes, and lets you stop quickly if something unexpected happens.
Favor the Driver's Side
Whenever possible, back and turn toward the driver's side of the vehicle rather than the passenger side. Backing toward the right is considerably more dangerous because visibility is so much more limited. Turning toward the driver's side lets you monitor the rear of the vehicle by looking out your own window — and this benefit is worth the extra effort of going around the block to get into position, if that's what it takes.
Use a Helper When You Can
A helper can see blind spots that you simply can't from the driver's seat. If a helper is available, have them stand where you can see them near the rear of the vehicle, and agree on a clear set of hand signals before you start backing — including, most importantly, a signal for "stop."
These four basics — smooth acceleration, a firm steering grip, controlled stopping, and cautious backing — might seem simple compared to some of the more advanced skills covered elsewhere in the manual. But they're the building blocks every other safe-driving technique depends on, and mastering them is essential both for passing your CDL exam and for a long, incident-free driving career.