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The Commercial Drivers License
WHAT THE EXAMINER WILL LOOK FOR
The examiner will watch for certain actions as you go through the
test. You should practice each of the test items to make sure you
do them correctly.
This section explains what the examiner will be checking.
Left/Right Turns
As you approach each turn you
Check traffic. Look ahead, left, right, and to the rear using
your mirrors.
Signal. Turn on the turn signal at least 100 feet before the
turn.
Slow down: Slow smoothly and change gears as needed to keep power.
Do not coast with your foot on the clutch.
Position your vehicle. Get into the correct lane and position
your vehicle to make the turn. You should time your arrival so stopping
isnt necessary. If you must stop prior to the turn, the examiner
will check if you:
Maintain gap. Stop far enough back so you can see the rear wheels
of the vehicle in front.
Stop in correct place. Stop so your vehicle is not in the intersection,
not over the stop line and not in the crosswalk.
Stop fully. You cannot coast; come to a full stop.
Keep wheels straight. You must keep your wheels straight ahead
while stopped. While turning, the examiner will check if you:
Check traffic.
Keep both hands on the wheel.
Change gears. Dont change gears during the turn. Gear changing
is allowed to get started from the stop.
Maintain smooth speed. Make the turns smoothly without stops.
Turn correctly. Dont turn too wide or short. Do not go over
or touch the curb or cause other traffic to back up.
As you complete the turn, the examiner will check to see if you:
Check traffic.
Are in the correct lane. You must finish the turn in the correct
lane. For a left turn use the left lane and the right turn use the
right lane.
Cancel the signal after the rear of the vehicle has completed
the turn.
For left turns accelerate and move right. Accelerate smoothly
and move into the right lane when traffic is clear. Railroad Crossings
When crossing railroad tracks the examiner will check that you:
Check traffic. You should look left and right, listen, and you
may open door on buses.
Do not change gears while on the tracks.
Do not stop or brake on the tracks and do not make lane changes
or pass on the tracks. Keep to posted speed limits. Stop on Grades
The examiner will have you stop and start on a grade. When stopping
on a grade:
Check traffic prior to stopping, especially to your right.
Turn signals on.
Position the vehicle on the right side of the roadway.
Slow down smoothly, changing gears to keep power; do not coast.
Do not hit curb. Once stopped, the examiner will check that you:
Have positioned the vehicle parallel and within 12" from the
curb or edge of the roadway.
Do not let the vehicle roll forward or backwards.
Cancel the turn signal and turn on 4-way flashers.
Put on the parking brake, put the gear shift in neutral or park,
release the foot brake, and take foot off the clutch. Start On Grades
The examiner will tell you to continue and check that you:
Check traffic.
Turn 4-way flashers off and left turn signal on.
Release the parking brake, put vehicle in gear, and do not turn
the steering wheel before the vehicle moves.
Do not stall engine when starting or roll backwards.
Continue to check traffic.
Accelerate smoothly and blend with traffic.
Cancel turn signal after the rear of the vehicle enters traffic
lane.
Driving Up Grades As you drive up a grade, the examiner will check
that you:
Select the proper gear and change gears to maintain speed and
do not lug the engine.
Stay in the right most lane.
Keep hands on the steering wheel.
Use 4-way flashers if too slow for traffic.
Check traffic especially to the left and rear (use both left
and right mirrors at least every 10 seconds). Driving Down Grades
As you drive down a grade the examiner will check that you:
Select proper gear (lower gear) before the grade. Only gentle
to moderate braking should be needed to control speed and engine
RPMs.
Do not ride the clutch.
Check brakes by applying them before the grade.
Use snub braking method to descend grade.
Stay in the right most lane and maintain correct following distance.
Check traffic especially to the left and rear using both left
and right mirrors at least every 10 seconds. Intersections If you
stop at an intersection, the examiner will check the same items
as when you stop for a turn except for the actual turn itself. As
you drive through intersections, the examiner will check that you:
Check for traffic before entering intersection.
yield to pedestrians and other traffic as required.
Do not change lanes in the intersection.
Do not change gears in the intersection.
Do not lug or rev engine.
Smoothly drive through the intersection without disrupting traffic.
Straight Roads As you drive down a straight city or county road
the examiner will check that you:
Regularly check traffic, watch for hazards and look far enough
ahead (12 to 15 seconds).
Check both left and right mirrors at least every 10 seconds.
Select proper lane and stay to the center of the lane without
wandering back and forth.
Maintain correct speed and avoid continual slowing up, stopping,
and accelerating.
Maintain correct following distance. One second per 10 feet of
vehicle length plus one additional second for speed over 40 mph.
Changing Lanes When you must change lanes, the examiner will check
that you:
Check traffic to front and rear especially the blind spot.
Signal the lane change.
Do not tailgate while waiting to change lanes.
Make a smooth lane change and maintain your speed and allow correct
distance between all vehicles.
Cancel signal after rear of vehicle completes lane change. Curves
In curves the examiner will check that you:
Reduce your speed before the curve.
Do not brake while in the curve.
Maintain your speed during the curve without a strong pull to
the side.
Keep all vehicle wheels in your lane.
Continually check traffic and use your mirrors to watch the tracking
of your vehicle. Warning/Information Signs As you go under an underpass
or over a bridge the examiner may ask you:
The posted height of the underpass.
The weight limit of the bridge.
You may be asked about information on a specific sign that relates
to a commercial vehicle.
Freeway Driving As you merge on to the freeway the examiner will
check that you:
Check traffic front and rear, left and right.
Check the blind spot.
Signal soon enough so freeway traffic can see the signal.
Merge without stopping.
Use acceleration lane to accelerate to traffic flow.
Merge smoothly while maintaining following distance.
Move to center of driving lane and cancel signal. When changing
lanes on the freeway the examiner will check that you:
Check traffic front and rear, especially blind spots.
Signal the lane change.
Do not tailgate while waiting to change lanes.
Make a smooth lane change, maintain your speed, and allow correct
distance between all vehicles.
Cancel signal after rear of vehicle enters exit ramp. As you
exit the freeway the examiner will check that you:
Check traffic front and rear, left and especially to the right
and in blind spots.
Signal the exit. Smoothly enter the exit lane at the start
of the exit lane.
Slow down in the deceleration lane.
Do not exceed the ramp speed and have no noticeable pull to
the side on the ramp curve.
Do not tailgate on the ramp.
Cancel signal. Backing During the test, you will be required
to back up your vehicle. The examiner will check you as you back
in a straight line and as you back to the left or right. Make sure
you:
Check your backing area.
Sound your horn as a warning if your vehicle is not equipped
with a backup warning device.
Turn on 4-way flashers. Control your vehicle while backing.
Do not run over curbs or course markings.
Stop when directed by the examiner.
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